UNLESS LISTED HERE HORISUZU WILL ONLY BE TRAVELING BETWEEN TOKYO AND PORTLAND REGULARLY.

9-15 OCTOBER-2018
AUSTIN-TEXAS

17-20 OCTOBER-2018
BLACK RAT TATTOO
LAS CRUCES-NEW MEXICO

21 OCTOBER-2018
GHOST KNIFE
ALBUQUERQUE-NEW MEXICO

25-31 OCTOBER-2018
MAUI-HAWAII

NOVEMBER-JANUARY 2018-2019
TOKYO-RYUGENDO

13 MARCH-7 APRIL-2019
TOKYO-RYUGENDO

HORISUZU is currently accepting new clients. New clients requesting work please feel free to contact Horisuzu directly. When contacting him please include the following information. Motif or story you would like, placement, photos of any existing tattoos in the area, where you live, your weekly availability or requested dates if traveling and contact information with name, email address and phone contact.

PLEASE NOTE-HORISUZU will be closing his books to new clients at the Portland studio starting September 9th 2018. After this he will not be opening his books to new Portland clients until 2020. All new client inquiries for Portland after this date will be put on the waiting list for when books open in 2020. This will not effect those who are booking for conventions, guest appearances, existing clients or those booking at the Tokyo studio.

CONTACT HORISUZU

HORISORA is currently accepting a limited number of clients for her return visits to Portland. You can contact her directly by clicking below

CONTACT HORISORA

Horisora now has an individual website, to see her work, contact info and travel schedule please check her website HERE

Starting in 2018 Horisora will begin working full time in Albuquerque New Mexico at Ghost Knife Tattoo. She will return regularly to Portland to work on a limited selection of clients. If you would like to book an appointment with her at either the Portland studio during one of her visits or her home studio in Albuquerque please contact her directly. Contact Horisora

Horisuzu did an interview with the founder of the popular Irezumi blog IREBOKURO.

Name: Horisuzu

Location: Portland Oregon USA with frequent trips to Tokyo Japan

Website: www.horisuzu.com

Machine or Tebori: Both

Years experience: 13

What was your first impression seeing Japanese tattoos?

I didn’t grow up seeing tattoos so when I saw a full back japanese tattoo for the first time it really moved me. It was something so overwhelming in its execution by the artist and endurance by the client that it was the highest ideal of tattooing to me and still is. I was instantly drawn towards it. It really is a stunning sight to see in person because most people only see it in photos they don’t get to feel its power fully.

Describe your journey into the tattoo industry, and how you became an apprentice?

My journey has many beginnings. The most pivotal part would be gaining an introduction to my master. I was very fortunate to have a friend that believed in my sincerity and at my urging set up a meeting with my master. Introductions are important in Japan and it speaks to the kind of person you are by who will vouch for you. In these days things are changing across the board but I still value that I came into this world in this way.

How do you feel about maintaining and studying traditions within your work?

That is a very difficult thing to do while working outside of Japan. In the one hand you must preserve the traditions you’ve been taught, they are too important to ever disregard or lose. However you must adapt given the lessons you’ve learned and serve as a bridge of sorts between western clients and Japanese tattooing. It is best if conflict arises in a situation to stand on the side of tradition regardless of the outcome.

As far as studying the traditions I could really speak for hours on that but I think to put it roughly I don’t think that just being Japanese or living in Japan is enough. Honestly I think it would be very difficult for anyone to really get that foundation outside of spending time with their master. He serves as your guiding light and is a bit like a father teaching you life’s lessons. It’s really hard to explain fully.

Who or what are your biggest inspirations?

My Master is of course my number one influence and was before he was my master. I try not focus on the same sources every time. I have sourced prints however in these days I focus on various mediums in Japan such as Inro and temple carvings. I feel like these have a connection to the average person and they get overlooked by most people working outside of Japan since you need to go to Japan to really experience it. I like to see works from Hokusai, Zeshin, Kano Kazunobu and Kano Hogai.

Do you have any advice for people wanting to get Japanese tattoos?

Support tradition and get tattooed by people who are committed to this craft. If you want a traditional tattoo then it is not hard to find an artist committed to that style. If you have patience then you can succeed in your search.

A brief interview with SAS

SAS-How did you become a Tattooist?

HORISUZU- I originally learned western style tattooing but after some time doing that I traveled to Japan to find my Master so after I became his apprentice I returned to America and left western tattooing behind to focus wholeheartedly on Japanese tattooing.

SAS- What other jobs have you done?

HS- I became a tattooer right after finishing high school so my job history isn't really diverse. While in school I worked in a color store and an office supplies store. I also did construction in Summer break like most people my age.

SAS-Whats your proudest moment in your profession?

Horisuzu- the proudest moment for me is when I had a client with a really bad tattoo on their forearm. He was always covering his tattoo even in summertime. It was hard for him so when I covered it he had freedom again. I realized that my tattoos gave some power back to my client so it made me very proud.

SAS-What are you working on right now?

Horisuzu-Right now I'm working on finding a good balance between work, travel and illustrations. I've been working on a book of designs that I hope to complete in the coming years.

SAS-What do you do when you aren't working?

Horisuzu-I am usually working on some sort of work related project. Like I mentioned before I am trying to find balance. Traveling makes me very happy so I try to incorporate that into my life as much as possible.

SAS-Which city will you visit next?

Horisuzu- I always return to Tokyo regularly but I really want to explore more of Europe especially the Scandinavian region.

SAS-Who is your best friend?

Horisuzu-My best friend is @cloakandhammer I taught him western tattooing before I left for Japanese tattooing and out relationship is really one more like brothers. He's developed so much over the years that its sometimes weird to think back on those early days.

SAS-Biggest dream?

Horisuzu-Thats a difficult one, I think my dream is to see my tattoo lineage live on in the coming generations and be known for our quality of work, integrity and kindness. For my personal life I want to stay healthy and keep working.

SAS-Biggest Nightmare?

Horisuzu-The opposite of my dream, that or dying in a plane crash.

SAS-Earliest memory of Tattoos?

Horisuzu-First tattoos I saw very Polynesian Tatau. I think that I was maybe 13 or 12 years old. Thats the first timeI really took notice of tattooing. It was seeing the entire scale of the design that really clicked a switch in my head. I just became obsessed with all things tattoo after that.