Irezumi · Black & Grey · Realism — New Jersey

Stories worn
for life.

Traditional Japanese work built the long way: full backs, sleeves, and leg pieces drawn to the body, then tattooed over the sessions it actually takes.

New Jersey Booking 4–6 weeks out Guest spots · Seoul · NYC
01

About

Hajun Ko (고하준), who also works and posts under the name juniism, is a tattoo artist based in New Jersey.

His signature work is irezumi, traditional Japanese tattooing, built as full backs, sleeves, and leg pieces over the number of sessions the piece actually needs. He also works in black and grey and in realism, usually on smaller standalone pieces.

Alongside the tattoo practice he is writing a reference volume on the 108 heroes of the Water Margin and how those figures translate into Japanese tattoo composition. He takes guest spots in Seoul and New York and competes at conventions on the east coast.

  • Name
    Hajun Ko (고하준)
  • Also known as
    juniism
  • Based
    New Jersey, United States
  • Specialty
    Irezumi, traditional Japanese
  • Also works in
    Black and grey, realism
  • Instagram
  • Contact
02

Work

Large-format Japanese pieces are the core of the practice. Black and grey and realism sit alongside it, usually for smaller standalone work.

Musha — Leg PieceIn progress · 6 sessions
Hannya & SerpentFull sleeve · Healed
Koi in Still WaterForearm · Healed
Fudo Myoo — BackIn progress · 11 sessions
Portrait StudyInner bicep
Ryu & PeonyChest panel
Wave FillerRibs
KintaroThigh · Healed
03

The Book

A working reference on the 108 heroes of the Water Margin and how they translate into Japanese tattoo design. Volume one covers the 36 Heavenly Stars.

Volume One
水滸伝 三十六天罡星
Hajun Ko
  • Contents
    36 hero profiles, each with source notes, established motifs, and how the figure is composed on the body.
  • Design
    A closing section on irezumi background elements — wave, wind bar, cloud, and how they carry a composition.
  • Format
    Print run of 50, hand-numbered. Digital edition watermarked per reader.
  • Release
    December 2026
Join the release list
04

Dates

Guest spots and conventions. Books for each date open roughly eight weeks ahead.

05

Press

Interviews and features. Each links out to the original.

06

Booking

Tell me what you want and where it goes. Large Japanese work is booked as a series of sessions, not a single appointment.

A deposit holds your first session and comes off the final sitting. Large work needs a consult before anything is drawn.

Request sent. You'll hear back within a few days.