In this episode of Tattoo Tales, I sit down with a man who has spent over three decades navigating the deep waters of our craft with utmost dedication: Pino Cafaro.

This talk felt very inspiring as Pino brings both tradition and a progressive mindset into his work, as he says “Balance beats perfection”.

His insights, matured over a long and successful career, can be very helpful to all the committed artists and tattooers that share the struggles of draftsmanship and the quest to grasp the bigger picture of a culturally and visually rich style such as the Japanese.

Find Pino on Instagram

White Fox Gallery

Find out more about Stef’s courses, seminars and projects

Curious about how to make woodblock prints?

In this episode of Tattoo Tales, I’m joined by Australian artist Terry McKenna, known by his artist name Toraku ("Fun Knife"), who traded oil paints for the traditional Japanese art of Mokuhanga over twenty years ago.

From his school in the mountains of Karuizawa, Terry breaks down the intricate world of woodblock printing—from the discipline of his apprenticeship in Kyoto to the specialized tools like the baren and cherry wood blocks.

We dive into the striking parallels between the heritage of Japanese printmaking and the tattooing world, exploring how the craft has evolved from the rigid assembly lines of the Edo period to a contemporary "Golden Age" where artists handle every step of the process.

It’s a deep dive into a tactile, timeless and versatile medium that rewards patience and honors the rule of "making it from yourself."

Artists mentioned in the episode:

Hiroshi Yoshida (shin hanga)

Munakata Shiko (sosaku hanga)

Suppliers:

Gwasendo (art supply store in Kyoto)

Michihamono (tool maker)

Sekaido (Tokyo)

Mokuhankan (Tokyo)

Mentioned tattoo-friendly onsen:

agri-yu

Learn more about Terry’s courses and residencies

Terry’s school on IG

Stef’s mentorship and projects

Stef’s IG

Get ready for another very nerdy episode into Japanese Folklore. This time we explore the figure of the Tengu, as portrayed in medieval chronicles and scrolls. Not what you’d expect.

Source: The Seven Tengu Scrolls, by Haruko Wakabayashi

(mentioned anime about Japanese Hell: HOZUKI’S COOLHEADEDNESS)