{"podcast":{"title":"TATTOO TALES","slug":"tattoo-tales-784940","podcast_index_feed_id":784940,"rss_url":"https://feed.podbean.com/tattootales/feed.xml","website_url":"https://www.stefbastian.com/","image_url":"https://pbcdn1.podbean.com/imglogo/image-logo/5210255/80181C31-532D-42CA-97F0-B718F8475E68.jpeg","author":"Stef Bastiàn","episode_count":89,"summary":"Go to the roots, not to the fruits. I’m your host, Stef Bastiàn, tattooer with over twenty years of experience, traveler, painter, coach. Join me to improve your artistic, personal and professional journey through the stories and insights of inspiring guests, within and outside the tattoo world. Learn more about my different projects and classes at https://www.stefbastian.com/","last_synced_at":"2026-08-02T10:18:18.206424+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/tattoo-tales-784940"},"episode":{"title":"83. MANAMI OKAZAKI - Japan’s tattoo underworld and artisanal heritage","slug":"83-manami-okazaki-japan-s-tattoo-underworld-and-artisanal-heritage","published_at":"2026-04-13T15:46:42+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/tattoo-tales-784940/83-manami-okazaki-japan-s-tattoo-underworld-and-artisanal-heritage","show_page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/tattoo-tales-784940","url":"https://tattootales.podbean.com/e/83-manami-okazaki-japan-s-tattoo-underworld-and-artisanal-heritage/","audio_url":"https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/uebiuzh5g2t94nhw/Manami_Okazaki_-_FULL_EPISODE6dpi4.mp3","summary":"Welcome into a captivating journey through the hidden and historical world of Japanese tattooing with journalist, author, and cultural expert, Manami Okazaki. In this episode, we explore the dramatic evolution of tattoo media, tracing the shift from the expertly curated pages of traditional magazines to the fast-paced landscape of social media. Manami eloquently explains how the profound, artisanal essence of this craft is often distorted by modern online trends, where popularity rarely reflects true skill and young artists frequently copy designs without understanding their culturally deep source material. Drawing from over two decades of experience, she shares her incredible stories of documenting Japan's vibrant tattoo boom, navigating a complex underworld of shifting characters. Our conversation delves into the deeply rooted philosophy of downtown Tokyo’s artisans. We discuss the intense atmosphere of local celebrations like the Torigoe Matsuri and the vital, living connections between traditional Wabori, religious practices, and seasonal folklore. Manami also offers a refreshing and fascinating perspective on cultural exchange. Finally, we explore the rich historical context of her work, including her books \"Tattoo in Japan\" and her newest \"Fights and Fires of the Flowers of Edo.\" She unpacks the transient, high-spirited nature of Edo-period firefighters, carpenters, and Yakuza, highlighting a culture historically intertwined with the constant consciousness of death. This conversation is a vital and humbling reflection on what it takes to truly preserve the heritage, depth, and community spirit of Japanese artisanal tattooing well beyond mere visual appeal. Follow Manami on Instagram maki23.com Manami’s new book ‘The Japanese Tattoo’ stefbastian.com","meta_description":"Welcome into a captivating journey through the hidden and historical world of Japanese tattooing with journalist, author, and cultural expert, Manami Okaz…","key_points":[],"chapters":[],"topics":[],"duration_seconds":3105,"processing_state":"not_requested","actions":[{"name":"request_transcript","method":"POST","url":"https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/tattoo-tales-784940/episodes/83-manami-okazaki-japan-s-tattoo-underworld-and-artisanal-heritage/transcription-requests","description":"Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode."},{"name":"read_markdown","method":"GET","url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/tattoo-tales-784940/83-manami-okazaki-japan-s-tattoo-underworld-and-artisanal-heritage.md","description":"Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource."}]}}