more about Japanese Tattoos

Unlike the Chinese people, the Japanese people are currently very big on tattoos, but that was not always the case. In fact, for a brief time near the end of WW II, getting or giving a tattoo in Japan was actually illegal. The end of the war brought an end to that crime as well.

The alphabetic characters that appear in many Japanese tattoos are called Kanji. These characters, alone or in combination with others, can display a whole range of human emotions, thoughts, proverbs and poetry.

In addition to the calligraphic-like Kanji characters, there are many different animal, spiritual and nature-oriented symbols and images that make their way onto people's body parts in the form of a Japanese tattoo.

Traditional Japanese Tattoos

Irezumi, one of the more traditional Japanese tattoo styles depict dragon, koi and other symbols of Japanese culture and lifestyle. These types of Japanese tattoos are becoming increasingly popular with women who are having these sometimes intricate tattoo designs placed on their hips, back, ankles and arms. Even an occasional breast dragon has been spotted in the wild or during a wet T-shirt contest at some spring break bar in Florida or Mexico.

Japanese tattoo

Japanese tattoos can provide a design that fits into just about anybody’s personal style. This is to create, in effect a delicate balancing of power with beauty. Usually you see Japanese tattoos with very familiar elements. You might seen various depictions of dragons, carp and even cherry blossoms. And these elements can be fit together in a many different and complex ways. Another popular themes among Japanese tattoos are depictions of great or epic battles. Take this Japanese tattoo as an example. It’s a beautifully inked design and one that is very complex. It appears to show a great battle or struggle and it may have taken it’s roots directly from ancient Japanese fables. This Japanese tattoo goes to show you just how complex and breath taking these designs can be. I especially like the dragon that is nestled in between the two warriors. But, I can’t seem to figure out what the dragon is trying to do. Is it decided the outcome of the battle or simply waiting to see who is the victor. Perhaps the dragon in this Japa

japanese back tattoo-back tattoo

history of Japanese tattoos

The history of Japanese tattoos goes back to 10,000 BCE. The woman of the Ainu people used tattoos to make themselves look like their goddess, so that demons (who caused diseases) would mistake them for the goddess and get scared. These tribal tattoos started at an early age with a small tattoo on the upper lip. When growing older this small tattoo was expanded.

From 300 BC to 300 AD tattoos were used for spiritual and social purposes. Just like in other tattoo cultures, they were an indicator of ones social status.

From 300 AD on, tattoos were used in Japan to mark criminals. This practice is called bokukei or bokkei. Japan was the last country to stop marking criminals with tattoos (in 1870). People started covering up these marks of shame with more decorative tattoos and that's how the art started.

Japanese Tattoo Art (1870)

Tattooing in Japan reached its zenith in the 1800s, during the Edo period, a time when the power and influence of the common people was very much on the rise. One way in which people chose to use their new-found wealth was to celebrate their art and culture with tattoos. The beauty of the images created was considered a reward for enduring what was, at the time, a long and painful process.

Around 1870 the Japanese government outlawed tattoos in order to make a good impression on the Western world. As a result, Japanese tattoos went underground and became affiliated with the Yakuza, the Japanese mafia.

Tattooing in Japan was legalized again in 1945 by the occupying forces, but never really lost its association with crime. Even today people with tattoos are still banned from businesses like fitness centers, in an attempt to restrict the yakuza from entering their place.

cool geisha tattoo

geisha tattoo are most popular japanese tattoo designs, many girls like this geisha tattoo to put on their body. this geisha tattoo special designs for side tattoos