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.
Explore collections
For tattooers, apprentices, and anyone building a stronger eye for dragon design, Daily Dragon Sketches — Spring is more than a sketch collection. It is a focused studio reference built around flow, shape, rhythm, and the disciplined variation that makes dragon imagery come alive.
Part of Bill Canales’ daily drawing practice, this seasonal volume brings together Japanese-inspired dragon sketches made to be studied, returned to, and learned from in the studio.
Rather than offering finished answers, the book rewards close looking. It gives readers the chance to study how dragons move through a composition — how the spine carries direction, how large shapes hold the design together, and how smaller variations in head, body, claws, and scales create character without losing clarity.
This title is especially useful if you want to:
- study flow and movement through spines, curves, and directional force
- build stronger dragons through big shapes before detail
- develop variation in heads, claws, bodies, and scale patterns
- improve layout thinking through focal point, spacing, and breathing room
How to study it
Start simply. Pick one sketch. Trace the spine and identify three to five major shapes. Then redraw it from memory and make one controlled variation of your own.
Used this way, Daily Dragon Sketches — Spring becomes more than inspiration. It becomes part of a repeatable drawing practice.
Part of the series
This volume is part of the Daily Dragon Sketches series. Continue with Daily Dragon Sketches — Summer.
Related reading
Want a simple workflow for using reference books more consistently? Read our guide: How artists use reference books.
Looking for free drills for the studio? Explore the Free Studio Guides (PDF).
Book details
- Title: Daily Dragon Sketches – Spring
- Binding: Hardcover
- Language: English
- Paper: 120 grams Emotion Pure Naturel 1.5
- Pages: 96
- Size: 170 × 240 × 12 mm (6.69 × 9.45 × 0.47 inches)
Let customers speak for us
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!
Im a regular customer at this amazing shop!
The Quality of the books and prints and the fast an reliable shipping make it a little too easy sometimes. But it’s always well spent money!
