The First Carving Shun Photo Album

I am pleased to announce the release of a photo album of Master Shun Ikebukuro. I, Keiichi KUWAI, the author and photographer, first had the opportunity to meet Master Kakutoshi in 1995, and since then, I have been indebted to Master Kakutoshi for nearly 30 years, both publicly and privately. Since then, he has been a great help to me both publicly and privately for almost 30 years. Since he has always been a close friend of mine, I was allowed to bring my camera into his workshop and take many pictures. I was allowed to bring my camera to his workshop and take many pictures of his finished works, as well as scenes of his daily work, some of which were taken while he was drinking. Some of them were taken while he was drinking, others were taken during band performances, and many others were taken during his daily work. I also found some photos from Las Vegas in 2007, and one from a swimming trip in Katsuura, Chiba Prefecture, which made me laugh.

In the case of the author, all the tattoos were completed in 2008, and the last tattoo was the name of Master Kakutoshi on my back. Of course, I went to Ikebukuro to have a tattoo done by Master Shun, but basically, once a week, I spent one to two hours with Master Shun, which became my greatest pleasure, and I have been going to his office with this feeling ever since. And I am sure that those of you who have captured this feeling, for example, in this photo album, will understand.

Master Tattooing is an art form.

His tattoos had been amazing until then, but I think it was around the time when he turned 60 years old that he suddenly made a great leap forward in his carvings. The greatness of the composition, the dynamism, the expressions of the individual subject matter, the use of color, and the ultimate precision and fineness. I will never forget the day when the tattoo on the skin of a person living in the familiar scenery of my master's workplace, seen through the viewfinder, looked so clearly different from what it had been before.

THE CURRENT WORK PLACE OF MASTER SHUN IS TRULY INTERNATIONAL, AND IS CROWDED WITH MANY VISITORS FROM OVERSEAS, PROBABLY DUE TO THE INFLUENCE OF SOCIAL NETWORKING SITES. IN THE BEGINNING OF 2023, I FELT A SENSE OF MISSION TO PRESERVE HIS WORKS AS AN OFFICIAL ALBUM, BUT AT THE SAME TIME, I ALSO FELT A STRONG DESIRE TO HELP PEOPLE OVERSEAS BETTER UNDERSTAND TRADITIONAL AND AUTHENTIC JAPANESE TATTOOS. I ALSO FELT A STRONG DESIRE TO HELP PEOPLE OVERSEAS BETTER UNDERSTAND TRADITIONAL AND AUTHENTIC JAPANESE TATTOOS. IN THIS BOOK, I WOULD LIKE TO EXPLAIN THE UNIQUE SENSITIVITY AND AESTHETIC SENSE OF THE JAPANESE PEOPLE, AS WELL AS THE JAPANESE PEOPLE'S DEEP-SEATED SENSE OF BEAUTY. I HAVE ALSO INCORPORATED ANOTHER THEME OF THE JAPANESE PEOPLE'S DEEP-ROOTED IDEAS AND SENSES OF "ALL THINGS IN THE FOREST, THE 8 MILLION GODS".

We are well aware that there are many people who have negative impressions of traditional Japanese tattoos, but the true form of modern tattoos is truly an art form, created through years of friendly competition, constant effort, and the boldness of the tattoo artist, who is always interested in everything and never ceases to improve. We hope that you will take a look at the amazing works of our beloved first master, Mr. Shun Carving.

- Photographed and created by : KUWAI Keiichi 2023.4/21

Purchase

The first Shun Carving Photo Album : Limited edition of 500 copies sold worldwide

Special Edition First Generation Shun Carving Photo Album : Limited to only 500 copies worldwide
> We will ship by EMS to overseas.

¥98,000 (tax not included)

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Album Introduction Video

Album text sample