Alex “Horikitsune” Reinke and His Apprenticeship with Horiyoshi III
Alex Reinke aka Horikitsune was a dedicated student of the renowned Japanese tattoo master Horiyoshi III (Nakano Yoshihito) of Yokohama, Japan. For 17 years, Alex served as a satellite apprentice, traveling between Europe and Japan twice a year—a commitment that led to a total of 46 trips.
His apprenticeship came to an abrupt end in the summer of 2015, when he was formally discharged from the master’s family. This difficult separation was largely due to Alex’s inability to fully meet the master’s expectations during a period of significant personal and family hardship. Today, Horiyoshi III retains only his son as his official apprentice and heir, having severed ties with over 20 former students throughout the years—reflecting the eccentric master’s tendency to distance himself even from long-standing disciples.
The Beginning
Alex’s deep fascination with Japanese culture began early. His first trip to Japan was in 1991, and in 1997, he visited Horiyoshi III’s studio to begin work on his own traditional Japanese bodysuit. The master quickly recognized Alex’s sincere passion and began sharing with him not only tattooing techniques but also broader aspects of Japanese tradition and culture.
In 1999, while visiting Europe, Horiyoshi III proposed the idea of apprenticeship to Alex—in the back of a London cab. He even met Alex’s parents to discuss what was effectively an “adoption” into his family. This marked the beginning of a long and intensive journey as his apprentice.
Given that Alex’s German surname, Reinke, is an ancient word for “fox”—and that his family crest features two crowned foxes—Horiyoshi III granted him the name Horikitsune, meaning “The Carving Fox.” This name and title are permanent, and Alex will carry them for life.
The bond between master and apprentice was exceptionally close, built on mutual respect and heartfelt communication. Despite the painful end to their relationship, Alex remains deeply grateful for the time they shared and the profound influence Horiyoshi III had on his life and career.
