The Hawaiian Tattoo (Paperback)

by P. F. Kwiatkowski (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 75 pages
• Publisher: Halona, Incorporated (December 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0965575608
• ISBN-13: 978-0965575607
• Product Dimensions: 9.7 x 7.8 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #162,691 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Well documented, beautifully illustrated, easy reading., June 14, 1998

By A Customer

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.

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A very thorough research for a fairly small volume., September 9, 2002

By	Richard L. Barlow (Vancouver, WA USA) - See all my reviews

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.

16 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars recommended to people interested in the subject, July 5, 2000

By A Customer

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.