Miami Ink’s Chris Garver on Japan

My good friend Chris Garver from the Miami Ink Television Show has spent some time in Japan tattooing and I thought it would be interesting to get his perspective on Japanese culture. I conducted a short interview with Garver about his experiences in the far east and it goes a little something like this…

Billy: When was your first trip to Japan and why did you decide to go?

Garver: My first trip to Japan was for the 1st International Tokyo Tattoo Convention in 2000. I knew it was going to be huge so when I was invited I jumped at the chance!

Billy: How much time did you spend tattooing in Japan? Was it much different than tatting in the U.S.?

Garver: I went to Japan twice and stayed for about a month each time and then I went for 6 months to work at 3 Tides Tattoo in Osaka. The clients were much different than in the States. They show a lot more respect to the artists and usually they bring a gift of some sort before they get the tattoo which is smart….it’s like getting a tip first! The design concepts were usually really good too. It was rare to get a stupid request from a client unlike the U.S.

Garver and I – Thanksgiving 2008 – Sukiyaki (not Turkey!)

Billy: If you could have a Japanese name what would it be?

Garver: I would probably go for something like HoriBunta Sugawara.

Billy: Do you see yourself traveling to Japan in the near future?

Garver: I haven’t been to Japan for a few years so I am having withdrawal symptoms! Hopefully in the Spring or Fall of this year.

Billy: What songs are in your karaoke repertoire? and do you think you have what it takes to compete in the Japanese Karaoke Championships?

Garver: I suck at Karaoke! If it’s a serious place they usually get mad at me! hahahhaha! But I can do a Ramones song and probably get away with it though.

(Billy’s 2 Yen): I can see Garver singing this Ramones song pretty well.

Billy: Do you have any funny memories about Japan that you’d like to share with us?

Garver: The very first night that I arrived in Japan my friend Mark sent a girl to meet me in Shinjuku to take me to his house. He wasn’t going to be there until the next day so she took me out drinking. We got really shitfaced and she ended up passing out! I didn’t know how to find his house so I was trying to revive her on the street.

She finally came to and we got lost for a bit until we finally found our way back. When we got there the sun had already come up and she realized that she had lost the keys! There was a window about 8 feet off the ground that was open a little bit. I gave her a boost to climb in and when the neighbor came out to get the paper! he was pretty suprised to see us breaking in…especially since she was wearing a short skirt with a thong underneath! Luckily he must have remembered seeing her around town because he didn’t call the police. I’m sure if it had been his wife it would have been a different story!

On a serious note, Japan is one of my favorite places in the whole world! I really respect the culture (new and old). It has amazing art, music, people, and food. I’ve never had a dull moment there and I look forward to going back sometime soon.