What role do tattoos play when life gets impossibly dark? Live from the Golden State Tattoo Expo in Pasadena, Aaron Della Vedova sits down with tattoo collector and mental health advocate Koichi to share an deeply moving story of survival and transformation.

Diagnosed with schizophrenia at 22, Koichi faced severe mental health battles before turning to tattooing as a way to physically rebuild his identity. Alongside artist Ricardo Camargo (Zenith Tattoo L.A.), Koichi transformed his body into a canvas of fine art—enduring the process completely sober as a form of grounding meditation. Together, Aaron and Koichi discuss tattoos as psychological armor, physical vs. emotional pain, and finding community through ink.

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 – Introduction & Pasadena Golden State Tattoo Expo

00:42 – Meeting Koichi & His Full-Body Tattoos by Ricardo Camargo

02:42 – Schizophrenia Diagnosis & The Start of His Tattoo Journey

05:22 – Tattoos as Armor & Healing Scars

05:42 – Aaron’s Story: The War Veteran Who Wanted to Erase His Past

09:46 – Overcoming Darkest Moments & Suicide Struggles

10:42 – The Meaning Behind "Koichi" (First Light in Japanese)

12:42 – Reclaiming Control & Rebuilding Self-Worth Through Art

15:12 – Writing a Book & Promoting Male Mental Health Awareness

16:42 – Finding Community & A Tribe in the Tattoo World

19:22 – Tattooing as a Collaborative Art Form

20:42 – No Numbing Cream: Why Tattoo Pain is the Ultimate Mindset Teacher

22:42 – Shutting Off Mental Noise & Emotional vs. Physical Pain

26:42 – Tattoo Meditation & Training the Mind

28:57 – Will the Journey Ever End? Touching Up vs. Full Coverage

31:12 – What's Next? Tattooing the Butt to Connect the Backpiece

31:42 – Closing Thoughts: Tattoos as Healers

QUOTES

"It kind of gave me a type of armor to cover up old scars, to create new scars for me to feel comfortable in my own skin." — Koichi

CONNECT WITH KOICHI:

Instagram: instagram.com/koichimynichi