Event
BAY GATE - September 15, 2025 - Gateway Contest for Emerging Tattoo Artists in Osaka
BAY GATE 2025 - Tokyo Bay Tattoo Festival Entry Contest
A contest dedicated to emerging tattoo artists with under 7 years of experience is being held in Osaka! The grand prize winner will receive performance rights at the Tokyo Bay Tattoo Festival.
BAY GATE is a contest that aims to create a space where artists who will lead the future scene can showcase and enhance their individual techniques and personalities, with "technical skill" as the evaluation axis regardless of fame.
"Want to improve your technique," "Want to compete with other artists," "Want to perform at the Tokyo Bay Tattoo Festival" - this event is positioned as a gateway for young and emerging artists with such aspirations.
This event aims to dispel negative images of tattoo and irezumi, while cherishing Japanese tradition and providing an opportunity for people to experience the true appeal of tattoos more freely and intimately.
♦️ Event Overview
- Date
- September 15, 2025 (Monday)
- Time
- Doors open: 13:00 ~ Close: 18:00
- Venue
- TRIANGLE Osaka
- 〒542-0086 3F RIBIA Building, 2-18-5 Nishi-Shinsaibashi, Chuo-ku, Osaka City
- Admission
- Advance: ¥2,000 + 1 drink
- Door: ¥2,500 + 1 drink
♦️ Entry Information
Eligibility Requirements
- Tattoo artists with under 7 years of experience
- Or those in training, apprentices, or aspiring artists
- Professional or amateur status irrelevant, self-declaration basis
- Artists already confirmed for Tokyo Bay Tattoo Festival performance are also eligible
Entry Method
Entry Reception
Entry deadline: August 17
Send DM to: @BAYGATE_TBTF
Complete the entry form in advance and apply via DM to @BAYGATE_TBTF.
Entry Form Items
| Item | Details | Required |
|---|---|---|
| Artist Name / (Studio Affiliation) | - | Required |
| Age | - | Required |
| Tattooing Experience | - | Required |
| Activity Region | - | Optional |
| Main Genre | - | Optional |
| Desired Category, Number of Works (People) | - | Required |
| SNS Account Name | - | Optional |
| Self-Introduction | Can be left blank | Optional |
| Goals or Target Artists | Can be left blank, used for post-event publication | Optional |
♦️ Contest Categories
Compete Across 4 Categories
- ①Postcard Size or Smaller - Entry fee: ¥5,000
- ②Around A4 Size - Entry fee: ¥10,000
- ③Arm, Leg, or Chest Panel Size - Entry fee: ¥10,000
- ④Back Panel, Full Chest/Abdomen, Body Suit - Entry fee: ¥10,000
Prizes & Benefits
- Up to 3 works per artist
- Up to 2 works per category
- The best tattoo work will be selected as grand prize regardless of size
- Entry benefit: Works will be photographed on-site and published on the account later
Participants must attend with the client who received the tattoo and register at the venue's 2nd floor reception before entry.
♦️ Commissioner
Hori Shige - General Supervisor
- Studio
- 7th Tattoo Studio
- @HORISHIGE
- Profile
- Born April 1970, traveled to the US alone in 1988. Started apprenticeship under Horitoku in Shinjuku in 1990. Has since trained in Japan and various countries worldwide, particularly exchanging with artists in America and Europe, honing skills through numerous tattoo conventions and guest work.
Major Achievements
- 2011: Live performance as the only Japanese tebori tattoo artist at the Amsterdam Tattoo Museum opening in the Netherlands
- 2018: Demonstrated techniques and performed tattooing on-site as the only Japanese tebori artist at the TATTOO exhibition at the Natural History Museum in Los Angeles, USA
- 2023: Conducted the world's first seminar on traditional Japanese tebori techniques in Lyon, France
♦️ Judges
Bizen
- Studio
- Bizen art tattoo studio
- @BIZENTATTOO
Specializes in Japanese-style tattoos, offering works that fuse tradition with modern sensibilities. As representative of Bizen Art Co., Ltd., operates two studios in Tokyo: "Bizen art tattoo studio" in Omotesando and "Bizenart second" in Harajuku. Continues to promote the true appeal of tattoos while working to dispel negative images of tattoos and irezumi, cherishing Japanese tradition.
IVOLY (Naniwa Aibori)
- Studio
- Ivoly Tattoo Studio
- @IVOLY-TATTOO
Aspired to become a tattoo artist during carpentry education in 2004, began activities in Osaka's Amerika-mura in 2006. Recent years have seen diverse activities including fusion with traditional crafts and success at international conventions.
Recent Major Activities
- 2024: Tokyo Bay Tattoo Festival Sleeve Division Winner
- 2025: WILD TATTOO SHOW (Belgium) ORNAMENTAL Division Winner
- Collaborative sculpture work with danjiri carver Horisuke Saemon
Len Yamada
- Studio
- TATTOO STUDIO YAMADA
- @LEN.5
- Profile
- Born 1995, from Fukushima Prefecture. Operates two tattoo studios in Harajuku: "TATTOOSTUDIOYAMADA" and "Born Losers." Also produces original apparel and runs the YouTube channel "OMOSSY CHANNEL."
HOLY TOMO
- Studio
- Seventh Floor Japan
- @holytomo
- Specialty
- Realistic Black & Grey
- Tattoo Experience
- 11 years
Major Awards
- Taiwan Tattoo Convention 2023 – Best of Show
- GLOBAL TATTOO Magazine 2023 – Best of Magazine
- TOKYO BAY Tattoo Festival 2024 – Best of Realistic
- Wild Wood Tattoo Beach Bash 2025 – Large Black & Grey 2nd Place
Nobu Isobe
- Studio
- Kijinkan (奇人館)
- @NOBUISOBE666
Started career at a tattoo shop in Los Angeles, then worked at TOKYO HARDCORE TATTOO after returning to Japan before establishing Kijinkan in Tokyo's Kagurazaka. Currently active in domestic and international tattoo conventions while specializing in dark and mysterious tattoo content.
♦️ Judging Process
Judging Method
- Judges will score actual tattoo works on-site
- Pre-screening using past work images will be conducted due to large number of applicants
- Event start time may be moved earlier depending on judging schedule
Important Notes
For fresh (newly completed) tattoo works, please ensure proper protection of healing areas and prevention of blood contact for hygiene purposes. Participants must complete entry procedures at the 2nd floor reception.
♦️ Entry & Inquiries
For the latest information and inquiries about entries, please check the official Instagram account.
📩 Entry & Inquiries: @BAYGATE_TBTF
♦️ Related Information
Related Accounts
- Tokyo Bay Tattoo Festival - Main Festival
- TRIANGLE Osaka - Event Venue
Gateway for Tattoo Artists with Under 7 Years Experience
Emerging Artist Development Contest Based on Technical Skill Evaluation
