Today, traditional Japanese motifs, designs, and stylistic choices remain popular sources of inspiration for many contemporary tattoo artists. Often, many artists prefer to combine old motifs with new ones, but regardless of these changes, Japanese tattoos have one common feature—the roots of “irezumi” (traditional Japanese tattoos).
The development of Japanese tattoo art can be divided into centuries. The earliest sign of the phenomenon of decorating skin with designs can be seen on the tattooed faces of clay figurines. In the 7th century, tattoos were used as a form of punishment for prisoners, courtesans, and criminals. This practice eventually lasted for more than 1000 years.
A Japanese tattoo artist works on the shoulder of a Yakuza gang member. Image by © Horace Bristol
However, by the 18th century, Japanese traditional tattoos underwent another transformation. Due to their colorful and pictorial style, they became popular among lower social status groups, such as laborers, peasants, and even gangs. Given its association with the lower class and its long and questionable history, irezumi was eventually outlawed in Japan, although artists could still legally tattoo foreigners.
In the 19th century, when artists began tattooing foreign sailors, the art of Japanese tattooing became known worldwide. Despite being illegal for Japanese residents, Japanese tattooing gained global recognition beyond its borders.
Japan is a country of vivid imagery and deep meanings. There are many traditions here related to Shintoism, the traditional religion based on the belief in spirits and the worship of nature and its forces. Many spirits take the form of animals—both real and mythical.Japanese tattoos are so multifaceted that they include dozens, if not hundreds, of different themes featuring various creatures. Here, we will discuss the most popular Japanese tattoos and their meanings.
The first image that comes to mind for most people when it comes to Japanese tattoos is the dragon. This mystical creature symbolizes power, justice, the ability to keep secrets, wisdom, and a person’s decisiveness. Those who wear such designs are not afraid to go beyond conventional boundaries and strive to acquire new knowledge.
Despite their small size, these fish symbolize masculine strength, family happiness, and resilience for the Japanese. The koi carp is believed to bring luck to its owner. The larger the design, the stronger the positive impact on the person’s life. A pair of fish represents harmony in a relationship between a man and a woman. If the koi carp is depicted swimming in a turbulent water flow, it means the wearer is ready to overcome obstacles and can withstand them. A calm water setting signifies achieved success and pride.
A mythical monster with the eyes of a rhinoceros, the paws of a tiger, and the trunk of an elephant. Despite its frightening appearance, this creature protects people from nightmares and illnesses.
Characters from the epic tales hold a special place in Japanese tattoo style. These are demons—they are characters from traditional Japanese legends. Monsters with colorful skin. Japanese believe that a wicked person can transform into one of these demons. In fact, many of them were once human. Tattoos featuring demons carry a protective meaning, believed to protect good people from negativity:
Sometimes depicted with a sword piercing it, this design is crafted as a sign of respect towards an enemy, symbolizing courage, readiness to accept fate, and serves as a reminder of the inevitability of punishment for unjust actions.
Traditional Japanese tattoos are distinguished by their vibrant hues, each carrying a unique significance in ancient culture:
The biggest concern with colored tattoos is their susceptibility to fading over time. Colors fade much faster compared to black ink and are absorbed into the skin more quickly. Therefore, colored tattoos need periodic touch-ups to maintain their original appearance. If you decide to remove or alter a colored tattoo, be prepared for a lengthy and challenging process, sometimes even without an alternative solution.
In the Land of the Rising Sun, the placement of a tattoo on the body is considered very important for its significance. Japanese people consider the following locations auspicious for tattoos:
Japanese tattoos usually require a large canvas. They are most commonly seen as full sleeves on arms, as well as on legs, chests, and abdomens. The most expansive images are found on the back, often depicting scenes from Japanese epics.Japanese tattoos are an ideal choice to conceal skin imperfections. They are often chosen as cover-ups for scars because colorful, vivid, and large designs effortlessly camouflage even complex and numerous scars, stretch marks, or burns.
There is no specific law prohibiting tattoos in Japan. However, Japanese society generally views this form of body adornment negatively. It’s not just because tattoos are an integral part of the yakuza and criminal world. In my view, Japanese people are intolerant of irezumi because they see it as a way to demonstrate power and superiority over other members of society. The punishment, one might say, is social condemnation and temporary exile. However, these “horrors” do not deter true connoisseurs of beautiful Japanese tattoos. They adorn their bodies with expensive designs, cover them with plasters or towels in onsen baths where possible, or seek out baths where such prohibitions do not exist.
There is currently much debate and dispute over who has the right to get a Japanese tattoo. Some believe that getting them outside of Japanese culture is disrespectful. The argument is that these symbols are rich in history and mean much more to people who have grown up with this history. Getting a tattoo simply because it “looks cool” is considered frivolous and disrespectful to those who value their culture.
Foxylab New York Magazine gathered talented and vibrant tattoo artists who create not only tattoos inspired by Japanese themes but also work in their stylizations, commonly known as oriental tattoos.
Not just a master of Japanese tattoos, but a true global star hailing from Japan. Due to the taboo around tattoos in his homeland, Gakkin prefers to live and work in Amsterdam. His style is bright and recognizable, drawing heavily from ornamental and blackwork influences, yet his Japanese touch is unmistakable in his work.
This master tattoos exclusively in Japan but not entirely in the traditional style. His work features beautiful black patterns, vibrant traditional motifs, dotwork, and bold geometric shapes.
Since childhood, this artist was captivated by the “suits” of the Yakuza, and now at 75, he is one of the most popular and sought-after masters of traditional Japanese tattoos worldwide, truly a legend.
Based in Japan, Shige breathes new life into Japanese tattoos, often focusing on a central image and building compositions around it. Here you’ll appreciate impressive scales, elements of realism, and a beautiful blend of techniques and styles.
In the vibrant works of this American master of Japanese descent, you feel the influence of Western culture. Rich in volumes and a diverse palette, it’s a fresh perspective on Japanese tattooing.
If you haven’t decided to get a Japanese tattoo yet but you love Japanese culture, our brand Foxylab New York offers you several models from the Blue Method collection, created in collaboration with artist NASTYA KFKS.
