In all my time at Horiyoshi III's studios, I have seen a female tattoo client just three times.
The studios have no private room. My appointments were always in the afternoon, so initially I guessed that perhaps women’s appointments were in the morning, when somehow greater privacy was afforded them. As I have already told you, there was often a squad of male apprentices and tattoo enthusiasts present. Undressing and getting tattooed in front of them would surely give pause to any woman. It certainly intimidated me at first.
I avoid talking about other clients, so I did not ask about it for many years, but in 2009, I finally inquired with Horiyoshi about his female clientele.
“John-san,” he said in a slightly incredulous tone. “Now, how often have you seen women in my studios?” I admitted that most of the women I had seen were journalists. I asked why he had so few female clients.
“They just don't come here. It's hard for them to undress; it's uncomfortable. Personally, that's better for me. Frankly, I would rather not tattoo women.”
