On the one hand the Japanese tattoos and a great respect for tradition. On the other hand the desire to evolve his own style by looking at elements and patterns linked to the art of the Western Renaissance or Baroque, combining them together in a new way.
This is the philosophy behind the creativity of Jehoo, the tattoo artist we met at the Golden Star Tattoo in San Francisco, who combines Japanese tradition with the future of his own style as he says: “the past, present, and future are always changing, and people always want something new and special”.
Hello Jehoo, can you tell me something about your life? How many years have you been tattooing and why did you decide to be a professional tattoo artist – talent aside – among so many professions that exist in this world?
I have been doing tattoos for 13 years now, and before that, I was a machine engineer at a steel company. I was tired of living my life in the same routine, in the same time and space, and I wanted to find my dreams.
After all, we only live once and we will eventually die, and I didn’t want to take unfulfilled dreams and attempts to my grave.
So what was your winning move?
I always enjoyed drawing since I was young, but due to family circumstances, I had to give up going to academies or college. Therefore, I thought that tattooing was something I could achieve with my drawing skills. That’s why, one winter in 2012, in my small room, I called myself a teacher and marked the starting point by tattooing a dirty and painful dream on my thigh.
Your work look like a 100% Japanese tattoo style to me. How important is the genuine value of “tradition”?
Yes, I have studied Japanese tattoos by looking at Traditional tattoos. I believe in respecting tradition as it is, but do not give it any other meaning. The past, present, and future are always changing, and people always want something new and special.
There is a though, isn’t there?
Yeah. Therefore, we must always think and create new things without being bound by tradition. Just as waves eventually erode rocks, we tattoo artists must also continue to erode and change with that mindset.
The floral element (very complex in terms of design) seems to be one of your artistic peculiarities…
My style strives for balance within complexity. I have pursued a distinctive background outside of the traditional Japanese style and continue to study.
How did you discover this inclination of yours since you often design also Tigers, Carps, Masks and other typical subjects of oriental tattooing?
I enjoy Korean traditional painting and Eastern pattern art, which still influence me. The themes of my tattoos mostly consist of Eastern elements, and the style also seeks to be Eastern. In the future, I want to create a harmonious tattoo style that combines the Renaissance or Baroque patterns of the West with those of the East.
If you had to thank one person in particular (other than family, friends, and loved ones) related to tattoo art who would you name? I mean – a person you may not have even known in your personal life but you still would like to thank…?
I have never idolized any specific person, but not long after I started getting tattoos, I happened to come across a tattoo artist named East Tattoo Yang (IG: @east_tattoo_yang), and since then, I have been harshly critical of myself and showered myself with insults, comparing myself to him. It still remains vividly in my memory…
He is a person who despite having only one hand, creates amazing tattoos.
He is a true artist! I have never met him or even known him, but I want to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to this great person called East Tattoo Yang.
Can you describe the atmosphere of the ‘Golden Star Tattoo’ in San Francisco’s Chinatown district? It really seems like a gateway to an exotic, fascinating, millennial world…
‘Golden Star Tattoo’ (IG: @goldenstartattoocompany) is considered as an outstanding tattoo shop and also a prominent Oriental shop in the United States. Owner Matt Ahn along with Titogavina, Rok.nee, 415tea and Hocheon – we respect each other and grow together by inspiring and helping each other. We all specialize in Japanese and Oriental styles and take pride in being a strong oriental-style shop in the United States.
Have you already planned any tattoo conventions and prestigious guest spots in early 2024?
Due to extensive research on tattoo styles and a high number of appointments, I plan to start traveling to the United States in June 2024 and attend conventions in some countries in Europe. The exact plans have not been finalized yet, but they will be soon, and I look forward to meeting new connections through these plans.
