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Pinky Bing Kwan Yun

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Pinky Yun Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Dec. 2, 2010.

Brief Biography Born Yun Bing Kwan, also known as Pinky, on October 29th, 1927 in Canton, China. Pinky first learned hand tattooing at the age of 16. After the Communists took over in 1949, Pinky moved to Hong Kong. Throughout the years Pinky operated shops in Kowloon, Macao, Taiwan, and he tattooed in Japan during the Korean War. Pinky moved to the United States in 1972 and opened a shop in Alameda, California. In 1981, Pinky settled in San Jose until he retired during fall of 2009. Died December 2, 2010, survived by his wife, Shun, 5 children and 4 grandchildren. Pinky has been best known for his ambidextrous free hand drawing skills and unique Oriental dragon designs. He created a culture fusion of Oriental mythologies and philosophies with Western art. An icon and a legend in the tattoo world, Pinky inspired generations of Tattoo artists across the globe.

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Recent Activity

September 25, 2023

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September 24, 2023

Joe Wiram posted to the memorial.

May 20, 2023

Angel fromthebay posted to the memorial.

6 Entries

September 25, 2023

Joe Wiram

September 24, 2023

My only tattoo Pinky did, to be honest had NO idea of his history until years later.. Quite proud of the fact I have an Original Pinky Tattoo..

Angel fromthebay

May 20, 2023

Pinky gave me my first tattoo. I was 20 yrs old. He told me not to get a name of a girl but I did it anyway. He was right because the same year I went back and had a Cover-up. I should have listened to the wise man. He also tattooed a lot of the LGBT community back in the 80s on West San Carlos Street in San Jose CA. He was always very kind, respectful, and happy. His wife always watched over him making sure all things stayed professional ;)
He was very well known on the Westside of San Jose, CA

Van Phan

June 9, 2020

I still have his tattoo.

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Don RUSSELL

June 23, 2019

GOD BLESS your Soul Pinky ! This is one of two tattoos that you did for me in 1969 at your shop above the Neptune bar while you were in Hongkong ! I am very Proud to wear a part of a LEGEND on my shoulders ! Rest in Peace my Friend !

Don RUSSELL

June 23, 2019

God Bless your Soul Pinky..Rest in Peace my Friend ! You gave me two tattoos one on each shoulder in 1969 while I was in the US NAVY on liberty ! I wear those tattoos with Great Pride knowing I was tattooed by a LEGEND ! 50 years later, I got one of your tattoos, a Crawling Panther by an artist, Phantomcult in SW Washington state, USA and I feel real Pain to wear the ones you did for me in 1969 in Hongkong ! Rest in Peace, You are APPRECIATED !

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