The inhabitants of the Japanese islands were no different from other peoples. Therefore, the art of tattooing has also been popular here since ancient times. Japanese tattoos conveyed not only a person’s spiritual principles and characteristics of his character, but also provided information about his social status and position in society.
Back full of Japanese style tattoos
History of the development of Japanese tattoos
It should be noted that despite government bans on applying designs to the body, the art of Japanese tattoos originated among the lower social categories of society. It is a well-known fact that the carriers of palanquins covered their naked bodies from view with tattoos with images of representatives of fauna and flora, as well as the images of beautiful maidens.
This is interesting!
Irezumi (from Japanese) - injection of mascara. A special type of tattoo that was popular among courtesans and their admirers. A striking example were moles applied in the area of the thumb, which, when touched by the palms, seemed to disappear from someone else’s gaze.
Dragon head in color in Japanese style
Initially, tattoos were applied as punishment to representatives of the underworld. To disguise the mark of a prisoner, people made tattoos large and bright.
Subsequently, body art became a distinctive sign of firefighters. Later, tattoos appeared on the bodies of artists, merchants and other representatives of Japanese society.
Why was tattooing banned? There is only one answer. The Japanese authorities tried to avoid mixing estates and classes of the population. In Japan, this division was clear and constant. But the larger and stricter the bans were, the more the art of tattooing spread.
In this regard, tattoos began to be applied to those parts of the body that were hidden as much as possible from the outside world, for example, legs, chest, arms.
The fashion for body art received a new impetus when power was concentrated in the bourgeoisie. The next wave came after the end of hostilities. The only problem for the development of the tattoo industry was the loss by artists of ancient secrets and technologies for applying body designs.
Japanese style sleeve tattoo with chrysanthemum
Application technique
Important!
The price of Japanese tattoo designs is quite high. This is determined by the fact that the tattoo is large-scale and requires more than one day of work. Craftsmen prepare mixtures of herbal dyes and dyes as paints.
This is interesting!
To apply a tattoo, the artist uses needles collected in a bunch of 2–10 pieces. Thus, the brightness of the image and the saturation of the picture are achieved.
Koi carp on leg - Japanese tattoo
The main distinctive qualities of Japanese tattoos
The basic rule of Japanese tattooing is the asymmetry of the elements of the composition of the body design. The outline of the drawing is made with smooth and thin lines. Particular attention should be paid to the color scheme and the use of color saturation in the picture. The edge of the element is always done in brighter colors than the central part.
One of the innovations in Japanese tattooing is moving designs. Such designs are applied to the muscles, providing for the movement of the human body. Thus, the masters manage to convey an image in motion, for example, a samurai in a fight with an enemy.
Gloomy Japanese dragon head in black
Japanese tattoo style
Taking into account the peculiarities of the technique of applying a body pattern, it should also be noted that the Japanese tattoo, the photo of which is always fascinating, is distinguished by its enormous scale and rich compositions. Often such drawings contain several fragments and symbols. The scale and cohesion of the design is achieved by filling empty areas with various ornaments.
Gold koi carp
The meaning of tattoos
Japanese tattoos, the meaning of which has a deep philosophical meaning, have always fascinated with bright colors, amazing animals, and mysterious inscriptions.
- Flowers
Peony is a symbol of wealth, money
If black rings are applied to a person’s hand, then their number corresponds to the number of crimes committed by the owner of the tattoo.
I got a Japanese style tattoo on my back and it turned out perfect. The drawing is rich and bright. I couldn’t even imagine that there could be such a realistic picture.
Vladislav, Kostroma
My love for tattoos manifested itself at an early age, when I received slaps on the head from my parents for decorating myself with paints and felt-tip pens. Of course, I didn’t become a master. But he stuffed his sleeves. And on both hands. I developed the sketch together with the master. The result was cool. Make up your mind!
Dmitry, Moscow
Video: review of popular Japanese tattoos
Sketches of Japanese tattoos
Japanese tattoo art
In the art of the East there is such a principle - the beautiful is least accessible to the eye, the greatest effect is produced by what you rarely see. It is part of Japanese traditional culture, and without it the Japanese would lose their sense of beauty. This principle also applies to Japanese tattoos.
History of Japanese tattoos
Tattoos have been banned in Japan in the past, with one unusual exception. Tattoos were only allowed for firefighters, so they decorated their bodies with very intricate designs. It was believed that if a firefighter died, he could be identified by them. Everyone else, including government employees and those involved in saving people, was prohibited by law from getting tattoos. Images were also applied to the bodies of criminals and prisoners.
