Customer Reviews

Tattoo Traditions of Hawaii

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

 

 

For those fascinated by Hawaiian and Polynesian tattoos, this is a fantastic resource. There is a great combination of history, mini bios of tattoo artists, as well as stories of current Hawaiian people and their tattoo stories. The book concludes with examples of different patterns and designs, which are common among Hawaiian tattoos.
This is a must for tattoo collectors as well as tattoo shops who stock quality reference material. Mahalo!

This is a very well written book that truly explains the origins of Hawaiian tattoos and tattooing and brings the practice into the modern time and context.
I would have given it a rating of 5 but felt that it could be greatly enhanced with a glossary of Hawaiian language and tattooing terms.
I learned so very much and I am grateful to Tricia Allen for publishing her research and getting interviews with wearers of Hawaiian tattoos and the tattooists.

For all lovers of Polynesian culture, and traditional native tattoo, this is a book you don't want to miss. It is historical, cultural, and modern at the same time. Tricia Allen is a celebrated tattoo artist in Polynesian circles, and to those of us who know and love the cultural connections her designs evoke. If you are interested in any of these things, check out her website, as well as this book.

This book does a decent job presenting the historic beginnings of the traditional Polynesian tattoo. However, it does nothing to bring the reader to understand the spiritual and deep emotional connection the Polynesian people have with this tradition. To that extent, some (not all) of the pictures used are incorrectly described, labeled and/or represented. If you are looking for a decent history lesson, this book is okay. If you really want to know about the history, tradition and meaning behind this tradition, seek out those who practice it in it's truest since by using the traditional tools, not modern tattoo guns. These people have way more (and more accurate) information to share. You will get a much better understanding of the human connection made between the tattooist, the recipient, and the many that are connected through this art.

The author seems to have vast amounts of ACADEMIC research into the tradition and history of this style of tattoo, but she has no connection to the real art, its meanings, and the people it represents. The symbols used in this tattooing are very specific with specific meanings and locations where they may be placed on the body. She doesn't acknowledge this and just puts the symbols in her book as examples without any respect for their importance. She doesn't practice this style of tattooing and doesn't seem to want to acknowledge that this tradition is more than a historical act of a specific group of people.

The best part of this book is the chapter where she has the stories of some individuals that have experienced this connection. That is why I gave it 2 stars, that section and it's decent base of academic history.

PBS has done some wonderful pieces on the tradition of tapping...check them out if you want the human connection.

Very well written with enough visual examples. Much more detailed then expected and relates to the modern use and terms. Would have been even better if there were more design examples given.

This is a very detailed, well researched and written book about the known history of tattoos in Hawaii. However, in trying to design my own meaningful tattoo, I was personally looking for a book that would explain the various meanings of the individual tattoo designs which are common today, which this book does not.

I haven't had a chance to read it all the way through but what I have read is wonderful. A great collection of information on Polynesian tattoo that are just not available in any other place. I'm working on my own art work based on Polynesian tattoos and the information available in this book was/is invaluable. I'm glad I found it.

GREAT BOOK. IT GAVE ME SOME NEW IDEAS. I HAVE MET WITH THE AUTHOR. I WILL BE GETTING SOME INK FROM TRICIA. HAMMER FROM SAN FRANCISCO