japanese tattoos

Japanese Tattoos

By Magnus Dahlquist

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.

Irezumi, one of the more traditional Japanese tattoo styles depict dragons, 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.

History of the Chinese Tattoo

The recorded history of Japanese tattoos goes back to around 5000 B.C., and it's likely that Japanese people were drawing tattoos on each other even before then since early Japanese artifacts dating back earlier than those days include clay figurines with tattooed faces.

In the early days of the Japanese warrior clans, large and elaborate tattoos symbolized the warrior's ability to withstand pain. The larger and more intricate the Japanese tattoo was, the braver the warrior.

As warriors began to fall out of fashion, and the Japanese culture moved towards the arts, Japanese tattoos shifted to symbolize an appreciation for the finer things in life and were frequently associated with wealth and power.

Today, many Japanese people, as well as people from around the world, admire the beauty of Japanese tattoos and the skills of the artists who create them.

Why Japanese Tattoos

Because you love sushi and you want to show solidarity with your favorite itamae, or sushi chef. Or maybe you're a history buff and you want to join in with King George V, Winston Churchill's mother, King Oscar of Sweden, and Grand Duke Alexis of Russia, who were all known to sport a Japanese tattoo or two.

People also choose to adorn themselves with Japanese tattoos because they are enamored with the classic simplicity of the Japanese Kanji characters which can say so much in so little a space.

Chinese Tattoo Trends

Asian-fusion, Sony, video games, all of those Japanese tourists with three cameras around their neck, and a sushi bar on every corner are all contributors to the Japanese tattoo trend.

You don't have to eat raw fish to enjoy a Japanese tattoo. All you have to do is have a love for the simplicity of the Kanji characters, or an appreciation for the spiritual and natural elements that form the basis of many Japanese tattoos.

skull tattoo

Tribal Skull Tattoo - Tips on Your New Ink!

By Dean Olmstead



So you've decided that you want a tribal skull tattoo. It's easy to see why you want a skull tattoo. The skull as a symbol carries a lot of meaning behind it. And just think about how menacing it will look. But there are some things you need to consider before you get such a permanent piece of artwork on your body.

Let me ask you this. I bet in researching your new tattoo you have already gone to Google images to find pictures. Don't you think other people have already done this? Do you want to end up with the same tattoo as someone else or do you want something unique? I know the reason that you are getting is tattoo is to stand out and be unique. So make sure you do your research before getting your new tattoo.

There are a lot of free galleries online dedicated to tribal tattoos. But I would highly recommend that you use a pay site because of the features that they offer. If a site is free everyone else is going to be using it. Paying for a site gives you access to great tattoo artists as well as a community of dedicated tattoo enthusiasts. You will also get access to an updated list of quality local tattoo artists. You want to find a tattoo artist that has experience and runs a clean shop. You are about to spend a lot of money and time, so do yourself a favor and do plenty of research before you get your new tribal skull tattoo.

tattoos designs

Tattoo Designs - Which to Choose?

By Jonathan S Harris 

Choosing a tattoo for the first time can be a hard thing to do, especially when the tattoo is going to be permanent on your body for the rest of your life. Now which tattoo designs should you choose? First thing you need to consider is WHY you are getting the tattoo, what is your motive behind the tattoo? What do you want to express through the tattoo? This will surely help you cut down your search options so that you can choose the perfect tattoo design that you want.

I have a few in my mind that I don't mind sharing, so here they are:
- If you enjoy outside stuff such as trees, nature in general, animals, and other things, you can use this as a motivation to get the tattoo in this category.
- Another thing you can think about is if you love art. What kind of artist comes to your mind, what kind of art design comes to your mind and stuff along those areas.
- There are a lot of people out there that use famous people such as poets, music artists and what not.
- These days, I myself have seen many people use Graffiti type of tattoo's on their body all the time.
- Many people these days are also looking at Tribal or Celtic types of tattoo's to show off on their body.
- Some of the other tattoo designs include cultural tattoos, historical tattoos, etc.
- You know what would be a good idea, getting Abstract Tattoo's on your body. I have seen people use this type as well.
- A unique way to express is writing quotes in different languages on your body as well.
- Maybe you can try tattoo mixing? Perhaps mix several different tattoos into some type of tattoo?

