Homeward Bound: The Life & Times Of Hori Smoku Sailor Jerry

The Book Homeward Bound: The Life and Times of Hori Smoku Sailor Jerry explores the life, times and artistic legacy of the father of the old-school tattoo, Norman "Sailor Jerry" Collins. In much the same way as the critically acclaimed cult film, Hori Smoku Sailor Jerry, this limited edition, 128-page, hardbound book uses the life of Sailor Jerry as the conduit to deliver a visual ethnography of American tattooing. Previously unseen photographs include not only rare images of Collins, but also Hawaiian life in the mid-20th century and anecdotes are illustrated with ephemera and essays collected during the making of the film.

Available in the Sailor Jerry Shop

Read excerpts by clicking on links below.

The Asian Influence

"The Japanese tattoo tradition serves as the single greatest influence on Jerry's work. His ability to fuse that inspiration into American tattooing sealed Jerry's place as the godfather of modern tattooing..."

At Sea

"Jerry's time at sea became the overwhelming influence on his life. He relished camaraderie of the Navy..."

The Apprentice

"Jerry first tried tattooing as a teenager by hand-poking designs on willing customers with whatever supplies he came across while hitchhiking and hopping freight trains across America..."

The Rise of Tattooing in America

"By the end of the nineteenth century, tattooing became a sensation, and although most Americans did not have tattoos, it was a subject too prominent to be ignored..."