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News broke last week that Jimmy Ho, one of Hong Kong’s most iconic tattoo artists, has passed away at the age of 82. For anyone who’s been part of the city’s tattoo culture or just appreciates the old-school roots, Jimmy was more than an artist – he was a pillar of the local tattoo scene.
Born in 1944, Jimmy Ho grew up in the trade. His father, James Ho, is widely credited as Hong Kong’s first professional tattoo artist, opening Rose Tattoo Studio back in 1946 after arriving from Shanghai. Jimmy jumped into the family trade at just 14 years old and spent his entire career honing his skills, building a reputation for bold designs that blend American traditional style with Japanese and Chinese influences.
While tattoos once carried heavy stigma, mostly tied to rebellion, triads, and gang activity, Jimmy championed the distinctive style of the Hong Kong tattoo genre and devoted his life to preserving the craft. He was a true OG in every sense – dedicated, skilful, and pivotal in turning tattoos into a celebrated art form.
Jimmy eventually took a step back from tattooing in his later years, and around 2019 his protégé Justin Ng took over the day-to-day operations of the shop, International Tattoo (國際紋身)/Jimmy & Justin Tattoo. No official word has surfaced on whether there’ll be any changes going forward, but for now, it seems that Jimmy’s legacy will live on through Justin.
Jimmy’s ink tells stories that’ll outlast us all. If you’re looking for inspiration for your next tat, consider swinging by their Mong Kok shop (Flat C, 2/F, Po Lun Building) to pay your respects.
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