Neo-japanese tattoo style

Hi people, i've been wanting to get a full japanese sleeve on my left arm for quite some time now, but so far I haven't found anyone's work that I like (besides Shige, but the possibility of me ever getting a full sleeve from him is slim, due to his hectic schedule and location). So..Do you guys have any recommendations for me? Someone who is good at the "Neo-japanese" tattoo style? p.s And please, don't list tattoo artists who are good at the traditional style, because thats not what i'm looking for..I appreciate the beauty of their art, but its just not for me.

In Canada Steve Moore www.getmooretattoos.com Heather McLean www.hbomb.ca Kurt Wiscombe http://tattooartwinnipeg.com

And maybe Justin Ormiston www.ormistonink.com & Adam Sky www.adamsky.com

Kore Flatmo is one of the best I to love the neo japanese style and have struggled with finding an artist comprable to shige,and this Mr. Flato's work is excellent for that genre of tattooing. Plurabella.com

Corey Kruger @ krugertattoos.com

Is there anybody out there that can really do a Skull better than Flatmo. Make that a realistic Skull better than Flatmo. I don't think so....

^ yeah but i'm not looking for a skull lol. Flatmo is damn good at what he does, but from what i've seen on his website, it's not exactly what i'm looking for either..maybe his portfolio on his site is a bit outdated? *shrug*. Steve Moore's work is amazing! I really love the smoothness of his colour work, and how they all harmoniously blend together. I'm gonna go e-mail him now. Has anyone here ever gotten any work done by him? How long did it take you to get onto his waiting list?

[email removed] He works at the Nelson St.Shop. Jesse [email removed] clintdanroth.com bobbyfive.com [email removed] www.danieleinnes.com

what exactly are u looking to get? maybe everyone can help u more if you explain the piece you envision.

i would agree with this last post. but kore flatmo is amazing at a lot of different things. not just skulls. theres plenty on his online 'portfolio' that shows his ability with colors along with black n grey.

I'm looking to get a sleeve of parading Oni and Yokai..I've been fascinated by them ever since i was a child. The artist either has to do a fair bit of research, or be familiar with Japanese Folklore. Its no longer a simple matter of getting the typical dragon, koi, phoenix, or hannya mask, as i know a lot of artists who are capable of doing that. This includes imageries of ?Ao-nyobo, Tengu, Kappa, ?Azuki-arai, Yotsuya Kaidan etc etc, but portrayed in a scarier way than the pictures i've seen in books. I'm also looking for more depth, more shade work, and more vibrant colors than traditional japanese prints.

Oh yeah, a good example of this kind of work would be of Horiyoshi III's "100 demons" books.

I'm envisioning my sleeve as similar to the imageries seen in the "100 demons" book, but mixed in with the innovative style of Shige.

mikedorsey.com [email removed] orientsoul.com [email removed] horigyn.com jesseyoungtattoos.com

You might be interested in his work. http://www.japanese-tattoo-art.com/art-tenmyouya.html

Sean [email removed] Jay&[email removed] actats.com chrisadamek.com kevinleblanc.com his site hasn't been updated in a few years...It's best to go to the shop,and check out his portfolio.

Umm..wasnt too impressed with the japanese work by those tattoo artists in the last list. Keep them coming! :)

been looking for the same thing and think i found THE artist, too early to tell i start my tattoo early november. Shige blows me away, with his depth, richness and interpretation of japanese style, it's like 3D but not over the top. check out kingsavenuetattoo.com, they have some sick talent there, justin weatherholtz(formerly of all or nothing in GA) is a new addition and i cannot wait to see what he turns out!

Yeah..those guys at Kings Avenue Tattoo are decent too, but again, not exactly what i'm looking for. I find that a lot of these western artists incorporate too much of their "traditional american" style into their japanese compositions..making them look a bit too cartoony, with overly bold lines.

Oh and by the way, Who is your artist djprofitnyc?

justin weatherholtz. He's got the color and vision i think to make it happen. I'm not looking for an exact Shige(as i hope to get to see him one day), but a new edge. He's great with depth, dynamics and i'm gonna give it a shot

Here is some more names. I will just try to give as much options as possible for you. Jason Lui www.jasonloui.com works with Cory Kruger www.solidstatetattoo.com www.primalurgesf.com and in there Grime www.grimemonster.com Yutaro Sakai www.lifeonly.net Phil Holt www.redletter1.com/phil.html http://redemptiontattoo.com/home.html www.oldecitytattoo.com www.immaculatetattoo.com www.troydenningtattoo.com www.marcoserio.com www.regnyc.com www.flyritetattoo.net www.seventhsontattoo.com www.perfectiontattoo.com www.shamrocktattoo.com and www.eddydeutsche.com www.jasonbrookstattoo.com www.blackhearttattoosf.com www.avalontattoo.com/denny.htm www.nyadorned.com www.slavetotheneedle.com http://horitaka.com http://senaspace.com www.nineeyesstudio.com www.spotlighttattoo.com www.kevinleblanc.com www.spidermurphystattoo.com http://thinktankdenver.com http://zamtattoo.com www.jeffcrocitattoo.com

Ummm, i went through that long list, and i can't believe i couldn't find an artist i am 100% sure about..Is there something wrong with me? It just seems like there aren't many tattoo artists in North America that put out fine line, intricate, smooth, and depthful japanese work...Everyone seems to be going for the bold lines, and concrete solid colour work...?

