Floating West - Antique Japanese Tattoo Flash from the Collection of Nick York

Straight out of the early 1900s and back on the table. Floating West is a full-scale reproduction of a rare antique Japanese tattoo flash book, preserving dozens of designs originally painted on silk by an anonymous tattooer around the Meiji era.

Curated by collector and tattooer Nick York, this softcover volume pairs the complete flash reproduction with a richly illustrated essay that digs into the book’s strange cross-continental journey and historical context. Dragons, geishas, cranes, snakes, and other classic Japanese motifs fill the pages — raw source material for artists who respect the roots and want real reference, not watered-down imitations.

Why artists and collectors grab it:
• Full-scale reproduction of a rare antique Japanese flash book
• 64-page softcover format (8" x 10")
• Includes illustrated historical essay
• Features classic Japanese subjects and compositions
• Strong reference for traditional and Japanese-influenced work

Old world imagery. Real historical weight. Pure reference fuel.

A gorgeous, full-scale reproduction of a rare, early 20th century book of Japanese tattoo designs. Accompanied by a lushly illustrated essay detailing the book's mysterious origins and curious history. 

Around 1900, an anonymous Japanese tattoo artist painted dozens of extraordinary tattoo designs on the silk pages of a small homemade book: writhing, bearded dragons; elegant geishas; eagles and snakes locked in midair combat; meticulously observed cranes on the wing; a spider in his web, awaiting prey. Within a decade, this enigmatic volume had become the prized possession of an Arkansas farmer and amateur tattooer whose travels never took him beyond the South Central states. Floating West reproduces the original book of designs in its entirety, making a singular object of tattoo history available to artists, enthusiasts, and historians worldwide.

• ARTIST      Various Artists
• AUTHOR    Nick York
  
• PAGES       64
• BINDING    Softcover
• SIZE           8" x 10"
• WEIGHT     0.65 lbs
• CONTENT  Tattoo history, photos and flash images