Eric Shahan, an American translator based in Japan, continues his documentary work on the history of Japanese tattooing with the publication of this compilation of excerpts from old books and previously unpublished illustrations, intended to give an account of the evolution of the practice in the archipelago, from the earliest traces of body marks observed (several thousand years BC) to the rise of the horimono, the decorative tattoo in the major urban centres of the 18th century. Accompanied by Eric's texts (in English), this small 260-page, black-and-white format is as informative for enthusiasts as it is useful for researchers. "Tattoos as Punishment - An Illustrated History of Tattooing in Japan" Eric Shahan, to be found on Amazon, 11€.
