The (Under)world of Japanese Tattoos

Ibasho Gallery presents Ronin de Goede’s visual diary on his time with a Japanese tattoo master. On show until May 2, 2021.

In the period from 2011 to 2020, Dutch photographer Ronin de Goede (b. 1978) accompanied the traditional Japanese tattoo artist Horikazu as he went about his work in Tokyo’s Asakusa district. Japan continues to be a country where tattoos remain closely associated with the criminal underworld. By following Horikazu –  who specialises in full-body tattoos – the photographer gained rare glimpses into the world of the Yakuza, the Japanese mafia.

De Goede's visual style represents a new approach to both the photographic medium, and reality itself: his monochrome, high-contrast images invite reflection, and give the viewer space to fill in the blanks.

The series, which is on show at Antwerp’s Ibasho Gallery until May 2, 2021, has also been published as a book, titled ‘Asakusa’.

For further information visit Ibasho Gallery