Beyond ink: Tokyo tattoo artist goes digital due to pandemic, selling his designs as NFTs


By AGENCY

'It's great for artists to have a new market, it opens a lot of possibilities, ' says Japanese tattoo artist Ichi Hatano, who is selling his designs as non-fungible tokens (NFTs), virtual objects that have taken the art world by storm. Photo: AFP

Tokyo tattoo artist Ichi Hatano's usual business has dwindled during the pandemic, but now he's keen to mine a new stream of income at Japan's first crypto art exhibition.

Hatano's ink featuring Japanese folk creatures was especially popular with foreign visitors until Japan closed its borders to tourists due to Covid-19. Hatano has now gone digital, selling his designs as non-fungible tokens (NFTs), virtual objects that have taken the art world by storm.

Save 30% and win Bosch appliances! More Info

Monthly Plan

RM13.90/month
RM9.73 only

Billed as RM9.73 for the 1st month then RM13.90 thereafters.

Annual Plan

RM12.33/month
RM8.63/month

Billed as RM103.60 for the 1st year then RM148 thereafters.

1 month

Free Trial

For new subscribers only


Cancel anytime. No ads. Auto-renewal. Unlimited access to the web and app. Personalised features. Members rewards.
Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!
Tattoo artist , NFTs , exhibition , digital art , Japan

Next In Culture

'Caravaggio in its purest form': Rare masterpieces showcased in Rome exhibition
Malaysia’s iconic 'kaki lima', portrayed through images and prose
Son of the tiger: Marvel hero Ka-Zar turns 60 this year
Hong Kong museum puts Picasso in cross-cultural dialogue
More chumps than champs: Were the original Champions Marvel's worst superteam?
Weekend for the arts: 'Meet Us At The Ridge' exhibit, UR-MU's Bazar Seni Adilfitri
Ethiopia’s ancient instrument finds new life, healing through timeless melodies
Kebaya opera, Randai Macbeth, corporate zombies make the 20th 'Cammies' nominee list
A small British press gambled on experimental books - and it paid off
Revisiting a Super-story for the ages: 'For the Man Who Has Everything'

Others Also Read