Japanese tattoo has made a difference in society today. It may be a taboo in Japan, but Japanese Tattoo turned out to be a positive influence on all the parts of the world. Some say that it is a beautiful work of art. Most of the western ink tattoo artists upgraded the Japanese tattoo and made it so creatively that it became a passion of everyone who is into it! They even considered this as a masterpiece.
Japanese Tattoos Meaning
According to the Wikipedia, the traditional Japanese Tattoo is called Irezumi which signifies the inserting of ink to the skin where it is the Japanese traditional way of tattooing. The Nara ink (special ink used in Japanese Tattooing)used is then applied to prick the area of the skin with a wooden handle with a metal needle. The process of having this kind of tattoo will take a long time. The needle is dipped in active charcoal(Nara ink) and pricked to the skin to form the art. The person who wants to have this kind of tattooing will experience pain! While it is time-consuming, the process will not harm the soft tissues in your skin unlike the modern way of tattooing.
131 Best Japanese Tattoos
There are lots of Japanese tattoos that one can consider a masterpiece! But here are the few ones that are one of the top choices. They have this distinct look, making them the most recognizable tattoos around the world. The art does have originality, authenticity, and dignity. Of course, it is one of the appealing work of art too!
1. Japanese Tattoo Sleeve
2. Japanese Half Sleeve Tattoo
3. Japanese Tattoo Forearm
4. Japanese Tattoo Hand
5. Traditional Geisha Tattoo
This Geisha tattoo is one of the popular images of Japanese culture. Clothed in silk maroon robe with yellow borders. The geisha is standing in a blue lotus flower in the dark and cloudy night with the surprised expression in the face.
6. Japanese Tattoo Meanings
7. Cherry Blossom Tattoo
8. Koi Fish Tattoo
Koi fish tattoo designs a cultural symbol for overcoming adversity because with its ability to climb waterfalls that have strong currents it is said that it persevered and succeeded. With this fish with a bright orange color and yellowish touch is such a beauty. Moving its way up splashing in the light blue water and surrounded by a lotus flower that dignifies purity and divine beauty.
9. Japanese Characters Tattoo
10. Small Japanese Wave Tattoo
11.Japanese Dragon Tattoo
12. Japanese Flower Tattoo
13. Japanese Geisha Tattoo
14. Ideal Japanese Tattoo
15. Japanese Tiger Tattoo
16. Japanese Samurai Tattoo
The man who holds his samurai so fiercely.; A masterpiece that one can die for. With falling red rose petals that indicates that death might be in his way but still motivated to fight. Made with bold black ink and rich red, no question this has captured tattoo lovers.
17. Japanese Kanji Tattoo
18. Japanese Yakuza Tattoo
19. Japanese Oni Tattoo
Extremely common in Japanese Tattoo, this unique and terrifying image that resembles the image of the devil himself in human form. This demon is extremely powerful. This pertains to the spirit world which demons care out their roles of punishing the unjust and evil, as well as spreading sickness.
20. Japanese Crane Tattoo
21. Japanese Snake Tattoo
22. Japanese Lotus Tattoo
23. Japanese Wave Tattoo
24. Japanese Back Tattoo
25. Japanese Mask Tattoo
26. Japanese Leg Tattoo
27. Japanese Foo Dog Tattoo
28. Japanese Phoenix Tattoo
29. Japanese Thigh Tattoo
30. Japanese Demon Tattoo
31. Black Japanese Cloud Tattoo
32. Japanese Chest Tattoo
33. Japanese Sun Tattoo
34. Japanese Cat Tattoo
35. Japanese Warrior Tattoo
36. Modern Japanese Tattoo
37. Japanese Hannya with Cherry Blossoms Tattoo
38. Japanese Kitsune Tattoo
39. Japanese Buddha Tattoo
40. Japanese Peony Tattoo
41. Japanese Skull Tattoo
42. Japanese Daruma Tattoo
43. Japanese Chrysanthemum Tattoo
44. Japanese Kokeshi Tattoo
45. Japanese Temple Tattoo
46. Japanese Fan Tattoo
47. Japanese Cover up Tattoo
48. Japanese Monkey King Tattoo
49. Japanese Minimal Gingko Leaf Tattoo
50. Japanese Maple Leaf Tattoo
51. Japanese Kanji Meaning Tattoo
52. Japanese Beautiful Neck Tattoo
53. Japanese Titanic Kislitsyn Tattoo
54. Japanese Best Koi Fish Tattoo
55. Japanese Enso Meaning Tattoo
56. Japanese Yin Yang Tattoo
57. Japanese Genko Tattoo
58. Japanese Yakuza Dragon Tattoo
59. Japanese Watanabe No Tsuna Tattoo
60. Japanese Calligraphy Rooster Tattoo
61. Japanese Black and Grey Tattoo
62. Japanese Panther Tattoo
63. Japanese Raijin Tattoo
64. Japanese Aquarius Tattoo
65. Japanese Octopus Tattoo
66. Japanese Blue Lantern Tattoo
67. Japanese Sakura Tattoo
68. Best Japanese Tattoo
69. Japanese Finger Crossed Tattoo
70. Japanese Mountain Tattoo
71. Art and Beauty Japanese Tattoo
72. Japanese Dragon Eye Tattoo
73. Japanese Irezumi Tattoos
74. Japanese Tebori Tattoo
75. Japanese Sculpture Tattoo
76. Japanese Combine Tattoo
77. Japanese Namakubi Tattoo
78. Japanese Quince Flowers Tattoo
79. Japanese Inspiration Tattoo
80. Japanese Catfish Tattoo
81. Japanese Rat Tattoo
82. Japanese Geisha Bunny Tattoo
83. Japanese Frog Tattoo
84. Japanese Tengu Tattoo
85. Japanese Hyottoko Tattoo
86. Japanese Maneki Neko Tattoo
87. Japanese Red Panda Tattoo
88. Japanese Kozuchi Tattoo
89. Japanese Fujin and Raijin Tattoo
90. Japanese Okame Tattoo
91. Japanese Kitsune Mask Tattoo
92. Japanese God Tattoo
93. Japanese Ghost in the Shell Geisha Tattoo
94. Japanese Kimono Tattoo
Japanese Tattoos History
Japans tattooing can be traced thousands of decades before. There were clay figurines seen with a cord-marked pattern which confirmed that tattooing originated in Japan 10,000B.C. Tattooing during those time was intended for a spiritual and for decorative purposes. Noted that the Ainu people who are one of the indigenous people living in Hokkaido in Japan were the ones seen to have practiced tattooing on themselves. Back to history, they suffered under Japan’s reign over them. They were then considered criminals over time. Life was so hard for the Ainus people! Until in the Kofun Period (300-600 AD), the negative connotations for tattoos began. Criminals have this as a sort of punishment. It was just in the Edo Period( 1600-1868 AD) tattooing was changed into decorative intentions and has flourished until now. It is like a worldwide phenomenon that captured the western culture!
