Tattooing in Japan is known as irezumi or bunshin and was initially frowned upon, becoming more widespread only during the 1900s. Japanese tattoos carry meaningful symbols, such as the dragon for power and perseverance or Samurai armor for strength.
Geisha Girl
Tattoos depicting a geisha are symbols of grace and beauty. This one shows one among natural elements such as trees and waves. Furthermore, a kitsune mask is on display as a representation of Godly Fox, which can be good or evil. Moreover, flowers and swords adorn her to show courage and strength. This Geisha Tattoo Design is both beautiful and elegant. Using just one color makes this stunning tattoo design stand out while representing their elegance and sophistication as part of Japanese culture. It is a great way to show your love of Japanese culture and illustrate their training process for entertainment purposes.
Cherry Blossoms
Cherry blossom trees have long been seen as symbols of hope and renewal, adorning the National Mall and Potomac Park in Washington D.C. each spring during the National Cherry Blossom Festival. Sakura (Japanese for cherry blossoms) also play an integral part in Japanese culture and identity as they embody the principles of wabi-sabi philosophy and Shinto ideals of impermanence, hopefulness, and renewal.
Koi Fish
Koi fish tattoos symbolize courage, strength, and perseverance. According to legend, swimming upstream against the current of a river and reaching a waterfall will turn you into a dragon – this symbolizes overcoming obstacles and accomplishing your goals, while white symbolizes purity and truth.
Warrior Armor
Samurai armor Tattoos are a fantastic symbol of power and discipline embodied by their Japanese predecessors, with vibrant colors perfectly capturing what the samurai were known for. These chest tattoos, known as hikae, come in two varieties. A deep hike covers the shoulders while shallow ones stop just above the elbow like a shirt cuff rolled up. Red represents good fortune, while blue stands for faithfulness and dedication. Oni, or demons with horned heads, symbolize life, death, and change, often used as protection against evil and misfortune. The warrior armor featured here is inspired by an incredible Bronze Age specimen discovered near Dendra in Greece.
Turtle
Under Japanese dictatorship, Tattoos were prohibited on areas usually concealed by clothing; however, recent years have seen this rule relax slightly, and many of the traditional irezumi designs such as dragons, oni, and koi are now appearing on people’s hands as irezumi tattoos. The Koi symbolizes willpower, strength, and bravery. According to legend, it’s the only fish capable of swimming upstream; once it reaches “Dragon’s Gate,” Gods transform it into a golden dragon, symbolizing perseverance – perfect for reminding those facing difficult odds to keep trying despite difficulties.
Dragon
Japanese tattoos, commonly called irezumi, are uniquely Japanese and feature elements of folklore and culture. Irezumi may serve as spiritual symbols or reflect social status. In Japan, dragons represent strength and ferocity, while in Western culture, they’re seen as symbols of power; however, in Japan, they represent beneficent forces who use their influence for good – also associated with wisdom. Japanese characters often relate to the ocean as a metaphor for life, with waves acting as torrential forces and soothing teachers teaching us how to accept life’s inevitable chaos. Koi fish symbolize perseverance as they swim upstream against currents.
Tiger
Tattooing a tiger symbolizes strength, courage, vitality, protection from evil spirits and bad luck. Samurai Tattoos are symbols of courage, honor, and commitment – representing our willingness to fight for what is right. Peony flowers are widely recognized for their beauty and symbolic meaning of wealth. Additionally, these blooms serve as a reminder that hard work does pay off in the end. Tattoos on the back or upper body give artists plenty of room to work their magic, while sleeves can also feature them. Perfect for showing your dedication to Japanese culture while remaining hidden behind clothing or quickly rolling up, they make great display pieces!
