One of the most magical times in my life was walking through Ueno Koen with the cherry trees in full bloom. The fluttering petals fill the soft breeze with oscillating color. It is almost like a blizzard as you walk by the dozen (hundreds?) of soft pink trees.

The thing about tattoos is that before I was into photography I was not a fan. I'm not sure why, perhaps I had known too many kids that seemed to do it out of a sense of rebellion. But, as time has gone on I have met more people that view it as a living form of art on their bodies.

There is a generational divide when it comes to tattoos and there are cultural differences as well. There is a real danger associated with tattoos in Japan. It has become hip, but when I was in high school I saw firsthand the association of tattoos, organized crime, and intimidation. It was not a laughing matter.

Women in Japan, at least when I lived there, wouldn't wear these colors. But, to me they are quite beautiful.