Japanese Tebori

One of my favorite things about tattoos is the different methods used around the world. It is, to me, something that links all tattooed people together, across continents and cultures. We have different motives and methods, but we all wind up covered in ink.
My favorite method of tattooing is the tebori method used in Japan. The tebori method originated between the late 1800s and early 1900s and employs a small group of needles attached to a bamboo rod; Unlike the electric tattoo machine, tebori is done by hand. One hand holds an area of skin taut while the other hand repeatedly drives the needles into the skin. Typically this method is used on large pieces with many layers and minute details.

(source)

Throughout most of the country's history, tattoos have been reserved almost exclusively for members of the Yakuza, an elusive Japanese mafia. Members would show their allegiance by covering themselves in entire body suits, typically cut off right before they reach the wrists and ankles. These body suits depicted mostly traditional Japanese imagery- dragons, lilies and blossoms, koi, samurai, etc. 

"...ladies." (image source)

Because tebori is done by a hand using individual strokes, the process takes much longer and is considerably more painful than a traditional western electric machine. I have a hard enough time with the electric machine covering most of my body that only in another life would I have the capacity to do a body suit in tebori style. But in that life, my suit would be awesome.