How Japanese Tattoo Influences the Modern Times?
In a research made by Pew Research Center, it shows that 38% of the young people ages 18-29 have at least one tattoo. By that information, teenagers nowadays are really into this. Tattooing has evolved into a fashion as well as an inner expression and beliefs of one’s self nowadays. Some tattoo enthusiasts have inked themselves with Japanese tattoos due to the beauty and art in it.
Japanese tattoo motifs are so popular and in-demand that it has a phenomenal influence worldwide. It dominated both East and West when it comes to a contemporary tattoo. A lot wanted to get inked with the Japanese tattoo designs because of its cultural and spiritual meaning, as well as exploring the traditional and modern techniques that Japanese artists have used over the centuries. Body art with a masterpiece indeed!
How to take good care of your Japanese Tattoo
It is a must that you have to take good care of your Japanese Tattoo. Maintaining your good skin will help preserve the color of your tattoo and make it last. Here are some helpful tips for you!
Keep it out from the heat of the sun
As much as possible, do not expose your tattoo under the heat of the sun. It will not fade immediately; but it gradually will if not taken cared of, which will add another cost. People often forget that the sun got harmful effects on their tattoo. Wearing protective clothes, putting high-quality sunscreen product during exposure to sun or staying in the shaded area is helpful.
A mild soap is good for the tattooed skin
Make sure that you will use a mild soap for this. Better use baby soaps or a specially formulated tattoo cleanser to clean the area. The skin will not be irritated and will not be breaking. It will keep a moisturized skin that will also preserve the rich color of the tattoo.
Moisturizer is a must
Keep moisturized! Dry skin will cause breakouts. Your tattoo will be ruined as it will make your skin sag. There are a lot of moisturizers in the market that you can use. Better if you can have a moisturizer with an SPF too! The higher the SPF, the better the protection from the sun you can have. Keeping your skin moisturized will preserve the beautiful tattoo you have!
Avoid taking steam baths.
Steam will make your skin pores to open, and this is a threat to your tattoo. It will gradually discolor the ink in your skin. You cannot see the effect immediately; but if you often steam yourself when taking a bath, your tattoo will gradually fade away.
What to consider before getting a Japanese tattoo
Take your time on deciding to have it on your body as a permanent Tattoo and be amazed on the art it brings, a kind of tattoo that is a combination of light and bold colors that will look good and eye-popping designs that will look good on you! With its sacred meaning, it will give you security wherever and whenever you wanted to go. But, you need to be of legal age to have one as your skin needs to go through needles! With this wonderful work made by trusted tattoo artists, you can have it within minutes or an hour or two and see the beauty of art in you! More things to consider below!
Make sure you are at the right age.
Age really matters. Your skin is going to experience the needles. This is the reason why you need to be at the proper age. Not yet of legal age? Need to consult your mom first to get your parents consent.
You should be healthy.
You should not have even a slight fever or colds. During your tattoo session, make sure to bring with you something that will divert your attention to. This will be in preparation to strenuous tattoo session that you will be getting. There are health problems that are not allowed to have a tattoo. It is a necessity that you are healthy so that when the needles go through your skin, everything is well and no complications.
Make sure you made a final, good and firm decision.
Make sure that what you have decided will be your final decision. Remember that you are going to have this in a lifetime. So make decisions clearly. Do not be double-minded. You have to think about this all over again.
Decide on what is the design you wanted.
It would be easier for you if you can choose the design as early as possible. Remember that there are no changes to reconsider especially when the tattooing has started already. Choose the design and think of that tattoo (its relevance the meaning to you). For first-timers, it would be better if you can have a small one tattooed on your wrist so that you will get to experience if how can you endure the pain.
Final Thoughts…
Japanese Tattoo has culturally influenced the world and has become a trend. This tattoo art has paved its way up to the other continents of the world and is greatly adored! Almost all of the tattoo enthusiasts liked to have the Japanese tattoo design as it is so unique and there are stories behind these designs. Truly, an art that is in you!
Hello! My name is Emily and I obsessed with piercings (and tattoos) since I was a little girl of 6 years old. I was fortunate enough to make my passion my work after meeting my amazing husband Jeffrey who owned his own tattoo shop. I just recently finished my internships at some of America’s most famous piercing shops and a dream to start something together was born. After falling in love with each other (and each other’s piercings and tattoos) we decided to expand his tattoo shop and I got to manage my own piercing shop in the same space! I’ve never been so happy being able to share my love for piercings through my shop and this blog I started back in 2013. We love to share models and inspiration, so feel free to email me your suggestions, pictures or if you just want to say hi!