Free from stigma: Japanese tattoo artists exhibit work in Vancouver

Japan's stigma around tattoos has longkept the country's tattoo artists out of the public eye, but some of them are getting their chance to shine tonight at a galleryin Vancouver.

Japanese tattoo artists Horimitsu and Horinaowill be exhibiting their work onThursday at the Beaumont Studios on West 5th Avenue in Vancouver, thanks toMike Derbyshire.

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Derbyshire said the two artists have been drawing attention from all over the world.

"People who are interested in thesetattooshunt them down wherever they may be," he said, noting that 60 per cent of Horimitsu and Horinao'scustomers are from overseas.

Tebori the Japanese tattooing technique of hand-poking allows for a different application of ink under the skin, one thatDerbyshiresays isusually higher in density which means the colours last longer andcertain pigments like white are more vibrant.

Tattoo ban in Japan

Up until about 15 years ago, tattoos in Japan were associated with organized crime.

"The stigma is tied to the Yakuza. People see a tattoo there and they assume it is going to be a bad person," said Derbyshire.

While the stigma has died down, it still persists, particularly in bathhouses where people with tattoos aren't allowed inside.

But Derbyshire said the Japanese government is trying to persuade bathhouses to at least open up to tattooed foreigners in time for the Olympics in 2020.

With files from the CBC's The Early Edition and Jessica Linzey.

To hear the full story listen to the audio labelled:Japanese tattoo artists show their work in Vancouver.