Tatau: Marks of Polynesia

The Japanese American National Museum’s newest exhibit, “Tatau: Marks of Polynesia” (July 30-Jan. 8, 2017), explores tattoos in Samoan culture, a history and art form that dates back 2,000 years. Curated by San Jose-based, Japanese-American tattoo artist and author Takahiro “Ryudaibori” Kitamura (who curated the museum’s previous exhibit on Japanese tattoos), these photographs of inked masterpieces were taken in a studio and on location in Samoa, as well as in New Zealand, Hawaii, California and Nevada. The display’s opening day events include live tattoo demonstrations, catalog signings and lectures by Kitamura and others.