Japanese Tattoo Imagery
Woodblock Print Ota Masamitsu
Have been looking at some traditional wood block prints[1], which are pretty much the foundation of Traditional Japanese tattoo’s and came across this very cool print! More information about it below the image.
The Story Behind the Print
• The hero Danshichi Kurobei, stripped to his loincloth and showing his magnificent tattoos, fights and kills his evil [...]
Common Japanese Images - Sayagata
The Swastika: in Europe, especially in Germany, most people know it as a right-wing symbol of the Nazis, Hitler’s emblem and banner of the “German Empire” below which crime and war were brought to our world. However the symbol had originally a complete different meaning. [reference]
Sayagata is a design pattern of interlocking swastikas, manji 万字 [...]
Common Japanese Images - Peonies (Paeony)
Peonies are another common image in Japanese Tattoo’s, they are often found as more of a focal piece of the tattoo (whereas Sakura or Cherry Blossom Tattoos are mainly used to highlight and accentuate a background) simply because they in real life are a large flower.
They are native to Asia, as well as parts of [...]
Common Japanese Images - Wind, Clouds, Water and Waves
Predominantly used as a background in tattoos, you will see clouds and wind or water and waves used very frequently.
Waves are stylized very simlar to the world famous “The Great Wave, by Hokusa” which shows stormy water crashing over a boat.
The end of the waves are very similar to many many different sized [...]
Common Japanese Images - Tigers
Tigers are synonymous with strength, power and dominance, they are known as the king of the jungle for good reason!
Unfortunately Tigers are not native to Japan, so original drawings and tattoos of tigers are drawn from imagination after looking at tiger skins and Chinese painting imagery. This is why a lot of the traditional Japanese [...]
Common Japanese Images - Koi
Koi Carp are a common tattoo image for Japanese style tattoos, and there are several meanings and ideologies behind getting a koi tattoo.
Swimming upstream with splashing fast moving water and cherry blossom (sakura) can represent perseverance and strength in adversity, something to represent a challenge in your life, something you are trying to overcome.
Swimming downstream [...]
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