Conversations with Taka Kawasaki

Today we’d like to introduce you to Taka Kawasaki.

Hi Taka , thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I originally worked as a chef and also aspired to become a drummer, but when I was 28, I met a certain tattoo artist and instantly felt, “This is what I want to do with my life.” That’s when I decided to become a tattoo artist.
The years that followed were extremely tough, but thanks to great clients and wonderful people who supported me, I’ve been able to continue this work for 17 years now.

At first, I was drawn to American traditional tattoos because of my admiration for American rock music, and I studied them passionately. But somehow, I was naturally pulled toward Japanese traditional tattoos — known as Horimono — and now I specialize exclusively in Japanese traditional tattooing.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
There’s a lot of hardship, yeah. But it’s not the kind of hardship that makes me think, “This job is amazing, but I wanna quit.”
It’s that I can’t express what I really want to express through my art.
It’s about pursuing my own expression without getting swept up in the rapidly changing trends.
And it’s about keeping my mind and body in balance and properly maintained amid a busy life.
Continuing — it sounds simple, but it’s actually really hard.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I was born and raised in Japan, so I specialize in traditional Japanese tattoos, drawing on the experience and knowledge passed down through that culture.
Every piece I create carries deep meanings that have been handed down across generations, tells a story, and strictly adheres to the established rules of the art form. My work centers on classic motifs such as dragons, koi, tigers, and samurai.

People around the world are no doubt fiercely competing to create new values and concepts, aren’t they?
I, however, am doing exactly the opposite. I am wholly devoted to preserving and passing on this traditional art form that has remained virtually unchanged for roughly 400 years.

There are already countless talented artists who can offer “unique” or “individual” expressions, so I focus on what I can do best. When I meet someone who truly loves classic, old-school traditional designs, I sincerely believe we can create something truly wonderful together.

Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
I grew up as an average, slightly introverted boy in an ordinary family in a normal town.
I liked drawing, but I wasn’t good at it.
I became completely obsessed with rock music.
I wasn’t the type to be interested in all sorts of things — I was the kind of person who’d just dive deep into the few things I really loved.
Even now as an adult, I feel like the personality that took shape when I was a child hasn’t fundamentally changed at all.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://mozuyatattoo.info/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mozuyatattoo/

Image Credits
Zack Ambrosio