Japan Ink: Growing tribe proudly defies tattoo taboo, hopes for Olympian boost

People with tattoos gather together for group photos at the annual gathering of the Irezumi Aikokai (Tattoo Lovers Association) in Tokyo, Japan, February 16, 2020. "The event is important because usually we hide our tattoos from society, but just once a year we can proudly show off our tattoos and show each other what new tattoos we've gotten", said the head of the association Hiroyuki Nemoto. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon

TOKYO (Reuters) - Shodai Horiren got her first tattoo as a lark on a trip to Australia nearly three decades ago. Now, tattooed head to foot, even on her shaven scalp, she is one of Japan's most renowned traditional tattoo artists.

"Your house gets old, your parents die, you break up with a lover, kids grow and go," said Horiren, 52, at her studio just north of Tokyo.