At Sunset Tattoo in Auckland, we are striving to be the official home of Japanese tattooing in New Zealand. We have a handful of super talented artists who have chosen to specialise in this widely revered style of tattooing. Today we’re talking to Horimatsu Bunshin, who was born in Osaka, Japan, and specialises in Tebori tattooing. Tebori is a traditional Japanese method of hand poke tattooing, using an instrument called a “Nomi”. A Nomi is a hand held, long instrument usually made from wood with needles at the tip which insert ink into the skin. “Tebori” translates to “hand carving” which sounds a little frightening, but most clients find this traditional process to be a lot less painful and traumatic on the skin. Horimatsu uses modern machinery when outlining his tattoos, as this is method is far superior when it comes to pulling clean lines, especially when the subject matter being tattooed has a lot of curve to it. All shading is done by Tebori. Horimatsu has travelled many places around the world to travel and tattoo, and when not tattooing at Sunset, you can generally find Horimatsu on Cross Street dining at his favourite lunch spot, the much celebrated dumpling spot Top Cafe (shout out to Frank!) or having a relaxed cold one in the sun post work day. Horimatsu Bunshin, Let’s talk about tatts, baby!
Ryu (dragon) Irezumi back piece by Horimatsu Bunshin - all shading done by hand using traditional Japanese method called “Tebori”.
Sunset: Hi Horimatsu, would you mind if I asked you a couple of questions over lockdown?
Horimatsu: Of course, let’s do it! We have plenty of time haha!
Botan (peonies) by Horimatsu Bunshin.
What is your name, where are you from and how old are you?
I am Horimatsu Bunshin, I’m from Osaka, Japan and I’m 37 years old.
Have you always tattooed using Tebori, or have you tattooed using modern machinery too? If so, what made you decided to exclusively use tebori?
Yes I have tried both. I couldn’t make tattoos as solid as I can with Tebori by using a tattoo gun. Tebori tattoo is my taste, what I want my tattoos to look like. All my work is shaded by Tebori, also some thick lines too. Normal outlining is done by machine.
What is tebori like? Does it hurt more, does it take a lot longer to tattoo?
Most of my customers said, Tebori hurts less than gun. I think so too.
What have you been up to during lockdown?
Watching Netflix, painting, playing with Tom’s kids* and little bit studying English.. just a little, haha!
Kitsune (fox) masks by Horimatsu Bunshin.
(*PSA: Tom and his family are of course in a bubble with Horimatsu, no social distancing rules being broken here!).
You’ve travelled a lot for work, have you lived in lots of different places?
I’ve lived in Melbourne and Barcelona, other times I was always on the road moving and travelling somewhere else.
Are there particular rules you have to pay attention to when doing Irezumi/traditional Japanese tattoos?
I really care about the correct combinations of subjects! To be honest I don’t care too much about meaning, I always love to tattoo good, orthodox, traditional Japanese subjects.
In 2020, what do you want to do more of tattoo wise?
Japanese background! I haven’t done a lot of big tattoos while I’ve been here, but big pieces with background are always good!
Are you enjoying living in Auckland?
I’ve been enjoying it here so far, I like it. It’s pretty different here!
Back piece by Horimatsu Bunshin!
When did you start tattooing? Did you do a typical apprenticeship?
No I didn’t. I learned tattooing by myself when I was 16 years old. In the beginning I was tattooing using only a machine. I started learning Tebori about eight years ago.
What do you like doing while you’re not tattooing?
I like having nothing to do, and to just chill.
I’ve never been to Japan, but I hear tattoos can be a bit of an issue. What do people think about tattoos in Japan?
Yes it is, that’s why tattoo are worth more in Japan, I think. Not many people have them, so it means you are quite different, it’s cool. That’s just my opinion though, most Japanese people wouldn’t think so. Most of Japanese people are scared of tattooed guys! So I wear long shirt and long pants in public places in Japan, even if it’s too boiling I do! Just our of respect for them. But for travellers, when you’re in Japan you don’t need to cover up your tatts, people wouldn’t be scared to you if you don’t look Japanese.
Torso dragon by Horimatsu Bunshin.
Where is the first place that you’re going to go and eat when you get out of lockdown?
Top Cafe. Is that the exact answer you wanted Rosie!?
How’s your kiwi slang going?
I don’t know.. just I like “Leshgooooo!!!”
Sunset: LESSSHHHGOOOOO!!
Horimatsu: LESSSSHHGOOOOOOO!!
Sunset: Thank you very much Horimatsu! Can’t wait to catch up with everyone once we’re out of lockdown!
Horimatsu: LESSSSSHGOOOO.
For requests and bookings with Horimatsu Bunshin, please contact the studio:
www.sunsettattoo.co.nz
info@sunsettattoo.co.nz