You know what would make you really stand out is if you created your OWN type of tattoo. Sure, you can go to a Tattoo parlor and get a random tattoo through a design book, but does it really make sense to be unoriginal? You can create your own types of tattoo(s) if you want. Let me share a few ideas with you just to give you a head start.

- Neck to Leg, Full out Fire Dragon on back or front of body
- Crying baby from your neck to your legs on your back or front

In all my years of tattoo designing and studying, I have never seen those kinds of tattoos done to anyone before, so this may be a good chance for you to snag a pretty good design or designs.
Now you maybe thinking, why create my own tattoos when I can just get a already created one? As I've said above, it's better to be unique than to carry an overused tattoo. You can add your OWN personal touch to your tattoo. Add as much detail you want to your tattoo, as much as you want. Just remember than the bigger in details your tattoo is, the more expensive your tattoo may get, depending on which tattoo parlor you go to, just keep that in mind.

There is one type of tattoo that interests me the most out of everything and that is Full Sleeve Tattoo Designs. Full sleeve tattoo design is the popularity tattoo designs that not are only carried by a regular person, but famous people such as celebrities, soccer players, football players, basketball players and other sports people carry, as well as many other types of famous people.

One of the main reasons as to why people really do this type of tattooing is because they want to unravel a story that they are trying to give off. For example, I have seen a famous soccer player that carries a full arm tattoo and his tattoo signifies what he loves, which is soccer and the love for his country. People in this type of tattooing always express personal touches and personal expressions.
You are going to be stuck with a tattoo for a LONG, LONG time, so you might as well choose a tattoo worth your while. Start your tattoo design off small, meaning start your tattoo design small and then work your way up from there. Start off with a small tattoo and then work your way from there. Carefully choose every portion of your tattoo remembering that you WILL be stuck with this tattoo for a very long time. You may want to put several small tattoos together to make a larger tattoo or you could put a few large tattoos together to make a rather large, but unique tattoo to show off.

1. Gather up a design idea for your tattoo (either from a design book or your own design)
2. Finalize on a design that will perfectly suit you and the type of person you are.
3. Find a tattoo artist
a. Every city has tattoo designs, just look on the Internet if you have trouble.
4. Test your tattoo design
5. Have your tattoo design done on your body.

skull tattoos

Skull Tattoo Designs - Frightening Yet Popular

By John J. Phillips

Skull tattoos have a various symbolic interpretations. It is a universal symbol that can be adapted to literally any meaning, from religious to political to simply a creative design with aesthetic merit.

Skull tattoo designs come in all shapes and sizes and some are unexpectedly beautiful. Another reason for its popularity is that its dramatic lines lend themselves well to art, and it includes tattoo art.

CUSTOM SKULL DESIGN have become so popular that the art behind them has evolved notably. For women, a popular skull design is a pink skull with a bow pierced on top.
GRIM REAPER DESIGN have been used a lot in medieval art to remind us that life is infinite and that there is life after death. It does not affiliate with Satan, as some people believe he is the symbol for death.

SUGAR SKULL DESIGN- This is often used to honor someone dear who died. The tattoo can be a symbol of mourning as well as celebration of life. This tattoo is popular with women because of the skull and color blending.

BULL AND DEAR SKULL DESIGN- There is a number of animals' skull that also makes interesting tattoo designs. Bull skull tattoos represent their own style and the area that they love. The tattoo features the skull and prominently displayed horns, sometimes combined with a feather. Deer skull tattoos are popular to those who enjoy hunting; this can be antlers, though the antlers are the best way to display the type of animal skull.

SKULL AND CROSSBONES DESIGN - One of the best known skull design. On a tattoo, the skulls and crossbones are on its original form, with the image on a black flag. The said design is also recognized worldwide as a symbol for poison.

Men chose this design because they correlate it with masculinity. This design represents change, particularly great change in life because skulls are associated with death, a reminder that death happens to everyone.

There are some common associations with these tattoos, one must think about those meaning before you get your tattoo. Do not get it because it represents change you must think that many people are going to read it, as you are dangerous. That however should not stop you from getting a design like skull tattoo. Tattoos are very personal experience, choice, and one that is also private.