Japanese Tattoos: Meanings, Shapes, and Motifs

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With easy-to-follow instructions and illustrations, you’ll be able to grasp the basic concepts and start drawing amazing tattoos in no time!

The beginning of the book covers the basics of drawing tattoos, such as linework and shading. Once you have a good understanding of these techniques, you can move on to more complex designs. Rodrigo Melo’s book on some of the coolest and most amazing traditional Japanese tattoos is here to introduce you to a few more that are sure to blow your mind away once you see the images inside. Techniques and Designs

This time in Japan (1868-1912) is known as the Meiji era because it lines up with the reign of Emperor Meiji. A man with a sujibori depicting a rising koi fish Bokukei, bokkei ( 墨刑) Punishment by tattooing Donburi Sōshinbori ( どんぶり 総身彫り) A full body tattoo without the open section typically left down the centre of the chest Gobu ( 五分) A sleeve tattoo that stops above the elbow Hanebori ( 羽彫り, "to carve with a feather") A hand-tattooing technique employing a feathering motion Hanzubon Tattooed 'shorts'; inner thigh filled completely with tattoo work Hikae Chest panel tattoo, covering both pectoral muscles Horimono ( 彫り物, 彫物, "carving, engraving") Another term for traditional Japanese tattoos Horishi ( 彫り師, 彫物師) A tattoo artist Irebokuro ( 入れ黒子) From ire or ireru, meaning "to insert", and bokuro or hokuro, a beauty spot Irezumi ( 入れ墨, 入墨, 刺青, 文身, 黥) A tattoo (noun) or to tattoo someone (verb) Kakushibori ( 隠し彫り, "hidden carving") Tattooing near the armpits, the inside of the thighs and other "hidden" body areas. Also refers to the tattooing of hidden words, for example among the petals of flowers. Katabori An untattooed, triangle-shaped space left clear in the armpit Kebori ( 毛彫り) The tattooing of fine lines or of hair on tattooed figures Koban gata An untattooed, round-edged space left clear in the armpit Munewari ( 胸割り) A chest tattoo with an open space left down the middle Munewari Sōshinbori ( 胸割り総身彫り) A full body tattoo with an open space left down the middle of the chest Nagasode ( 長袖) Arm tattoo, to the wrist Shakki The sound of irezumi needles puncturing skin Shichibu ( 七分) A three-quarter length sleeve tattoo, to the mid forearm Sujibori ( 筋彫り) The outline of a tattoo or the process of outlining a tattoo Sumi ( 墨) The ink used to tattoo, traditionally mixed by the apprentice Taubushi A fully-tattooed armpit Tebori ( 手彫り, "to carve by hand") The technique of tattooing by hand [11] Tsuki-bori ( 突き彫り) A hand-tattooing technique employing a thrusting motion Wabori ( 和彫り) A catch-all term for traditional Japanese tattooing practices Yōbori ( 洋彫り) Yō (Western) tattooing. The slang term for tattooing done with the machine. Common motifs [ edit ] There are some onsen where tattoos are permitted, so plan your day around those locations and you’re golden. He got his first Irezumi on his foot at the age of 15 and was asked by a friend if he would do a design on him.

Tattoos were frowned upon in professional settings and officially outlawed in 1871 as more foreigners began to arrive in Japan. Tattoo artists weren’t scrutinized using this law, which was fairly obscure until recently. Tattoo Artist Fines Even during this time, it is believed people were using rudimentary tools to create tattoo designs.The first comprehensive history of women and tattoos. A must-have for the studio of any female tattooist. {Although fascinating for everyone}. The Medical Practitioners Act allows tattoo artists in Japan to be fined up to 1 million yen, or put away for 3 years. Of course, people have been getting tattoos long before tattoo machines (and even electricity!) were used. The imagery used in Japanese tattoos is distinct, featuring a blend of cultural significance and detailed line work. Sandi Fellman is a brilliant photographer who has managed to bring tattoo lovers and readers some knowledge and insight into the Japanese art of Irezumi, the legendary tattoo art style between Japanese gangsters.

Irezumi ( 入れ墨, lit. 'inserting ink') (also spelled 入墨 or sometimes 刺青) is the Japanese word for tattoo, and is used in English to refer to a distinctive style of Japanese tattooing, though it is also used as a blanket term to describe a number of tattoo styles originating in Japan, including tattooing traditions from both the Ainu people and the Ryukyuan Kingdom. Having Yakuza tattoos can’t fool someone into thinking you’re part of the Yakuza, and it would be silly to assume that’s why they’re frowned upon. Either tattoo technique can be a safe, beautiful way to show your love of traditional Japanese tattoos; just do your research and find a great artist first! Famous Irezumi Artists This section does not cite any sources. Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. ( October 2021) ( Learn how and when to remove this template message) Though many people had tattoos for spiritual or protective reasons, the desire to present a professional face to visiting Westerners was great.

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Some Japanese artists still use Tebori techniques in their tattooing, and it has become a requested method in recent years. If you’re less into reading and more into experiencing, then perhaps a Japanese monster movie night is the perfect thing. There are so many films out there but our favorites happen to be Kwaidan, Hausu, Kuroneko, Spirited Away, and A Letter to Momo.