Dr. Fukushi Katsunari is part of a fascinating legacy that revolves around preserved human tattooed skin as scientific specimens in Japan. The intricate form of body art known as irezumi, particularly full-body tattoos common among the yakuza, caught the interest of Dr. Fukushi Masaichi. He made it his life’s work to preserve these tattoos after death, resulting in a collection of 2,000 tattooed human pelts with over 3,000 photographs. Despite tragic losses during World War II and a mysterious theft in the United States, Dr. Fukushi Katsunari continued his father’s work, ensuring that the legacy of irezumi tattoos lived on as both scientific specimens and cultural artifacts.
https://www.dannydutch.com/post/doctor-fukushi-masaichi-and-the-art-of-preserving-tattooed-skin