Fundamentals of Traditional and Modern Polynesian Tattoo

Fundamentals of Traditional and Modern Polynesian Tattoo, is the result of a two-year labor of love from tattoo artist and author, Roland Pacheco. With over 660 illustrations, photographs and diagrams, and over 175 defined motifs, painstakingly researched and documented, Fundamentals of Traditional and Modern Polynesian Tattoo is not only a book for tattoo artists, but one that anyone interested in the art form of tattoo can enjoy. Approaching tattoo from a cultural perspective and exploring the 5 main genres of Polynesian tattoo: Hawai'ian, Marquesan, Tahitian, Samoan and Maori, the author shares his own personal insights as well as those of historians, anthropologists and early European explorers. Fundamentals of Traditional and Modern Polynesian Tattoo, is a massive collection of ancient and modern Polynesian tattoo motifs, as well as a historical and cultural account of what motivated the ancient Polynesians to cover themselves in the protective armor of tattoo.

Roland Pacheco is a 6th generation Polynesian, tattoo artist and author from the Big Island of Hawai’i. He owns and operates, Xisle Custom tattoo in the historic town of Hawi where he has been practicing his craft and researching Polynesian tattoo for the past 8 years. When he isn’t tattooing or writing he enjoys restoring motorcycles, spearfishing and spending time with his wife, Anna.