6/01/2011

Art Of Japanese Tattoo Designs

By Johnny Tran


Japanese tattoo designs have been used for many years in Japan and where first made use of by people known as the Ainu who lived somewhere around 5000BC. The art of tattooing was especially well-liked in the Edo period when firemen, prostitutes and laborers used them. The designs of the Japanese came from old wood-cuts and landscape and watercolor art.

This amazing version of Japanese history and culture in tattoo's is detailed and precise and can be pricey. The word horimono (meaning "carving") refers to traditional tattoo design, it can also be referred to as irezumi (meaning "insert ink") and was only legalized by government in the mid 20th century.

Artists use brightly coloured designs of images which reflect Japanese culture and belief. The symbols include certain animals for example the koi or carp who represent perseverance, ancient drawings of dragons, symbolic flowers and demons. The tattoos are normally large and clear with intense colour and are mainly used on the arm, shoulder or back where the tattoo may be hidden by clothing and is normally not visible.

In old times one of the methods to punish criminals was to tattoo them so that they would be branded and shamed, this was called bokukei or bokkei and came to and end in 1870 by the Japanese Emperor's new Meiji government. Japanese mafia or yakuza used tattoo's as well and these factors have left a bad connotation for most Japanese people today. Among the youth the designs are considered fashionable.

There are different dragon sketches to pick from which represent the wood element and male forces, these are listed as west and Asian dragons as the western culture has had an influence on designs. Westerners like the idea of samurai's or warriors and enjoy the exotic Asian culture and history.

Kanji is very popular form of calligraphy which refers to characters that translate into various things such as love, life or the name of somebody such as "Joy". The Phoenix is a popular design of a bird that symbolizes justice and fidelity she represents the element of fire and female forces. Clouds, waves and water are often in the background.

Japanese tattoo designs show the love and respect for life and nature that is inherent in Japanese culture. Japan frequently have events and expo's specifically aimed at presenting the art of tattooing to the public who are then able to enjoy and utilize the designs which are filled with rich fantasy.




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