Customer Reviews

The Hawaiian Tattoo

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I read my copy of this book I special ordered from my local library prior to ordering it here to buy. Having lived in Hawaii 23 years I found it surprisingly thorough for so short a book. I especially liked the depth the author went to to express the deep religious or other significance certain designs held. I did a search under the author's name and discovered he has many of the designs of which he speaks on his own body, he can speak with first hand authority as to their history or design. He also makes clear the undifinitive nature of Hawaiian tattoos, not all were "sacred" or "royal" and makes clear the transition, or perhaps contamination which occured post white-man contact with missionaries and others. Good, simple illustrations offer the reader easily copied designs to work with in customizing their own design or duplicating one shown. I highly reccommend this to anyone researching Hawaiian tattoo's, the book is very difficult to find outside the state.

The Hawaiian Tattoo is the result of exhaustive research detailing the history of the ancient Polynesian art of tattooing. Significance of the designs is explained in a format easy to read and understand. Until the publication of this book, there was no other book published on this one particular subject. Big Island artist Tom O`o Mehau lends his artictic brilliance and talent in the illustrations. Highly recommended.

this book i'd say is mainly aimed at people who are interested in hawaiian tattoos. it has "only" 60 pages, and it took me maybe four hours to read through it.

it covers hawaiian tattoo history, techniques and terminology, designs and their origins, evolution, and also has a bibliography.

all the information given is very interesting and educating. i'd recommend it as a good volume of reference for anyone interested in hawaiian and/or tribal tattooing.

Quite informative on the history of tattoos in Hawaii but lacking in substance in terms of the actual designs and placement.

partially the same as Tattoo traditions of Hawai'i, a few images, nothing new or not known before