Brian Kaneko: Tattoo Artist and Shop Owner / Coffee Bo$$ / Dad / Shokunin Karmic Yogi

Sagewolf Interviews

@truenaturetattoo
@truenaturetattoostudio
truenaturetattoo.com
The scene:
We are at Brian’s house in his kitchen and he is making me a fancier coffee than I’ve ever had anywhere in the world, including Santa Monica. Even the water is being weighed for christ’s sake. I feel very fancy but this is just the daily, artful, thoughtful way that Brian lives his life. Somehow it’s not annoying, probably because he’s been the same for the 23 years that I’ve known him. Join us for coffee and a study of human evolution. Fair warning: we discuss penises and use salty language in this interview!
Highlights:
+ Doing a mindful task first thing in the morning (fancy coffee)
+ We should curate what goes into our minds as much as we do our body
+ What is the meta verse? We don’t want to know
+ Forest bathing is a Japanese term - Shinto is a nature-based religion
+ Japanese culture ingrains nature in you
+ We should be more sensitized to the world
+ Having an autistic son - a more genuine version of a human
+ Simply be kind and considerate of others - duh
+ Interacting with people every day and performing a craft with your hands
+ “Not everything new is bad and not everything old is important”
+ Don’t be a lemur, or a dinosaur
+ Knowing what’s possible, why would you settle for less?
+ Nirvana is to kids now what the Beatles was to us
+ What you’re passionate about can be in each of your life actions
+ Life doesn’t have to be separated or compartmentalized
+ Tattooing since 18 yrs old
+ Shokunin - having technical skills and an attitude in social consciousness. Being obligated to + do your best for the general welfare of the people
+ Doing a good job because that’s what you do, not because you’re getting a tip
+ Inspired by comic books and mom’s boyfriend who had a tattoo by Ed Hardy
+ Ed Hardy brought intellectualism and a large range of art styles to Western tattooing
+ Bill and Junii Salmon (famous tattoo artists) took him under their wing
+ There were so few people tattooing at that level, you had to really bring something to the table
+ There is a huge range of value in tattoo styles and no right or wrong
+ A great tattoo artist puts all their intention into their work and their client’s experience
+ Every single part of your life can be cared for with equal importance, equal pride and intention
+ “You’re as good as the company you keep”
+ Stick with what you have - dial it in
+ Most people define themselves by what they HAVE, instead of who they are BEING
+ Loving your work because it is who you are being
+ Finding balance so you don’t feel like you’re not doing anything well
+ “Money isn’t about what you can have, it’s about the stress you don’t need”
+ Pay attention to compound interest - Einstein knew what was up
A taste:
“I try to see it all as one thing honestly. I don’t separate it into things. I’d like to think I put as much energy or thoughtfulness into making coffee or taking a shower or setting out the vitamins or doing a tattoo. Karma Yoga. Anything you do, be thoughtful of what you’re doing.”
Favorite quote:
“We tried to find a common goal in life because she couldn't rock and roll with me and I couldn't avant-garde with her. I mean we can, but that's what we thought at the time. So we decided the thing we had in common was love and from love came peace. So we decided to work for World Peace.” From the book "Imagine John Yoko" by John Len

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Love, Sagewolf xoxo