Page 19 of Bound By the Yakuza

“No way!” Tatsuya shook his head. “I think it’s great to have a dream.”

“What about you?” I asked. This pillow talk was getting insanely personal, and I enjoyed seeing this softer side of the yakuza soldier.

“I don’t know.”

“Really?”

Tatsuya sighed. “Yeah, really. Being on the front lines means every day could be my last. I never really thought about what I’d do if I wasn’t in the gang. I don’t think I’m good at anything else.”

-

“Are you sure you want to do this?” Tatsuya asked, but he already knew what I would say.

“Yes.”

“Tebori tattoos hurt way more than modern ones,” He warned.

“I don’t care about pain,” I laughed. I was a woman. Pain was beauty.

We were standing in front of a nondescript building down an alley between to bars. There was no sign, just a flickering light above the door. Tattooing was slowly becoming more accepted in Japan, but it was still a source of stigma and rumor.

Tatsuya opened the door to a narrow staircase up to the second floor. A cat was wandering around the halls. He stopped at the first door and knocked distinctly.

A moment later an old man answered. He was stooped over with white hair and dressed plainly. He beamed when he saw Tatsuya. “Tatsuya-kun! So nice to see you again. Are you good? Healthy? Eating alright?”

“Yes, Oji-san,” Tatsuya smiled back and then introduced me. “This is Karina and she would like a tattoo done by the master.”

The old man’s eyes widened. “Ah, what a beautiful woman. I would be honored.” He stepped aside so we could enter the studio. “Come in, come in!”

As then man set up, I examined the beautiful ink drawings framed on the wall. “These are incredible.”

“Takahashi-san has been tattooing yakuza for generations. Anyone who’s worth their word comes to a traditional tattooist to get their irezumi.” Tatsuya explained.

The old man gestured to the leather bench. “Alright, Karina-chan, it is time to begin.”

??

TATSUYA

Karina’s eyes met mine as she examined the tattoo in the mirror; a cluster of delicate pink cherry blossoms at the back of her neck. The art fit her perfectly. I didn’t have a second thought when Karina had asked him to tattoo whatever he thought was best. I had done that on numerous occasions myself. Takahashi was an artist like no other; he was a dying breed.

I smiled and handed the cash to Takahashi. “Beautiful work as always, Oji-san.”

The old man bowed and accepted the money with both hands. “Anything for one of my best customers,

He said. “When are we going to finish your bodysuit, hm, Tatsuya-kun? I’m getting older every day. I want to make sure I finish my finest work before I die.” He was as blunt as ever.

I shook my head. “Don’t talk like that, please.” I knew full well he was in his nineties, but I had never met a more skilled tebori tattoo artist. “I will be back soon, I promise.” I caught Karina staring at me and cleared my throat. “Well, lets get going.”

Takahashi saw us to the door and bowed as we left.

I checked my phone. “Well, it looks like we both have to get back to business.” It was nearly time for me to meet with the kyodai.

The cat in the hallway meowed.

Karina stopped to pet the calico. “Yeah,” She said wistfully. “This was so fun, but we both back to work.” She stood up and touched my hand with a smile.

“I’ll walk you back first.”

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