Realm x Taki Kitamura

Taki Kitamura is an acclaimed Japanese-American tattoo artist who apprenticed under the famed Japanese tattoo master, Horiyoshi III and counts American tattoo pioneer Ed Hardy as a mentor. We met Taki in 2019 when he was a panelist for an exhibition at San Francisco’s Asian Art Museum titled Tattoos in Japanese Prints. Intrigued, we invited him to the winery where he introduced us to the concept of shokunin, a Japanese term that describes a master craftsperson devoted to one profession or task. We immediately felt a connection.

In January 2023 we asked Taki and his wife, Molly Kitamura, to paint the entrance to the caves at Realm’s Whiskey Hotel. Over three weeks, they transformed the utilitarian space into a phantasmagorical scene that blends Eastern and Western iconography with expansive undersea creatures, small oceanic life forms and whimsical flourishes throughout. It is truly a masterpiece.

We invite you to a special Realm x Taki event where we’ll hear from the master himself about his work and relation to Realm and his journey as one of our country’s foremost tattoo artists. Following a wine and food reception we’ll enter Taki’s cave, immersing ourselves in his mural while sharing a selection of wines from our cellar. Scott Becker will lead a lively discussion with Taki on shokunin and the fascinating connection between winegrowing and the art of the tattoo.