Genres
Japanese

Loves
Motorcyles, Zadie Smith, pride fighting, Hank III, food (especially Hawaiian BBQ)

Ride
Harley

Story
I own and operate State of Grace tattoo shop in San Jose, California and am privileged to work with talented young artists Jill Bonny (recently titled Horiyuki by Horiyoshi III) and Dan Wysuph. Currently, due to the large number of pieces in progress, I have an approximate 2 year waiting list. If you are interested in tattoo work I recommend stopping by the shop or writing a letter if you are from out of town, but can not at this time guarantee acceptance of new clients. I also co-own State of Grace Productions with my partner, San Jose motorcycle builder Roman Enriquez, and together we organize the San Jose Tattoo Convention. This convention happens in October and features some of the most talented tattooers from around the world. This is a small, independent show where quality matters. You should support this show. I have written four books thus far. They are Bushido: Legacies of the Japanese Tattoo; Tattoos of the Floating World: Ukiyo-e Motifs in the Japanese Tattoo, Tattooing From Japan to the West: Horitaka Interviews Contemporary Artists and Horiyoshi III. The first two are based on my experiences as a client and student of Horiyoshi III and focus on Japanese tattooing. The third is a collection of interviews I first published in Tattoo Life Magazine. In the interests of maintaining editorial control, I founded a publishing company with my friend and colleague; Grime. This joint venture, Grimmelbein Kitamura Publishing, has already begun production on several titles. The first book (my fourth), a comprehensive book on the life and work of Horiyoshi III, was released in June of 2006. More books are on the way.

Shop (they work at)
State of Grace

Location
San Jose, CA

First gave
1998

How started
I had an early interest in tattooing and began collecting in high school. After graduating from the University of California, Santa Cruz with a BA in Community Studies, I began tattooing in 1998. My first apprenticeship was with Paco Excel of New Skool Studios in San Jose, California. (check out Paco and Adrian when you get a chance, they are doing amazing work) Shortly afterwards, I began as an apprentice of renowned Japanese tattoo master, Horiyoshi III. I received the title Horitaka from my master and am his only American apprentice. And just so you know the only other Horiyoshi III apprentice outside of Japan is Alex Reinke (Horikitsune) in Germany.