4. Many different pieces can be done on the chest or side and these spots are great for Japanese body art. They depict water, often in blue and white, although some of these tattoos are inked in black and gray. Some of these include the important and aforementioned wave tattoos. Tattoodo Staff Writer and tattoo enthusiast. Japanese Tattoo Meanings The Traditional Japanese Tattoos known as “Irezumi” are the decoration of the body with mythical beasts, flowers, leafs, and other images from stories, myths and tales. These can include everything from various flowers to the koi fish, an animal of the water that is found often in Japanese tattooing. Read our. There is a lot more movement with this tattoo and a darker blue. As an artist as well, I also deeply appreciate the artistry of this style. It may seem obvious, but these tattoos are most recognizable by the fact that they almost always feature a wave. 3. jQuery('input[type="file"]').change(function(e){ In the print, Hokusai conceived the wave and the distant Mount Fuji in terms of geometric language. This is considered to be a personal tattoo design since many observers will not recognize this wave tattoo meaning initially. The image of water in Japanese traditional tattoos is often combined with Koi, Dragons, or Oni.
Hokusai (2004), a book written by the Italian professor of East Asian Art, Gian Carlo Calza, offers a general introduction to Hokusai’s works, looking at a chronologically arranged overview of his life and career. The snake can also embody regeneration, healing, and medicine as it was revered in Japanese culture in association with medicinal rites and remedies. Typical symbols include dragons, tigers, koi, water, cherry blossoms, phoenix, snakes, Fu dogs, Oni masks and more. Another place on the body that Japanese wave tattoos fit well is on the upper arm. The curator at the Bibliothèque Nationale de France, Jocelyn Bouquillard, outlined Hokusai’s development of landscape prints, technical skills and creating processes in Hokusai’s Mount Fuji: The Complete Views in Colour. While Oni are known for being evil, some Oni are good and are seen as protectors. Many Japanese tattoos feature water. Japanese leg tattoos are not difficult to spot as they often standout from other types of leg pieces on account of their signature symbols. Japanese tattoos include many elements and symbols and each has a different meaning. Traditionally, the Japanese skull tattoo represents change, of which death is the greatest change man can experience. The impetus for the development of the art was the progression of the art of woodblock prints. There are many different types of leg tattoos. Irezumi (入れ墨, lit. Japanese wave tattoos can be adapted to many body parts. Eventually the practice faded and tattoos once again became common with regular people. The energetic and imposing picture The Great Wave (Kanagawa Oki Nami Ura) is the best-known work by Japanese artist Hokusai Katsushika (1760-1849), one of the greatest Japanese woodblock printmakers, painters and book illustrators.

Japanese Tattoos Meaning.
In addition to symbolizing strength and life, water tattoos convey the belief that life, like water, ebbs and flows.

Possibly one of the coolest places where Japanese wave tattoos are inked, however, is on the back. Everything is much bigger. Koi who made it past the Dragons Gate were said to be rewarded by turning into dragons. Japanese wave back tattoos serve as a larger canvas of artwork.

Some of these include the important and aforementioned wave tattoos. jQuery('.imgupdated .text').html('');

Regardless of its origin, phoenix tattoos symbolize rebirth and triumph, as well a renewal and rebuilding of one’s self. Waves are not the only elements involved in a Japanese wave sleeve,  however. The history of Japanese yakuza tattoo culture or more popularly known as Irezumi is full of sacred art that made its impact on the whole world. So which Japanese tattoo design you liked the most? Over time, tattoos in Japanese culture developed as a form of punishment similar to what was seen in Rome where it was common practice to tattoo prisoners of war, criminals, and slaves as a means of making their status in society instantly recognizable. Tattoos were no more considered as tab00 punishments. Despite this, however, they in no way appear lacking. Snake tattoos are attributed to protection from illness, disaster, and bad fortune. In it, he depicts a large wave bearing down on three ships trying desperately to survive the tsunami, which illustrates the resilience of the human spirit against all forces of adversity. Blackout tattoos are an especially unique type of Japanese wave tattoos as they use black as the primary backdrop of the piece and essentially work out of it. The wave tattoo can also serve as a symbol of a passion.