The Traditional Japanese Tattoo Type

Japanese Tattoo is one of the traditional tattoo type. These Japanese tattoos are a decorative and symbolically rich that has been practiced in Japan for the last 10,000 years. Today they represent a huge portion of the world tattoo industry and are known for their use of bright color, religious imagery and use of Japanese characters in distinct and unique ways.

Japanese tattoo art came into being fairly late. The Chinese who practiced the art as early as 2000 BC, tattooing in Japan reached its zenith in the 1800s. This was 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 choose to use their new-found wealth was to celebrate their art and culture with Japanese tattoos. The beauty of the images created was considered a reward for enduring what was, at the time, a long and painful process.

Amazingly beautiful art of traditional Japanese tattoo designs known as horimono or irezumi at that time. It was, in fact, an offshoot of the distinctive woodblock prints, called ukiyo-e, that were also popular at the time. Japanese tattoo art during the Edo period didn't just use symbols, in many cases an entire painting or woodblock print would be reproduced on someone's body.
This traditional Japanese tattoo was beautiful and very distinctive. During this era the best tattoo artists became famous. In fact some of them turned to tattooing as an adjunct to their artistic careers. Often the same artist who rendered a beautiful landscape design on paper or canvas could also reproduce the same image as tattoo art.

Most popular Japanese tattoo designs include the pictures of samurai warriors. Samurais were the warrior class of Ancient Japan who lived by a strict code that believed in death before dishonor. Many of these ancient Samurais had tattoos all across their backs and many modern customers get tattoos in this same style. Obviously Japanese tattoos of this kind, that cover the entire back and arms, require a large commitment of time and energy, as well as money.

Popular animal subjects in Japanese tattoo designs come from all sorts of categories. The dog, the rat, the rooster, the dragon, the tiger, the goat, the horse, the pig, the ox, the monkey and the snake. The dragon tattoos are extremely popular Japanese tattoo. In addition to these creatures, Chinese dragons, gibbons, spiders, fish birds and foxes are commonly featured Japanese pictures.

Apart from this the most popular Japanese tattoo design is that of Japanese characters, or kanji tattoos. It is the Japanese written language has a very distinctive visual style that incorporates elements of design. These tattoos have become a very popular way to depict a word such as love or strength in the cool aesthetic of written Japanese characters.Here you can find the collection of Japanese tattoo designs and pictures.
Article Source : http://www.tddi.org

The Most Japanese Tattoo Work,

"On my arm, I have a series of cloud tattoos. I got the first three clouds five years ago when I was twenty-seven. In most Japanese tattoo work, the clouds make up the background of the piece, and I found myself interested in using them graphically as a center.

I was born and grew up in Japan, and was always sketching. I am an artist at Temple Tattoo, now. I started on these cloud images when I was about sixteen. Both of my parents were career artists as well.

They met at an art school in Tokyo called Tamabi. My father worked on advertising campaigns where he did illustrations of ‘60’s and ‘70’s movie stars holding pipes (among other projects), as well as selling many abstract pen and ink studies. My mother was an oil painter.

After Tokyo, we moved to a tiny village in the countryside of Japan. I have no idea why my parents made that move. My parents were really kind of hipsters at the time. My mom was the first woman who had smoked cigarettes in that village. It was not great growing up there.

They still live there, but I moved to the US fourteen years ago. For me, the clouds suggest a sort of neutrally and flexibility. They could be anything; they could go anywhere. Like me. I also have cloud tattoos on my legs, and I plan to Never have any other sort of tattoo other than clouds."

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One More Of Japanese Tattoos is Dragon Styles

Truly one of the most majestic and magical of all the mythical beasts the dragon demands the attention it constantly receives in the world of tattoo designs. Dragon are prevalent design and symbolic elements throughout Asia including Chine and especially Japan. This has lead to a great deal of Japanese and Chinese artwork to use this mythical beasts as a central theme in their tattoo design work.

Possibly Design Ideas For Dragon Tattoos

There are really an endless number of possibilities when considering getting a dragon tattoo design. The size, style and location of the dragon can greatly change and enhance the symbolism behind the design. For example a dragon with fiery red eyes wrapped around a large sword might represent strength and power. Yet on the opposite end of the spectrum one depicted flying high in the clouds above a lake or the mountains might be a symbol for peace and freedom. What your dragon will symbolize is really dependent on the design and style you choose to give the dragon.

The History Of The Dragon In Japan

Dragons are one of the most important of all the mythological beats in Japanese culture. The Japanese of course have their own word for the dragon, they call them "Ryu" or "Tatsu". They are typically depicted as very long, skinny and full of scales very similar to a serpent. They also frequently are believed to live around large bodies of water. These creatures are so powerful that they are a god and to be revered. In fact the Japanese believed that their first emporer had descended from a dragon and therefore is partially a god and infallible.

