An unbroken tradition carried through generations
Becoming a Disciple – My Apprenticeship Journey
I began my tattooing journey in Saitama, Japan, under the guidance of my predecessor, Takehisa Muramatsu, also known as Honke Horiyoshi Kensho 1st).
At first, I was just a regular client. For reasons I still don’t fully understand, my master seemed to like me.
One day, he asked me a question that would change my life:
“Do you want to become a tattoo artist?”
I replied, “Yes, sensei.” And from that moment, my apprenticeship began.
A Rare and Difficult Path
In Japan, it is extremely rare to be offered the chance to become an apprentice, especially within a traditional tattoo family.
The apprentice system here is very strict, demanding complete dedication and humility.
During the first three years, I slept only 2–3 hours a day.
There was so much to learn—yet, my master never taught me directly.
Instead, I spent years quietly observing his Tebori technique, studying his drawings, and absorbing everything through immersion.
Eventually, I was granted permission to practice Nomi / Sashibo and Tebori—but not on clients.
Training Without Skin
To train, I practiced on unconventional materials:
paper, daikon radish, bananas, and even pig skin bought from the supermarket.
After months of repetition, I began to tattoo my own body to better understand:
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How the ink mixture should be prepared (we make it fresh for every appointment),
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How deep the needles should go,
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How much pressure to apply with the Tebori stick,
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And how the color heals over time.
Trial and Error Becomes Craftsmanship
It may sound inefficient, but this method of trial and error on myself was essential for my growth.
It taught me not just the mechanics of tattooing, but also the importance of patience, discipline, and respect for the tradition.
In a world where shortcuts are common, I’m grateful to have followed the traditional way—because it gave me something more than skill:
it gave me spirit.
The Spirit of a True Craftsman
A true craftsman devotes their entire life to learning, improving, and refining their art—
not for recognition, but to pass the knowledge humbly to the next generation.
Such a person never calls themselves a “master.”
Traditional Japanese tattoos are not just individual works of art.
They are a living continuum of spirit and skill, shaped by countless hands and hearts from the past to the present.
Each piece carries the thoughts, discipline, and emotions of our ancestors—
a legacy that continues to evolve through those who inherit it.
Succession
From 2003 to 2017, I began tattooing professionally under the name 天煕龍 (Tenkiryu).
At the end of 2017, I was formally given a title by my predecessor. (Out of respect, I won’t disclose the name of that title here.)
I used it briefly—from January to June of 2018—before circumstances outside my control required me to change it.
Eventually, I adopted my current name: 建尚弐代目 (Kensho The Second / Kensho II).
It’s a long story, but in the end, I’ve come to prefer this name far more than the previous one.
The former title signified my place as a successor within my predecessor’s traditional tattoo family lineage,
which dates back to shortly after World War II.
The new name, however, carries even deeper meaning.
It is based on the On-yomi (Chinese reading) of my predecessor’s given name—a meaningful choice in Japanese culture,
as it symbolizes that I am a direct successor in the line of my master.
Life is strange, but sometimes the things you don’t expect become the ones that feel most right.
Journey
Over the past decade, I’ve had the honor of being invited to numerous international tattoo conventions around the world.
Through these events, I received multiple awards, formed friendships with tattoo artists from many cultures, and shared techniques and ideas across borders.
These experiences became a source of deep inspiration, leading me to a new sense of direction in my craft.
As I traveled and immersed myself in the traditional cultures of other countries, I naturally began to reflect on my own roots—
on my identity as a Japanese artist, and on the traditions of Japan itself.
It was through seeing the world with my own eyes that I finally realized:
There are things you can only understand once you’ve stepped outside your own land.
At the same time, I felt a sense of urgency—
a realization that Japan’s traditional culture is quietly fading,
and that perhaps it is now our generation’s responsibility to protect and preserve it before it disappears.
Return a Favor – Supporting Tradition Through Action
In 2019, alongside fellow traditional tattoo artists from various genres and cultural backgrounds,
we founded the TAT – Traditional Tattoo Association, a legally registered nonprofit organization in Germany,
dedicated to protecting and supporting traditional tattoo cultures around the world.
In 2023, by chance and honor, I was appointed as an honorary lecturer of Japanese traditional arts under the AAA Abstract Art Academy in Germany.
Later, in recognition of my work, I received a special honorary award for my contribution to the preservation of important traditional cultures.
With the support of the European Union and UNESCO, I was also granted an international license to lecture at universities worldwide
as a professor of Japanese traditional arts.
These positions have allowed me to advocate for the social recognition of traditional tattoo artists,
and to support craftsmen and cultural workers who continue to uphold their own regional heritages.
I now live in the Netherlands, where I’ve opened a private atelier, but I continue to travel—
both to refine my skills and to give back to those who have preserved the traditions I now carry.
For me, tattooing is not only a craft—but a path to honor, serve, and grow through tradition.
UPDATE – 2025:
In 2025, Kenshō was awarded the Legend of the Industry Award
at the Icons & Prodigies Venice Tattoo Convention, and inducted
into the Modern Tattoo Hall of Fame by the International Tattoo
Federation (ITF) — the highest recognition in the tattoo industry.
Earlier this year my mentor and predecessor, Takehisa “Kensho” Muramatsu of Honke Horiyoshi Kensho 1st, passed away.
Honoring his legacy, I carried the name “Kensho II” taken from his given name, and as his official successor I have inherited his skills and philosophy.
After much reflection, I will now go forward simply as “Kenshō,” rooted in tradition with the spirit of HABOKU — beyond the frame.
Kenshō
