Japan update

Took this photo the other day. It's the Yokohama ferris wheel and a storm was rolling in. Anyway, I thought it looked cool.

We are still in Japan and having a blast. We have been up to all sorts of course, so I thought why not share, plus I have a spare minute to do it. First up we did karaoke for the first time in Japan on Saturday night. We  went out with our friend Kaoru and her friend (who is now our friend) Atz and they showed us how it was done (they could actually sing well, Matt and I...not so much). Matt stole the night with his rendition of Bruce Springsteen's "Dancing in the dark" (that one was for you Rebecca Liston). I prided myself on my efforts of Nirvana's "Lithium". Oh my goodness, karaoke is so much fun! I have of course done it before but I have to say it was pretty awesome here in Japan. We had our own booth and everything, so we could sing whatever we wanted and how ever we wanted. I really didn't want to go home. We are hoping to go again before we go home.

The stars of the night

Think I may be way too into it

Today we had an awesome day. We went to Kamakura, which is really not far from Yokohama. It was a really nice town and I want to go back there and see more. We were a bit limited on time, so only saw a couple of sights. First off we went out for lunch and had ourselves some okonomiyaki, which is probably my favourite thing to eat in Japan. It is a savoury type of pancake (fillings optional) and you cook it yourself on a hotplate that's on your own table. Yum!

Me cooking the okonomiyaki, see I can cook. 

Then we visited The Kamakura Daibutsu (Japan's second largest Buddha image). Which is the Amida Buddha (figure of salvation) and it's amazing to see. It is actually 11.4m tall, you probably can't tell how big it is from the photo. 

The Kamakura Daibutsu

Then we saw the Hase-Dera temple, which houses the Kannon Statue (goddess of mercy). It's not appropriate to take photo's inside the temple, so there is only one from the outside. But it was a 9m high carved wooden statue (but looked covered gold) that is supposed to date back to the 8th century, also amazing to see. 

When we were at Hase-Dera temple we stumbled upon a look out, which we realised we weren't far from the ocean. So we decided to go down to the beach, which can you believe is the first time we have been to the beach in all the time we have spent here. The surf was amazing and Matt was chomping at the bit to hire some gear and get in there. Instead we just watched the waves roll in for an hour or so. I think we are going to have to head back  again before we go.

Matty watching the waves

Having a little dip, can't believe how warm the water was.

And on our way back to Yokohama I took this photo of the storm rolling in (from the train)

And there has been lots of tattooing of course. Matt's hands are still healing, so no pics yet. Although he did post them on instagram (@mattdeverson) last week, if you wanna see. We actually got through heaps on my arm this week and I got a lot of colour now in my phoenix, looks crazy good but I haven't taken any pictures of it yet.

Matt is now booked out for the Melbourne convention too, so thanks for the support and interest! It should be a good show and we are looking forward to it.

Jamie and Simone are still working at the shop, so we aren't closed! Remember to leave a message if no one answers the phones. I am not there to take calls and it's hard for them to get to the phone. 

Also I just wanted to take a minute to acknowledge the problems that are still here in Japan. People effected by the tsunami and earthquake hit regions are still needing much help and there is still work to be done. I know that in Australia (not sure about elsewhere) we don't hear much about what is actually still happening in Japan (through media) and it is easy to think that things are all back to normal. There is still so much to be done and people are still in need of help here. 

Even though we are enjoying our time here in Japan, there isn't a day that goes by that I don't think about what has happened or how people are still struggling here. I hope that our tourist dollars help support a struggling economy.

Japan red cross have information on how to still donate to survivors or help support their efforts at:

http://www.jrc.or.jp/eq-japan2011/donation/index.html#B

Ok, must go. 

Matt has decided to have some input this entry. So everyone should go check out "The Flower Travelin Band". Soooooo good! Japanese prog rock. They are old but oh so good! 

Konichiwa

Our current home, Yokohama

Well we have been in Japan a week now and it is as awesome as always. Matt has finally gotten over his cough/throat infection, so we have been able to get out and about a bit. Friday night we were supposed to go to a baseball game but it got cancelled due to rain, major bummer!! So instead we went to Yokohama China town and went to our favourite  restaurant and had some lovely Japanese food.

Matt in front of the Landmark Tower ( near our apartment in Yokohama)

On Saturday we made a trip down to Osaka and went to Universal Studios. We were like two little kids and raced around to all the rides and I made myself a little nauseous by doing that (damn my weak stomach). First ride was JAWS, which was sweet! I just love how animated the people operating the rides are, they put their heart and soul into it I tell ya! Even though I can't understand what they are saying they still make the ride for me. I was wondering how they can be so enthusiastic when they have probably done it for the millionth time that day, I loved it!

Universal Studios (Jaws ride)

And of course our main reason for going to Universal was to do the "Back to the Future" ride. Matt nearly had a heart attack when we came across an actual Delorean. Not to mention that the actual ride involves sitting in one!

Universal Studios again and the delorean we found (someone is a little bit excited)

On Sunday we went to the Osaka Castle and climbed the many, many stairs to the top (my legs are still aching by the way, so climbing Fuji in a few days is going to be fun). Anyway there was an amazing view of Osaka from the top, which made it all worth it. The rest of the day we spent walking around Osaka and just taking it all in, we are definitely going to have to get back there again next time.