The dragon is not only popular in Japan but throughout all of Asia including China, Korea and numerous other Asian countries. You can find dragon designs throughout the sculpture, architecture and art in Japan even to this day the dragon is still a very popular design.

One can see the long history and importance role that dragons play in the prevalent use of dragons throughout Japan. Today it is very common to see dragon sculptures at alters, temples and other places of worship. Miyajima is probably one of the most famous temples dedicated to the dragon. Miyajima means The Isle Of The Temple and is a popular place for religious pilgrimage, tourists and travelers to come and pray to the dragon god for good luck and good fortune. Another famous spot can be found at the Sonsoji Temple in Asakusa Japan.

At the Sensoji Temple the dragon sculpture is taken out each spring and paraded around the temple ground. Thousands of people from all over Japan come to see and participate in this huge festival. This is done to commemorate a major event. The story is about two brothers who in 628 AD were fishing along that bands of the Sumida river. During their fishing trip they accidentally discovered a beautiful statue of the Goddess of Mercy Kanon. It is said that a gold dragon flew up out of the river and into the sky once the discovery was made as a way to celebrate the wonderful finding.

In both Buddhist and Taoist religious traditions the dragon is seen to also represent the hardships that a spiritual pilgrim will have to face in their journey towards enlightenment.

The dragon can also be foudn throughout Japans great literary works and is a prevalent image. For example there is the famous tale of Yamata-No-Orochi (an eight headed serpent) and Susanoo (the man). Yamata-No-Orochi is an eveil beast that devours young women whole. Until Susanoo is able to trick the serpent. He gets the serpent drunk and then is able to successfully kill him.

Japanese Dragon Tattoo Placement Since dragons are so prevalent through Japanese art, architecture, and literature there are many different even historically famous tattoo designs to choose from when contemplating getting a dragon tattoo. As far as location the most popular place is a very large full back piece. This allows for a lot of canvas space to truly depict the beauty and power of the mystical beast. You are not just locked into a large back piece however, as there are many different dragon tattoo designs to work with and you can get a tattoo anywhere on your body that you want. Typically calves, shoulders and sleeve tattoos also work well for dragon tattoos. The choice is up to you and what you want and what you are looking to express int he design.

By Sara Smith

The Most Wanted Japanese Tattoo Design

Recently there's been a huge rise in the field of tattooing. With popular TV shows like Miami Heat in LA Inc. being broadcast on national TV more and more people are getting tattoos. Of particular fascination to many are Chinese tattoo symbols and designs. The art of tattooing in China actually dates back much farther then its western counterpart. In the West until he didn't come into fashion until very late in the 20th century and mainly in the early 21st century. However, the art of tattooing has a long history in many Asian cultures including China, Japan, and even Thailand just to name a few. What is ironic about this is typically tattoos are used in many of the Asian cultures to mark criminals and other social deviants.

Regardless of the past Chinese tattoo symbols have been widely adopted into the western tattoo lexicon. The mystique and foreignness of an Asian tattoo and the beauty of Chinese and Japanese writing have really sparked a lot of interest among western tattoo enthusiasts. There are many beautiful Chinese designs of themselves well to the art of tattooing. However in much of Asia since tattooing was done in criminals and social deviants many of the designs are very large and often full body pieces especially in Japan. These often are very expensive designs and take many hours in a tattoo shop this is led many western tattoo enthusiasts to opt for Chinese symbols. The beautiful script used in China lends itself well to creating a mysterious and ancient looking tattoo that is not easily discernible by the average Westerner.

The most common Chinese tattoo symbols that are sought after are often representative of important values. For example a simple word that represents themes like love, strength, or power. Another common theme among western tattoo enthusiasts is to seek a translation of something important in the Chinese. For example it's very common for men and women alike to get the names of their children translated into Chinese and the tech to them on their shoulders arms or back.

For those wishing to embellish their tattoo their many smaller themes designs they can easily accompany Chinese Japanese writing a script. For example, men will getting Tiger, lion, or dragon to accompany their design. Women tend to opt for a more delicate designs such as the cherry blossom, yin yang symbol, or a koi fish design.

There are a wide variety of very beautiful tattoo designs throughout Asian cultures. Anyone considering getting a Chinese or Japanese tattoo would be well advised to check their overall design especially the writing with a native speaker of the language. Their many incidents where a person is purchased a flash tattoo at a local tattoo shop thinking that it meant one thing later find out that that's a totally different.

http://www.articlerich.com/Article/Chinese-Tattoos-Symbols-And-Pop

Tiger Japanese Tattoo in Left Hand

Tiger Japanese Tattoo in Left Hand

Japanese Flower and Word Tattoo Design

Japanese Flower and Word Tattoo Design

The Great Japanese Tattoo

this is a famous japanese tattoo