Horiyoshi the Third is a legend in the tattoo world. Divinely principled, he views each of his designs – ranging from peonies to phoenixes - as protective to the wearer and refuses major Hollywood stars who can’t make it to his Tokyo-based studio,
Horiyoshi the Third is a legend in the tattoo world. Divinely principled, he views each of his designs – ranging from peonies to phoenixes – as protective to the wearer and refuses major Hollywood stars who can’t make it to his Tokyo-based studio, trying to lure him to their hotel suite instead.
I initially heard about Horiyoshi via Steve Suk. We were in the Hotel Lotti and, although he was wearing a long sleeved t-shirt, I was intrigued by the glimpses of Steve's full body Irezumi tattoo. Suddenly I was reminded me of my ill-spent youth: skiving off school to be a film extra in Broken Glass, accosting Joe Strummer at Notting Hill’s tube station (well, it was my 18th birthday,) attending every Ramones gig that was circa 1980 and upholding the Vicious and Biggs "My Way" duo as genius. What it is about tattoos that channel a "screw the consequences" attitude?
"Divinely principled, Horiyoshi views each of his designs – ranging from peonies to phoenixes – as protective to the wearer and refuses major Hollywood stars who can’t make it to his Tokyo-based studio, trying to lure him to their hotel suite instead."
However, being too squeamish about ink and needles running riot on my curves, I’ve settled for Steve’s leisurewear line which has adapted all of Horiyoshi’s delicate drawings into must have tattooed separates(horiyoshi-thethird.com.) Last autumn, he opened his first flagship in London’s Connaught Street; smart considering Horiyoshi’s scarves, cardigans and hoodies have been spotted on the likes of David Beckham, Charlotte Dellal, Tilda Swinton and Jimmy Jagger. Such Brits define hip, I happily don’t. But I guess what we appreciate is Horiyoshi’s superior quality: the finest Italian yarn, the carved buttons and the block printed images, all approved by the master tattooist. Finally, the Horiyoshi pieces feel steeped in good vibrations. I realised this when I lost my midnight blue Horiyoshi Dragon scarf. Nothing can replace it. And I keep on torturing myself about where it fell off. Was it the Pont des Arts or the Louvre’s Cour Carré?
Natasha Fraser-Cavassoni is a Paris-based British writer who covers fashion and lifestyle as well as being the author of Sam Spiegel – The Biography of A Hollywood Legend, Understanding Chic, an essay from the Paris Was Ours anthology, the soon-to-be released Tino Zervudachi - A Portfolio - as well as the Chanel book, for Assouline's fashion series.
Robert Beck is former New Yorker currently based in Paris. Also known as C.J. Rabbitt, he is the author and illustrator of several children's books, including The Tale of Rabbitt in Paradis, Un Lapin à Paris and the soon-to-be-published A Bunny in the Ballet.
