Born in 1974 in Germany, Alex Kofuu Reinke was for a long time the only and first European who was taken in as an apprentice of a traditional Japanese craftsmanship family, lead by a world famous Irezumi artist of Yokohama, Japan. Alex Kofuu Reinke, just like his former master, only produces traditional Japanese Irezumi Tattoos. This is done by machine and on request by hand-tool (Tebori). By end of 2015 he will be active in this craft for 20 years.
For centuries the art of Irezumi is produced and developed before the Zen background, this unique craftsmanship is a pure form of traditional Japanese art and, apart from the pain during the process of getting it, it is in complete harmony with the human body and soul. It underlines the individuality of its wearer and is of high precision. With its historic figures and other traditional motives the Japanese tattoo is no trend phenomenon but a high class piece of art of stunning beauty. Its wearer becomes automatically part of an ancient Japanese heritage and helps to keep it alive.
Alex Kofuu Reinke is dedicated to keep the traditional Japanese Zen based spirit of kokoro – a simple translation would be heart or mind and in the emotional sense spirit, courage, affection and inner meaning- alive. This kokoro spirit is to be found in every aspect of traditional Japanese craftsmanship, martial arts, society and culture. (source : http://www.holyfoxtattoos.de/)