I dont think there is anything wrong with you. But it means perhaps that if you want Shiges style, then you have to go to Shige. Or maybe someone like Filip Leu.

Check out Dan Gilsdorf @ Atlas Tattoo. Still though, Shige is Shige. You could try to get ahold of Mike Roper.

I've heard a lot about Mike Roper, but I have not seen any of his work due to him being extremely low profile..If anyone has work done by Mike Roper, I'd really appreciate it if you could e-mail me pictures, just to give me a taste of his style.

Dan Gilsdorf's style seemed pretty interesting, but sadly he only has like 2 japanese styled tattoos posted on his online portfolio, one being a far shot of a body suit which i couldnt see properly. I'd love to see more of his japanese work, if anyone has a link..?

Mike Roper´s style is similar to Dana Helmuths www.solidstatetattoo.com And maybe the "last" possibility Hori-Yen (Jess) www.mytats.com/frame_set.htm

I was also going to suggest Hori-Yen. I don't have any work from SHIGE, HORI-YEN, nor KORE, but I'd sure love to have some. I'd say the best work I currently have is from Dana Helmuth. Eventually I'll go back and get more from Dana. Super nice guy, super professional. His works leans toward more traditional Japanese, which it sounds like you don't like as much.

Check out Sabbine Gaffron (spelling?) I think she is in Germany. Also, I think someone already mentioned Kurt Wiscombe, but check him out, if you haven't already. He is in Winnepeg. One more, Mick for Zurich is incredible.

Try CleanRockOne.com

Try CleanRockOne.com

Oops, "CleenRockOne.com" sorry

Uhh...I went through Cleen's portfolio and he doesn't really do any japanese work..?

After checking out so many tattoo artists, i've decided that Shige is the only one who can fulfill the vision of my arm sleeve..so i'm gonna just start saving up money, and spend a vacation in Japan and get inked.

Dude, exactly. I've been dying for a backpiece by Shige, and started to look for a replacement but nobody came close. Don't get me wrong there are other fantastic artists that do fantastic work, but I want something in his style. And I think, why get the watered-down version? Plus i feel like it might come across as insulting to the replacement artist. Imagine coming up to Filip Leu and say, "I want sthg like Shige's" Shige, I shall see you 4 years for now.

Btw Dom, if my memory serves my right Kurt Wiscombe and Flatmo have great sleeves of Japanese demon in their portfolio that remind me a lot of Shige's demon stuff. Now Shige's phoenix on the other hand...

Not that i know of..I know they do lots of hannya masks and skulls, but i'm specifically looking for various Yokais and Onis that aren't necessarily common imagery in the western tattoo community.

And yeah, i'm totally with you on Shige's Phoenix..Its probably one of the japanese imageries that western tattoo artists have not yet fully grasp..I've seen some the japanese phoenix done by various reputable tattoo artists in North America and Europe, but they just seem a bit off.

You might wanna check out Ton, from chopstick tattoo in Osaka. I know, I know, it's still in Japan, but at least he doesnt have 4 years waiting least. His phoenix came pretty close to shige, so I imagine he would be pretty awesome at demon stuff too (and he's japanese)

does anyone know how hard to is to actually get work from shige? waiting list time, hourly etc.? i am in a similar boat as OP, although there are many artists that are extremely talented, i just like shige's work in that genre the best.

If you are thinking of traveling, here are some other great options (I hope ;) ) Calle @ www.kingcarlostattoo.com in Sweden Dean Sacred @ www.illicithq.com in New Zealand Trevor McStay & Evan Griffiths @ www.dynamictattoo.com in Australia Judd Ripley @ www.juddripley.com in Australia www.tattoomagic.com.au in Australia Karl @ www.kailitosway.de in Germany Wido de Marval @ www.widodemarval.com in Switzerland

Those artists are decent, but not good enough for me to travel all the way there for. I'll probably stick with Shige when I have the time and money..a close second would be Miyazo tattoo from Osaka, Japan.

there is no doubt that Shige is A+++ with extra points for being a cool guy (at least he seemed it at the London tattoo convention). I bet you will be waiting a long time, but I would follow whatever protocol is on their website, and I would make it a point to catch up with him in person if you can. It might take a long time, but its worth it. One thing I have noticed is tattoo artists do like to put their work next to other masters. that is, when people call the studio and list of the other amazing artists they have work from, those folks stay in the forefront of our minds as other talent comes through they may want to get tattooed by. though, it is also fun to set educated first timers up with world class tattoos when possible too... so, the point is the less crappy and the more better tattoos you have the more you will stick in the aritsts mind as a "good canvas". And how white your skin is, whether thats PC or not its the truth, nature may have made demons out of the white man, but it gave us nice white canvases to tattoo...

Hey, one more to check out.... Paolo @ Divinity Tattoo

So did anyone ever get ink from Shige?