Sumi-e (Japanese 墨 絵) „Sumi“ means black ink made of soot, „e“ means painting.
It is a painting technique, which in addition to good brushes, only black drawing ink, water and unsized paper are needed.
We use this technique, as many Japanese Tattoo Masters also do, to paint our traditional Horimono designs. Every painting is unique and custom draw for each costumer. The designs are traditional based on Ukiyoe paintings such as the Suikoden heroes, Japanese folklore and mythology. Traditionally the deshi, the student, must copy the designs of the master in oder to learn and memories them. Each tattoo family has its own style to draw and paint the designs which is like a signature to identify the tattooist family.