SHIBUYA HORIKEN – Japanese Handcrafted Ink

This is the first book ever published dedicated to his work. In these 200 pages he chose to collect and present his most significant works from the last ten years, including sketches and preparatory drafts that offer an exclusive insight into his creative process. His work is presented in double-page spreads that feature the same subject in outline form alongside its final colour version. This layout highlights the precision of his linework and the symbolic depth of his creations, which emerge in all their power.

His designs are vibrant tales that blend mythology with classical Japanese backgrounds: air, water, and rock, which Horiken flattens and stylizes in a graphic manner, presenting a contemporary version of his style. The recurring themes draw heavily from classical Japanese iconography: ancient samurai warriors, koi carp symbolizing resilience and transformation, mythological figures like Oni (demons), and protective deities.

It is a tribute to tradition, an opportunity to understand the artistic journey of one of the most talented interpreters of contemporary Irezumi.