Tattoo Pioneers: Horihide (Hideo Kakimoto)

Born in Tsurumaki, Japan, Hideo Kakimoto aka Horihide (1929-2017) was one of Japan’s most prolific traditional tattoo artists. Self-taught, Horihide started tattooing at the age of 22 with a career spanning 60 years; completing an estimated 500 large scale pieces ranging from sleeves, back pieces and full body suits.

Influential to Japanese tattooing’s introduction to western culture, Horihide is considered to be a driving force having implemented traditional motifs and styles still seen today. Horihide tattooed up until his death but his legacy lives on through his body of work, books, and the countless artists he’s inspired.