Tattoos are no longer unusual or uncommon; they are now an undeniable element of mainstream style and fashion. But tattoos are expensive and, more importantly, permanent; so choosing an image is a very big decision. Here to help is 500 Tattoo Designs, a vast reference library of popular tattoos. Neatly organized by theme, the clearly […]

History records the practice of punitive tattooing across at least two thousand years. Japan was the last country to abolish punitive tattooing, in 1870. As elsewhere, the Japanese covered these marks of shame with decorative tattoos. These became more elaborate as their popularity increased in the larger cities of Japan during the Tokugawa period (1603-1868) […]

New York City is the birthplace of the electric tattoo machine, which has influenced modern tattooing worldwide, helping to define technical and artistic values intrinsic to the art form. After a 35-year ban, tattooing was re-legalized in the city in 1997; century-old values that were once shrouded in secrecy are now challenged by rapid growth […]

As people around the world rediscover the art and traditions of indigenous peoples, tribal images have become a leading source for tattoo designs. This fully illustrated handbook shows nearly 100 tattoos from around the world, developed by Maori and Aboriginal tribes and the native peoples of Africa, America, Asia and Europe. Tribal Tattoos recounts the […]