Need help finding a reputable "Asian Style" tattoo shop in Vancouver .

[K3604]

My cousin is looking forward to getting an asian style sleeve done (Koi's to be exact) I just need some opinions of some reputable places around Vancouver to check out with him.

I've heard and seen good things from Blackwater Tattoo.. Does Jesse do work for anyone underage?

The only issue is that my cousin is 16 at the moment, I'm just wondering what procedure he has to go through in order to get tattoo'd being under 18..

Do most tattoo shops agree to do work as long as an adult has signed for permission?

I'm haven't really checked out any places yet so I'm not sure.

I'd really appreciate the help, Thanks.

[SkinnyPupp]

No reputable artist will tattoo a 16 year old. Wait 2 years, then go to Jesse at Blackwater, or Jeff Tam or Adam Sky. All these guys do "Asian" styles in their own unique ways.

His other option is to go to a scratcher in some kitchen or garage in Surrey.

You can only imagine the difference

[Vansterdam]

under 16 requires adult permission/signature i believe

check out 40 days and 40 nights , there are 2 really good artists from japan there right now(Horiryu and Horitsugu ) .. not to sure how long they will be in town for but check it out

http://www.40days40nights.ca/galleries/21

[SkinnyPupp]

Even with parental consent, I think a lot of artists are going to turn you away for having shitty parents. Depends on the person I guess, so ask around.

[threezero]

Getting a sleeve at 16 is the worse decision anyone can make.

Does your cousin work legitimate jobs? Have a career setup?

Assuming you are talking about a full sleeve, half sleeve can be hidden if u don't go pass the elbow.

Does your cousin know how much it will cost? That it will take multiple session?


Just some things to consider for a 16 yr old.
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[K3604]

It might seem a bit young for him to get work done on his arm, but he knows the cost, and time needed for it.

It's something he's wanted for quite some time so I can't really just shut him down, he's a mature young adult and

he knows what he wants so I'm with him with this decision.. I can understand people thinking "Oh, this kid wants a ink

to look g and all", but that's not the case for him. It's more of a spiritual, religious, family reason of why he wants to get

a tattoo done. Trust me, it's not like he woke up yesterday thinking he was gonna get ink'd, hes been constructing an idea for quite some time now..

He doesn't mind waiting til he's 18 but he's just wondering if he could get it done earlier.. He just wants to get it done earlier cos he knows how long it takes to complete a full sleeve.

I really appreciate the positive feedback from ya'll, and I hope you understand the situation. Thanks!

[SkinnyPupp]

How can it be something he's wanted for quite some time, he is only 16

He can dream up all the spiritual reasons and crap, but all it comes down to is he just wants to look cool

BTW I got my first tattoo when I was 30. It was something I always wanted since I was 16. I will eventually have full sleeves, but probably won't be done adding until I am at least 40.

I'm not saying just DON'T GET IT YOU WON'T BE ABLE TO GET A JOB. Rather, just think about it, and what kind of lifestyle he wants to live. Most 16 year olds with tattoos are punks who live on the streets, or at least that is the tradition. If he wants to live a normal corporate life like most people, then he has to consider that heavily. Thing is, most 16 year olds lack that ability.

[threezero]

Not trying to judge. Tbh I got my first tattoo when I was 18. I wanted something on my arm but decided against it. I got it on my ribs instead. In hindsight I was glad I didn't choose the arm for my first. 2 reasons:
1. It's unfortunate but people do judge. That includes everyone from your family, employer to potential mate. Imagine not getting that dream job or getting fire from one Becuz ur boss is an uptight asshole, shit like this happen when you are not your own boss.
2. For most people their first tattoo is their worst. Not enough research on what is a GOOD tattoo, not having enough money(or just being cheap) and sometimes Becuz after ur first tattoo you get addicted and start looking at other tattoos and realize yours could of been better.

I still don't have any visible tattoo yet. Going to get a leg sock in the summer even with the legs I have thought long and hard and I know that I may have to constantly wear long pants in certain situations. I want a full sleeve but won't get one until I'm financially able to pay the artist I'm after AND not having to worry in anyway about employment

Maybe get it somewhere else for the first one?

Something to think about, still havnt tell us whether he is going for a full sleeve or half sleeve

On the topic of "Asian style" tattooist. I've been checking out different artist all around the world and tbh the Japanese stuff done by the local guys isn't that impressive...
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[SkinnyPupp]

Just to respond to the above, and share why my tattoos are all visible. I don't want to work for an uptight asshole, and if I am at a job that requires me to look a certain way, I don't want to work there either. Actually I am against working for anyone other than myself, and in fact that is why tattooing suits me.

It's true that people are judgmental, but those people are assholes and dicks and cunts. I think of tattoos as a filter, to eliminate those useless people from my life. There are plenty of people from all walks of life, from little kids to old grannys, who do not judge, and tattoos will help you know who the decent people are. Even in Hong Kong, I am approached by all sorts of people you'd never expect, who want to talk about tattoos.

So that's just the other side of the coin, not really relating to your friend.

As far as "local Asian Style", it's just a style, and you don't NEED it to be strictly traditional Japanese. I get all my tattoos done in Japan, and they don't look like typical traditional japanese tattoos at all. So there's another thing to think about.

That being said, I think the 'asian style' with koi fish and dragons, etc, is a bit of a trend right now, especially in Vancouver. When I went back a few summers ago, I noticed a LOT of people had practically the same tattoo on their shoulder - koi fish with waves. But if that's what you like, there's absolutely nothing wrong with that

[threezero]

Agree with skinnypupp about filtering out uptight assholes. but the thing is you have already found a path for yourselves and you can safely tell assholes to fuck off without having to worry about getting fire. Probably not the case for a 16 yr old.

About Hong Kong, I've befriended a bunch of tattooist in hong kong and they rock full sleeve, neck/hand tattoo etc... they get stare down ALOT when they are not in bars, clubs or tourist area compare to other ppl that only have smallish tattoos here and there. I mean when i go to mcDick with them mothers would shield their child as if my frds are radioactive. Society is generally more relax about one off tattoo, once you go sleeve you are either going get to very positive reaction or very negative reaction.

Also skinny, your white, alot of culturally taboo things in asian doesn't apply to you

of course you also can't be police, corrections or fire fighter if you have any tattoo in hk. show how uptight the whole society still is about tattoos.

And poorly done penis koi fishes are trendy right now imo truly well done tattoos will never go out of style.

[SkinnyPupp]

Yeah that is kind of what I am getting at - being 30, and already knowing who I am, I can make decisions like this. When I was 16, it would have been stupid. I tried the 9-5 thing for a year or so after graduating, and hated it.

[Vansterdam]

My friends son who is under 16 recently got a full sleeve done by one of the artists I posted earlier In this thread, their work is amazing give em a call
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[Phil@rise]

If your getting any script work done make sure you take someone fluent in the written language of script choice.
My bro had a some Japanese script work done and was told it meant "to be different" instead it means "I am different".
Minor difference I know but it could easily be far worst

[racerman88]

hopefully he isn't just getting the tattoo because it looks cool.
Have to look at the bigger picture like how it will affect you in the future like what others have already said.