Meet Jess Yen, the master of traditional Japanese tattoo art. Join us as we dive into his remarkable journey and explore the story behind his stunning work.
For the readers who are not familiar with you, how would you introduce yourself?
My name is Jess Yen, also known as HoriYen. I am a Taiwanese American tattoo artist specializing in Japanese bodysuit and Oriental realism tattoos. I offer services in both traditional Japanese hand-poke tattooing, called Tebori, and electrical rotary machines. I have been tattooing since 1992 and established my tattoo family, Horiyenichimon or Jess Yen Tattoo Family in early 2000, based on inheritance and tradition value of appreciation, royalty and honor. I have hundreds of students under Horiyenichimon internationally with six members who work closest with me here in California are Lucy Hu, Kashu Horishin, Man Yao, Horitran, Duy Nguyen, and Sunny Ma. Jess Yen Tattoo Family operates My Tattoo shops in city of Alhambra and Huntington Beach, California.
Can you tell us about your journey into the world of tattooing?
My journey began as a teenager in Taiwan, using a single needle tied to a bamboo stick to tattoo a Kanji on my classmate. I wouldn’t call myself an artist at that time, but it was humble beginning sparked a lifelong passion in tattooing. I got my first tattoo at the age of 16 by Lin and I was also apprenticed under him by “watching, learning and cleaning” so I was able to learn some hand-poked tattooing (Tebori) method and making my own Tebori needles.
Even today, I still remember the days I was getting tattooed by Lin, watching Horiyoshi III sensei pictures hanging on the wall, and we were talking about how great Horiyoshi III sensei’s work and paintings were. Life is like a karmic wheel that brings us together. Horiyoshi III sensei became my mentor in 2007, and our family has been close since then. In 2016, Sensei invited me to co-host an art exhibition called “Korouten” with him. We hosted three consecutive years of collaboration art exhibition in Tokyo, Japan, 2017-2019, and I could never imagine that I would have this opportunity at age of 16. I am truly honored and very appreciative. Sensei always refers to these (honor and appreciation) as a Samurai spirit, Bushido. I want to carry-on Bushido to my next generation of Horiyen family.
How would you define your tattoo style?
I began as a Tebori artist (traditional Japanese hand-poked style). After moving to the US in 90’s, I was encountered with coil machines and was amazed by its speed and capabilities that Tebori method was incapable to achieving. In addition to Western culture influence, I started to add elements of realism, materialism and textures into my work. Realism or illustrative style as I called it, it involved with many techniques and multiple types of shading needles.
Therefore, I study a lot about using different types of needles to accomplish the result I want. Nowadays, rotary machines or “pens” are popular because of easy switching of cartridges so I use them as well. After over 10 years doing realism oriental tattoo works, I am now starting to return to traditional oriental style, which involves more focus of line works. I utilize various types of line needles along with different methods (such as brush line, bold line, dotted line, curve line…etc.) to present my work. I believe simple can be beautiful and powerful.
What’s the main source of inspiration for your creations?
I draw inspiration from Asian culture, especially Japanese mythology, as well as from everyday life, travel, books and literature and my own students. It’s like when you teach someone, you also teach yourself. The richness of these influences helps me create and present meaningful artwork.
What’s the working process for developing tattoos for your clients?
I start with an initial consultation to meet with my clients, listen to their story, understand their vision and do their sizing by using rice paper to shape out the area of tattoo and pin out key points like armpit, elbow existing tattoos or birthmark. Then, I will do research and sketch out the design with their anatomy, and this step will take a few tries, and it is also the most difficult step.
I must think about how I can come up with the best and different design each time for my clients. It’s like I have done more than 100 dragons and how each dragon can be unique and impressive each time. Once the final drawing is completed and I will enlarge it to fit into the sizing taken during the consultation. I prefer to do my tattoos in a precise procedure, meaning I will know exactly how my object, subject, and background flow and place with their body and muscle before actual tattooing.
What’s the single piece of advice that had the most positive impact on your growth as a tattoo artist?
“It’s not where you take things from — it’s where you take them to” quoted by French filmmaker Jean-Luc Godard about originality. As a tattoo artist myself, there is really no originality in my work, but more importantly is how I could escalate it to the next level. This quote has a very positive impact as I grew into who I am today, and how I can bring my signature into my work. When people see it, they know it’s Jess Yen.
What’s the most challenging aspect of being a tattoo artist in 2024?
The industry has become more mainstream and accepted. There have been significant improvements in tattoo technology, tools and techniques. Information on how to tattoo is openly available and barrier of entry is low compared to my time in the 80’s. The most challenging aspect of being a tattoo artist in 2024 is to stay competitive, creative, and know your niche in marketing so you could stand out among so many artists.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a tattoo artist?
