Japanese Backpiece Tattooing
Wabori House is a Private Tattoo Studio in the Sunshine Coast hinterland dedicated to classic Japanese style tattooing. Traditional Japanese backpiece tattoos are strong, bold and have been worn for centuries. This style of tattooing requires dedication and personal discipline.
Japanese Backpiece Tattoo Styles
A kameno-kou Japanese back piece tattoo is often referred to as a tortoise shell as it covers the thighs, buttocks and back.
Munewari is a split chest Japanese bodysuit. Somewhat shaped like a coat, the arms, chest, back and legs are tattooed, with an untattooed space down the middle of the chest.
Soushinbori is a full Japanese bodysuit. A Japanese style bodysuit tattoo includes sleeves, the back and all the way down to the ankles. Typically it is just the hands, neck, feet and genitals that remain untattooed.
What is wabori?
Wabori is the term used to describe tattoos of Japanese designs. For example, tattoos of Japanese warriors, dragons, hannya and koi fish are all considered wabori. Western tattoos that have western designs are known in Japanese as youbori. ‘Irezumi’ is another word that is commonly used in Japanese tattooing - irezumi simply means to ‘insert ink’.
Our Process
Large-scale Japanese tattoos (such as sleeves, backpieces and bodysuits) require dedication, patience and budgeting. We like to make sure if we are making this commitment to complete this work together, that we’re the right fit for each other. At your consult, we will discuss your tattoo design requirements, location and any questions you have. Use the ‘Tattoo Enquiry’ form below to book your consultation.
When you are ready to proceed — we will offer you dates for 4 tattoo sessions (full day is 5 hours). We usually leave 2 to 4 weeks between appointments to allow the skin to heal.
A $200 deposit is required to secure these dates, and that amount is subtracted from your final tattoo session.
Please arrive on time for your session. As the studio is located on private property, no earlier than 10 minutes is appreciated.
Payment for each session is required on the day of the appointment and can be made by cash or bank transfer.
Japanese tattoo shop - The Tiny House of Classic Japanese Tattooing
Established in 2021, Wabori House is a private tattoo studio by Eli Ferguson, dedicated to Japanese style tattooing.
Having lived and worked in Japan, Eli gained invaluable learnings of a culture that is as complex as it is beautiful, not only in tattooing but also in regards to the Japanese way of life. He wanted to bring a small piece of this to the Sunshine Coast.
Eli’s aim is to cultivate a community on the Sunshine Coast who can appreciate and wear large scale classic Japanese tattoos or ‘horimono’.
Backpiece Tattoo Artists
Eli Ferguson
Raised on the Sunshine Coast, tattooing has taken Eli around Australia and Japan to learn from the best and hone his craft.
12 years ago Eli commenced his tattoo apprenticeship in Brisbane under Australian Japanese tattoo heavyweight Brendan O’Connor. Working beneath Brendan, one of Australia’s greats, laid the foundations for Eli’s culturally respectful approach to making Japanese tattoos.
It was through Brendan that Eli was introduced to Japanese tattooist Satoru Koizumi (One Shot Tattoo) and embarked on his first trip to work in a Japanese Tattoo Shop in Okinawa in 2015.
Edward Neo
Edward is a Singaporean tattooer who has been tattooing on the Sunshine Coast for over 6 years. He sets his focus on creating large scale, impactful, and long lasting pieces that speak beyond aesthetics for his clients.
Being of Chinese descent, the oriental culture is deeply rooted in his upbringing. While he takes on a variety of styles, his passion gravitates towards the traditional form of Japanese tattooing, thus building his foundation around this style.