The Art of Ozuma Kaname

Tattoo Fantasy of Ozuma Kaname Ozuma Kaname (小妻要, 1939 - 2011) was a painter/artist from Tokyo, who worked closely with japanese tattoo-artists (Horiyoshi III), creating amazing pieces of art on silk. Born in Niigata, Ozuma Kaname began studying traditional Japanese painting under his uncle, artist Sakai Soushi. As much as he was inspired by the art of japanese traditional tattooing, irezumi, as much he also inspired tattoo-artists and his second book that came out in 1995, was a true source of inspiration and reference. A contemporary of Horiyoshi III, Kaname's body of work consist primarily of nude women brandishing stunning wabori - Japanese style tattooing, and images of tattoo iconography. His dragons and Buddhist deities have found their way not only into his impressive tomes but into mainstream Japanese culture as well. His artwork can be found on jigsaw puzzles and postcards. As the tattoo culture on the whole here in Japan is still very taboo, this is quite an impressive feat. Legendary painter Ozuma Kaname died after losing a short and uneven battle with cancer. His paintings on silk of, among other things, tattooed female figures often wearing designs by master Horiyoshi III of Yokohama, are regarded as masterworks by those familiar with the tradition of Irezumi.