Us being dorks at the Osaka Castle

And on top of Osaka Castle

Yesterday we met up with our mate Crystal and stomped around Harajuku and Shinjuku, checking out the sights (oh and the sights!). I just wanted to sit on the street and stare at all the wonderful outfits and awesome people getting around. I would have taken photos of some of the outfits but I am too shy to ask and I don't want to be rude. Anyways we went to a noodle bar for a bite to eat, checked out an antique store, some book stores and art shops, so that was fun.

Walking around Shinjuku

And the tattooing is going really well. Last Monday we started my left arm (I am getting a phoenix) and Tuesday we finished my right arm (with the dragon). I am obviously really happy with them (as if I wouldn't be), Shige has done an amazing job and I can't wait to see them both finished together. Shige also extended them both across my chest, which I wasn't expecting but have to say I am pretty damn happy with. 

Matt got his Fudo Myoo (right sleeve) finished too. He had sessions on Wednesday and Thursday last week. Even though he was sick as a dog he coped really well with the tattooing (I think getting tattooed was a good distraction from being sick). But his is still healing, so will have to post pics later. Of course it looks fricken awesome! 

Pics of my stuff: I had to chop my head off, I really wasn't feeling it this morning, my head was looking pretty rough :P

So here is a front pic of my finished arm

And side view

And a little preview of the outline on my lefty and how they are going together across my chest

And side view of the phoenix

Matt is currently at Yellow Blaze getting his left hand tattooed as we speak, looks pretty rad but will have to post pics when they are healed too. 

Ok, time to sign off, I have to go clean our abomination of an apartment (how we make so much mess is beyond me). 

Eva and I have been treated to some really nice pieces recently, we're both lucky to have customers who give us an idea and free skin to go to town with, and it's great to get some big pieces finished and looking better than we planned.

Joe

I managed to finish off Anthony's leg today and get a picture of the finished product.

This was a great walk-in piece on Saturday and very fun to do, F.T.W.

Zepplin art work, because they're the best band ever I'm told.

And some Boog flash finished, the top half's healed up, bottom's still red and fresh.

We were back...

Offerings for the ceremony we went to

Well I really have let the blog slip lately, oops. But I have a good excuse, we have been in Bali! We just spent two glorious weeks in the "Island of the Gods" and one of our most favourite places in the world. We had an awesome time and Matt got some well deserved RNR. I won't go on about it too much but I have posted a few little pics. We did get our scuba diving licence while we were there, which took 3 days and was the highlight of our trip. I am so excited because I actually did get my licence about 17 years ago and never used it and not too mention I've nagged Matt about doing it for so long (and I finally talked him into it). So now we are certified we hope to do a lot more diving, we both absolutely loved it!  

Just some beautiful scenery on the East Coast.

We dived a ship wreck and guess Matt is trying to pretend to steer the boat?

I have to say that scuba gear is really not the most flattering

I also have a few pics to post of tattoo's, they have probably been posted before but these are just actually some decent shots we got taken by someone else. So they are from the "photo day" we had recently, where we had a bunch of people come in and take some shots of the work Matt has done on them. They turned out a treat, so I posted a couple of my faves.

Saying goodbye to Bali at Jimbaran Bay

And so we said goodbye to Bali and had a very quick trip home to then head off to Japan again. So we are currently in Japan for the next 5 weeks or so. It's so good to be back in Japan again (our other most favourite place in the world), even if I think the heat is going to actually kill me. We haven't had time to do much so far, Matt has been really sick. So sick that we had to take him to the doctor this morning (before his full day of tattooing, poor thing). So we haven't got out much at all. But anyway, assuming Matt is feeling better, we hope to get out and about by the weekend. And then hopefully I have some fun stuff to post about our time here. 

Sorry if I have taken a while to get back to people on facebook and email, I just really haven't had a chance. For anyone wanting appointments with Matt could you please contact us by phone after the 20th of September? Also would just like to remind people that we are doing the Melbourne Tattoo Expo on the 16th, 17th and 18th of September. If you want to get tattooed, shoot us an email at progressiontattoo@hotmail.com. Please stipulate what you are after, where you want it and size etc  and see the web for further details http://www.tattooexpo.com.au/

Matt will also be working the Auckland Convention in November. So same deal applies, send us an email if your keen and see their web for further details http://aucklandtattoocon.co.nz/home.html

So that's it for now. I am going to sign off so I can go practice my Japanese (which is very rusty, since I have practiced in like forever).

Sayonara!

Budha and Paul tattooing

Busy times

Been a bit busy recently and haven't had much time to update, but here's some of what we've been doing!

Start of a dragon half sleeve, a lot more work to do but it'll end up claret and blue as Mark's a big Hammers fan for some reason

A nice dagger on Chris, fun to keep it simple and traditional

Finally got a healed picture of Dean's half sleeve

A key for Kay, really enjoyed doing this kind a black and grey work

Rose Cover up

Black and grey Swallow, lots of great traditional stuff to do

Another japanese piece as well, looking forward to putting some bright colours in this one

Finished full sleeve

healed phots in a few weeks

new tattoo by Paul

Today! at iron heart

Some fresh snake heads by Paul

Joshua working on a shark 1/2 sleeve

Budha starting on a grim reaper back piece cover up/add on