NOKO, a 15-year-old tattoo artist currently on a temporary return to Japan from her family’s home in the Netherlands, sees the beauty of tattoos in the memories and stories they hold. She often receives messages from people who want to memorialize their beloved pets through tattoos, wanting to keep a part of them close forever. NOKO also highlights another captivating aspect of tattoos: their ability to conceal insecurities and enhance beauty. “My father once tattooed over a client’s scar that was a source of insecurity, and the client was so happy, they cried tears of joy saying their life had changed,” she shares.
NOKO’s father, GAKKIN, is a renowned tattoo artist, and she first picked up a tattoo machine at the tender age of six. “My father asked me to tattoo his pet budgie on his leg, and that was my first experience tattooing on skin. It was small, and it didn’t take very long, but my hands were small then, and I didn’t have the strength to stretch the skin. The machine was heavy, too, so the lines were a bit messy. But looking back, it has a certain charm, and I think it’s cute. My dad calls it a precious memory, and he cherishes it.”
NOKO’s artistic style is characterized by graphical, original motifs, often inspired by her love for cats, plants, and animals. She confesses that she enjoys drawing animals and insects more than humans, and even as a child, her drawings were dominated by bugs and ghosts. Cats, which she fell in love with after moving to the Netherlands, are a frequent subject in her work.
At 11 years old, NOKO posted her tattoo practice on Instagram, and received numerous messages from people eager to be her practice subjects. However, as her following grew and local newspapers picked up on her story, the Dutch Child Labor Authority contacted her, informing her that it was illegal for children to work. She explained that it was purely for practice and free, and they eventually understood. Today, she primarily practices on silicone and fruit.
“In the Netherlands, children are allowed to work after they turn 13, as long as it’s light work that doesn’t interfere with their studies, and they can work every day except Sunday. However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, I stopped tattooing people. I’m 15 now, and I can draw lines much better than before, but school is demanding, and I don’t have much free time.”
The family’s move to the Netherlands was a natural progression, but NOKO’s parents believe it has been instrumental in shaping her. “As long as it’s not bad, they encourage you to be different, and they don’t restrict your clothing, hairstyle, or how you express yourself. I think those experiences in the Netherlands have made NOKO who she is today.”
NOKO’s understanding of tattoos has evolved since her childhood. “I used to think tattoos were just drawings on skin. But I’ve realized that they’re so much more than that. They have the power to make people happy. They’re permanent, so I want to keep improving my design and technical skills.”
