Selected Books — 50% Off
These are books made to be used, studied, and returned to. For a limited time, selected Kintaro titles are available at 50% off. No code needed, and free shipping applies from €99 in the EU and €149 worldwide.
Premium tattoo books for working artists.
Curated studio reference to sharpen flow, composition, and motif vocabulary.
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Scrolls II by Horiyoshi III
Scrolls II is Horiyoshi III’s long-awaited return to kakejiku (hanging scroll) painting—made as a Japanese tattoo reference book you can actually study. We created this volume for tattooers and collectors who want master-level irezumi flow, storytelling, and line discipline—captured in scroll paintings presented in a vertical gatefold format.
What you’ll use it for
- Composition & flow: how the full piece reads, moves, and “locks in”
- Storytelling rhythm: weight, pauses, and transitions through the frame
- Line discipline: confident stroke choices and controlled detail density
- Large-scale translation: layouts you can adapt for backs, sleeves, and bodysuits
38 new kakejiku works in a gatefold format
In Horiyoshi III’s philosophy, every stroke counts—needle or brush. Inside Scrolls II you’ll find 38 entirely new scroll paintings, each presented as a vertical gatefold that opens to 35 cm × 90 cm (13.8″ × 35.4″). Every piece is accompanied by notes from the artist in Japanese and English, giving you deeper insight into choices, inspiration, and intent.
Want to see how tattooers use books like this as reference (without copying)? Read: How Tattoo Artists Use Reference Books (Without Losing Their Own Style).
Related Horiyoshi III titles
If you’re collecting Horiyoshi III, explore the original landmark project: The Magnum Opus by Horiyoshi III (rare & used) and the behind-the-scenes story here: Behind the Scenes: The Magnum Opus Tattoo Book.
See all Horiyoshi III releases here: Horiyoshi III collection.
Collector’s Edition
We also released 108 hand-numbered Collector’s Editions of Scrolls II, presented in a custom-made bookcase. You will receive six exclusive Horiyoshi III prints with your order.
Specs
Title: Scrolls II by Horiyoshi III
Binding: Hardcover
Language: English and Japanese
Paper type: 170 gr. Munken Lynx Smooth
Page total: 38 gatefolds (displaying at 35 cm × 90 cm / 13.8″ × 35.4″)
Size: 350 × 500 × 40 mm (13.8″ × 19.7″ × 1.5″)
Edition: 500
Collector’s Edition includes:
- Book
- Bookcase
- Six frameable prints housed in the bookcase
- Edition of 108 (hand-numbered)
Printed and hand bound in the Netherlands. Curated by Yushi “Horikichi” Takei.
Whether you’re building your first reference shelf or upgrading your studio library, start here.
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Independent since 2011
A little about Kintaro
Kintaro Publishing started with a love for tattooing, art, and books worth keeping. Founded and run by André van Zomeren, we're a small independent publisher working closely with artists from around the world.
Read Our Story
For artists, designers, and tattooers building stronger drawing judgment, Hokusai’s Method is more than a beautiful book. It’s a serious reference for studying how a master thinks on paper—line, rhythm, simplification, and invention—across thousands of small decisions.
An omnibus edition collecting fifteen volumes of Hokusai’s dedicated drawing manuals, also known as e-tehon. While Hokusai is best known for prints like The Great Wave off Kanagawa, he produced hundreds of printed books during his lifetime—many of them made specifically to teach, share, and preserve his drawing practice.
Hokusai’s Method faithfully reproduces every page from these manuals, featuring 800+ illustrations created between 1812 and 1848. You’ll find playful exercises, songs and poems used as prompts, pictures composed of letterforms (a surprisingly modern approach to visual language), designs intended for craftsmen, and even depictions of movement and dance.
This title is especially useful if you want to:
- Study how Hokusai builds forms with economy and clarity
- Develop a stronger sense of line, rhythm, and visual shorthand
- Use historic reference to expand your visual vocabulary for drawing and composition
Book details
- Title: Hokusai’s Method
- Binding: Hardcover
- Language: English
- Pages: 896
- Size: 212 × 152 × 60 mm (8.3 × 6.0 × 2.4 inches)
Let customers speak for us
Great examples and inspiration for Japanese tattoos. Beautiful publication.
Both the Shane Tan and Bill Canales books I ordered contain breathtaking references and the quality of the books is similarly great. I have baught quite some reference books, but Kintaro puts in extra effort to make them durable and enjoyable.
I use them every day since they arrived.
Awesome book for beautiful references.
Looking forward to getting the rest two!
A fascinating and beautifully presented exploration of Japanese tattooing that goes far beyond the artwork itself.
What makes this book particularly engaging is the way it brings together the rich history, cultural significance and traditional principles of Japanese tattooing. It provides a genuine understanding of the structure, composition and symbolism behind the designs, explaining how individual elements come together to create something far more meaningful than simply an impressive tattoo.
The book successfully bridges the gap between tradition and modern interpretation, showing how centuries of history and craftsmanship continue to influence Japanese tattooing today.
Whether you are a tattoo enthusiast, an artist or simply someone interested in Japanese culture, this is an insightful and rewarding read that leaves you with a much deeper appreciation of the artistry, discipline and meaning behind this remarkable tradition.
Fantastic book for reference and learning. Unfortunately, I don't speak Japanese, but even so, there is a lot to learn from the drawings, and the steps showing how each piece is laid out.
Highly recommend picking it up!
Great range of literature and illustrative books for all styles if tattooing. Very reasonably priced for an investment into yourself not just for the books you buy. Also great deals available whenever they have offers on.
awesome finds for excellent reference material looking forward to my next purchase from kintaro
Bought it for my wife who's a tattoo artist, we were both blown away, it's huge it's materials are beautiful to touch and view, and the prints are ridiculously beautiful. I bought the "Clearly Used" version, and it might as well have been brand new, you're hard pressed to find tiny traces of usages throughout.
After waiting weeks for my order of bruh book I received an empty box, I emailed the team at kintaro and they jumped right on it and sent me another one! No questions asked! Absolutely amazing, and the quality of the book is top notch, I will be ordering more in the future. Keep up the great work!