I have utmost appreciation toward my clients. The joy and satisfaction of seeing my clients’ reactions to their finished tattoos. Knowing that my work has a lasting positive impact on their lives is the most rewarding and fulling to me, as a tattoo artist.
Do you remember the first tattoo convention you have ever been to?
The first tattoo convention I visited was Tattoo the Earth on August 12, 2000, in San Bernardino, California. It is comprised of a concert tour (musical artist) and body art artists, in an outdoor event, which was fantastic. That was the first time I met Paul Booth, and we became very good friends years later. He wrote a forward for my book, The One, which I cherish greatly for our friendship. Although we do totally different styles of tattoo, I appreciated his art and great contribution in our industry.
You’ve participated in some of the biggest tattoo conventions in the world. Can you share a memorable experience from one of these events?
I have travelled to about 30 countries, over 100 cities and countless tattoo conventions, and each of them, regardless of whether they are big or small, domestical or international, they all are great memories and experiences to me. As I always say to my students, always attend the convention like your first time, every time, then you could always find new things to learn and new people to meet.
What’s your primary reason to attend a tattoo convention?
A tattoo convention is a venue that helps us to relate to other artists and clients, showcase our work, and stay up to date with industry trends. After three years of pandemic, I am even more grateful that we can attend tattoo conventions again, meet with both old friends and new friends in person. Life is short and time is fast, so I enjoy every moment I can have with everyone.
What do you think the future of the tattoo industry looks like, and what new trends are on the horizon?
The tattoo industry has become more mainstream, and more people are entering the industry. I think the tattoo industry will become more “standardized” worldwide. I didn’t mean the art, but the training program. Future tattoo artists will be able to obtain a world recognition certificate and/or college degree in body art, which allows them to travel worldwide to work.
I am still a traditional artist who uses pencil and sketch paper to draw out designs and was never good with Adobe photoshop or Procreate. In these days, AI (artificial intelligence) changes everything. How AI could have impact on tattoo industry, I will be looking forward to seeing it. However, I hope people don’t lose their skills of hand drawing.
What advice would you offer to someone considering a career as a tattoo artist?
I would advise seeing tattooing as a career, not just a job. With so many tattoo artists now, you must stay competitive by studying different art forms and cultures, and constantly practicing your drawing and design skills. Always be eager to learn. We are all lifelong apprentices in art. You don’t want to be a tattoo artist who finishes all your family and friends’ tattoos and realize that you don’t have any more clients.
Who are the people you admire the most within the tattoo community?
I have utmost respect for our senior tattoo artists. Some of them are in our memory while others are living legends. They have paved the road for the tattoo industry to be as expansive as it is today. Each of them, whether specializing in black & grey, Japanese, portrait, or Americana styles, has made extraordinary and unforgettable contributions. Master Horiyoshi III Sensei from Yokohama, Japan, is not only my mentor and favorite tattoo artist but an idol to me.
I remember seeing his picture on the wall when I was got my first tattoo at 16 in Taiwan. I respect not only his discipline, but also the tradition and artistic level he embodies. Our relationship grew close since my first visit in 2007, and in 2016, Horiyoshi III Sensei invited me to co-host “Korouten Art Exhibition” in Tokyo, Japan. We have collaboratively hosted Korouten Art Exhibition for three years. It was a dream coming true. Sensei told me that I was the only tattoo artist who had an art exhibition with him, I am truly honored.
What’s your experience with being sponsored by big names in the tattoo industry?
I am very fortunate to get to know the owners of my sponsorship companies and become good friends. I understand their vision and see how they have grown over the years. I am honored to be representing their high-quality products which they have worked hard for it. I am thankful for the opportunity and support that we could help each other to grow bigger and better.
Do you do other forms of art besides tattooing?
Yes, due to my fine art background and experience as an interior designer in the early 90’s, I am a multi-media artist who specializes in marker Copic, pencil, charcoal, watercolor, acrylic and ink wash. During three years of Korouten art exhibition with Horiyoshi III sensei, I did most of my art in human-size tall rice paper scrolls using brushes and inks. In these days, I do most of my art in pencil and markers. Occasionally, I participate in friends’ exhibitions or art charity auctions, where I create art in watercolor or acrylic.
What are your goals or dreams for the near future?
I am planning to host a tattoo convention in Fukuoka, Japan with my partner, Horiyo @horiyotatt, in early November 2025. Fukuoka is third-largest city in Japan (after Tokyo and Osaka) and located in Kyushu, known for its natural hot spring (onsen) and maple leave in November (Fall Foliage). Horiyo and I would like visitors and artists have a spectacular experience with Japanese food, art, music and culture, while also enjoying tattoo art, competition and entertainment. Please keep an eye on our Instagram account @risingtattooexpo for announcement.
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