Looking for an English+Japanese speaker to help me out!

[somethingliketh]

Hello all!

This might sound like a strange request, but bear with me!

I currently live in the USA, but would like to get a tattoo done by a specific tattoo artist whose shop is located a little ways away from Tokyo. Unfortunately, before I can visit him to get a consultation done on the tattoo/get work completed, I need to call him and schedule an appointment (or otherwise talk to him about what tattoo I would like, etc.).

Normally I'd suck it up and call, paying overseas phone rates, but the problem is that no one in the tattoo shop speaks English. Non-Japanese speakers have to get a translator to talk with the tattoo artist.

So, long story short, I'm trying to find someone who would be willing to make a call to this tattoo shop and talk to him about the tattoo I'd like and to see what can be done as far as scheduling a tattoo session.

Does anyone have any idea where to look for a volunteer? I don't really have a way to compensate someone for doing this other than good karma (and a meal or two when I fly into Japan to get the work done!!)

Thanks!

 

[Glenski]

Try writing instead.

 

[somethingliketh]

Glenski:

Thanks for the response, but I don't quite know what you mean...? If you're saying I should send the guy an email, I know next to no Japanese (and while I definitely want to learn the language, to learn it to the point of sufficiently and accurately describing my tattoo idea is going to take me at least a year or two!). Also, from reading other sites, the tattoo parlor doesn't tend to respond to emails very often, if ever... most people have luck by calling in.

 

[Mike Cash]

So you have money to pay for:

1. Round-trip airfare from Texas
2. Accommodations in Japan
3. Transportation to and from the tattoo parlor (where is it?)
4. The tattoo itself

But you don't have money to pay for a translator?

Yes, that sounds strange.

 

[somethingliketh]

Mike Cash:

Leaving aside the fact that you know next to nothing about my current finances, I'll simply respond with another question: if you suggest me paying for a translator, can you recommend one?

Thanks!

 

[Mike Cash]

I know that if #1 ~ #4 are true, then it is logical to assume you have money for a translator. I know that if any one of #1 ~ #4 are false, then the whole question is moot.

Just where outside Tokyo is this guy? What's worth paying thousands of dollars in ancillary expenses to get him to do your tattoo? Why not just go to the local strip mall like everybody else?