Since its rediscovery, this unique photographic archive has been presented in a variety of contexts — photography festivals, tattoo conventions, studios and galleries. Each exhibition offers an opportunity to share this little-known collection of rare images, taken in Tokyo in the 1950s, at the heart of a distinctly Japanese art form long marked by prohibition.

By exhibiting these photographs, we shed light on an underground world, an ancient art passed down in secrecy, and the singular perspective of a writer fascinated by the margins.

This section documents past exhibitions and opens the door to future collaborations.
Are you a curator, programmer, or cultural venue director? Please get in touch via email: info@thetattoowriter.com.

Past exhibitions (chronological)

2025

• Never Stop Reading Bookstore – Zurich, Switzerland.
  Exhibition of 18 silver gelatin prints (30×30 cm format) and 2 large-format prints (1×1 m).
  Opening event with Pascal Bagot, Swiss tattoo artist Ryu Hadouken (specialized in the Japanese style), and Sandro Plantera.

2024

• Photometria International Photography Festival – Galerie 3Portes – Ioannina, Greece.
  Exhibition of 21 silver gelatin prints (30×30 cm and 50×50 cm formats).
  Talk: “Tattooing in 1950s Tokyo through the lens of Akimitsu Takagi” by Pascal Bagot.

• Exhibition El Arte Bajo La Piel – Caixa Forum, Valencia, Spain
  Exhibition of 2 silver prints in 30×30 cm format in the Japan section.

• The Big London Tattoo Show – ExCel London – London, United Kingdom.
  Exhibition of 14 silver gelatin prints (30×30 cm format) and 2 large-format prints (1×1 m).

• Biribi Tattoo Meeting – MOB Hotel – Lyon, France.
  Exhibition of 16 silver gelatin prints (30×30 cm format).

• Quais du Polar Festival – Artribal – Lyon, France.
  Exhibition of 16 silver gelatin prints (30×30 cm), 2 prints (50×50 cm), and 1 large-format print (1×1 m).

• Brighton Tattoo Convention – Brighton Centre – Brighton, United Kingdom.
  Exhibition of 16 silver gelatin prints (30×30 cm format).

• Tattoo Planetarium – Grande Halle de La Villette – Paris, France.
  Exhibition of 20 silver gelatin prints (30×30 cm format) and 2 large-format prints (1×1 m).

2023

• Maison Yōsō – Paris, France.
  Exhibition of 12 silver gelatin prints (30×30 cm format) and 1 print (50×50 cm format).

• Exhibition El Arte Bajo La Piel – Caixa Forum, Saragosse, Spain
  Exhibition of 2 silver prints in 30×30 cm format in the Japan section.

• Florence Tattoo Convention – Fortezza da Basso – Florence, Italy.
  Exhibition of 18 silver gelatin prints (30×30 cm format).
  Talk: “Tattooing in 1950s Tokyo through the lens of Akimitsu Takagi” by Pascal Bagot.

• Baum Fest – Fira de Barcelona – Barcelona, Spain.
  Exhibition of 10 silver gelatin prints (30×30 cm format).

• Art Tattoo Show Montréal – Grand Quai du Port de Montréal – Montreal, Canada.
  Exhibition of 18 silver gelatin prints (30×30 cm format).
  Talk: “Tattooing in 1950s Tokyo through the lens of Akimitsu Takagi” by Pascal Bagot.

• Tattoos of the Floating World: The Body in Japanese Imagery exhibition – Musée des arts asiatiques de Nice, France.
  Exhibition of 2 silver prints in 30×30 cm format.
  Lecture by Pascal Bagot: ‘Tattooing in Tokyo in the 1950s as seen by Akimitsu Takagi’.

• Exhibition El Arte Bajo La Piel – Caixa Forum, Saragosse, Spain
  Exhibition of 2 silver prints in 30×30 cm format in the Japan section.

• Gods of Ink – Messe Frankfurt – Frankfurt, Germany.
  Exhibition of 12 silver gelatin prints (30×30 cm format).

2022

• Exhibition El Arte Bajo La Piel – Caixa Forum, Barcelone, Spain
  Exhibition of 2 silver prints in 30×30 cm format in the Japan section.

2021

• Exhibition El Arte Bajo La Piel – Caixa Forum, Madrid, Spain
  Exhibition of 2 silver prints in 30×30 cm format in the Japan section.
• Irezumi, the Art of Japanese Tattooing Exhibition – Écho119 Gallery – Paris, France.
  Exhibition of 12 silver gelatin prints (30×30 cm format) and 1 large-format print (1×1 m).