82. ‘HORIBUDO I’ ROBERTO BORSI - Traditional Japanese Tattooing, Tebori, and Lifelong Mastery

About this episode

In this episode, Stef Bastiàn interviews traditional Japanese tattoo artist Roberto Borsi about the dedication and artistry involved in Tebori techniques and tattoo culture.

Step into a humbling reflection on dedication that echoes the slow, deliberate rhythm of the traditional Tebori techniques we discuss. In this episode, I sit down with Roberto Borsi, a traditional Japanese tattoo artist based in Milan, to explore what it truly means to submit to an ancient craft. Roberto breaks down why tattooing is not just a profession, but an immersive lifestyle akin to a martial art that demands lifelong, continuous study. Our conversation traces Roberto's fascinating journey, starting from his childhood awe of sailors' shark and mermaid tattoos to experimenting with homemade machines in the late 1970s. He shares his experience studying art at the Academy of Brera in Milan, where he became one of the first to bring tattooing into an Italian academic setting, relying on imported books long before the internet made reference materials easily accessible. Roberto, as a member of the Horitoshi I family, explains to us the value and uniqueness of the Tebori technique he practices, and the absolute necessity of respecting seasonal rules, mythology, and correct color combinations rooted in folklore to maintain the integrity of the art form. Those are the words of an…

People in this episode

Host: Stef Bastiàn

Guest: Roberto Borsi

Topics covered

• traditional Japanese tattooing
• Tebori techniques
• lifelong mastery
• tattoo culture
• artistic dedication
• martial arts
• folklore in tattooing

Keywords

• tattooing
• Tebori
• Japanese art
• martial arts
• Roberto Borsi
• traditional techniques
• Milan
• tattoo culture
• art education
• folklore

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Academy of Brera, Horitoshi I

Books & works: Primordial Pain Tattoo

Places: Milan

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