From his hilltop studio in the suburbs of Tokyo, Taku Oshima is reviving an ancient form of body art tradition he believes was practiced by the indigenous hunter-gatherers that inhabited Japan thousands of years ago.

Lines, circles, dots, spirals, and other geometric shapes and patterns are emblazoned on the bodies of his clients. The bold, intricate tattoo designs created by Oshima are immediately recognizable for their enigmatic motifs and solid plains of black ink.

"Archaeological evidence suggests the Jomon people keenly embraced body modification, including dental transfiguration and piercing, as a form of expression," Oshima says, referring to the earliest culture of prehistoric Japan thought to have lasted roughly between 16,000 years and 3,000 years ago.