However, in the 17th century things changed. The reason for this was the abolition of tattoo marks for criminals. Paintings on the body have become allowed both among ordinary people and in yakuza clans. However, wearing a tattoo is still not encouraged in Japan.
The masters passed on the art of body painting to their students. In order to become a specialist, the student was obliged to be the “shadow of the master” for several years, in other words, to learn this craft, all the time being with the teacher. Only through long-term training did one master the technique of drawing images and understand which designs fit together and which ones do not.
In traditional Japanese tattoo culture, there are many traditionally combined images. For example, lions, dragons and demons are located next to flowers, indicating the balance of strength and beauty.
Modern Japanese tattoo artists, as in former times, use manual body painting and do not use electric tattoo devices.
Japanese tattoos and their meaning in Russian.
There are three types of Japanese tattoos: irezumi, gaman and kakushi-boro.
Irezumi (horimono). This word denoted images inherent in the yakuza. They covered the entire back, chest, arms and thighs. In modern meaning, irezumi is simply a tattoo in the Japanese style.
Irezumi
Haman. Such tattoos were applied by noble men who wanted to show their power, bravery and courage.
Kakushi-boro is an unusual type of tattoo that was applied in the armpits or on the inner thigh only by women. This was usually done by stuffing the cuts with rice flour. Only the closest people could see such a tattoo; it became visible on a body heated by love pleasures or after water treatments.
The subject of a Japanese tattoo is very important. Each component of the entire image must contain meaning and characterize the person with the tattoo. For example, carp means happiness and prosperity, rabbit - fertility, tiger - courage and incredible power. Peonies are a sign of luck, sakura symbolizes the fragility of existence, and maple symbolizes love.
Japanese dragon tattoo
The most popular image in Japan is the dragon. In the tattoo of this country, the dragon has parts of the bodies of other animals, these could be the ears of a bull or the body of a snake. It is believed that this fabulous creature gives good luck, and if the dragon entangles the sword, it means great power.
Foreign tattoo artists often make serious mistakes due to the fact that they do not understand Japanese symbols.
Japanese hieroglyph tattoos
The most famous tattoos are the Japanese Kanji characters. This type of body painting has extraordinary beauty and variety. With skillfully applied signs of the traditional calligraphic writing of the land of the rising sun, you can tell everything about yourself.
Kanji characters meanings
In addition, images of fantastic animals are popular. It could be a Koi fish, half ox - half dragon, which brings joy and wealth.
Video about Japanese tattoos
The video tells about the history of applying patterns to the skin in the style of the land of the rising sun.
Article genre - Japanese tattoos
According to the most common version, in the 5th century. BC e. the tattoo was borrowed from China, where it was used since the 11th century. BC e. In the 3rd century. n. e. Chinese travelers who visited Japan noted in the chronicle of San Kuochi that people of noble origin here differ from the common people in that they wear designs on their faces. According to another theory, tattooing came to Japan in ancient times thanks to the Ainam, who lived next to the Japanese in the period from 7000 to 250 BC. The most widespread legend among the Japanese themselves is that the mythical ruler of Japan Jimmu (660-585 BC) wore such effective tattoos that he delighted Queen Senoyatatara who composed a poem in their honor. Therefore, in Japan, until the year 500, decorating the body with a tattoo was the privilege of emperors; later it turned into a decorative art.
The favorable climate for the rapid development of the arts, created by the historical events of the 17th century, contributed to the emergence of beautiful artistic tattooing as a separate branch of art. Over time, tattoo fashion has become mandatory in certain social circles. At the beginning of the 19th century. In the largest Japanese city of Edo (present-day Tokyo), body tattooing has become so popular that the list of the seven wonders of the capital would probably include an artisan who does not have skin designs.
To attract the attention of clients, they begin to decorate their bodies with beautiful courtesan tattoos. With the help of Oiran and Tayu tattoos, they circumvented the ban on displaying nudity. The skin covered with multi-colored patterns seemed to be a kind of imitation of clothing, making the woman even more seductive. In this case, only the face, palms and feet remained untattooed. Often strong feelings arose between the oiran and her partner, and then they got tattooed together. For example, as a sign of fidelity to each other, moles were applied to each other's hands, so that when the palms were clasped together, the marks would be mutually covered by the thumbs. The names of lovers were pinned, accompanied by the hieroglyph inoti - fate, which in Russian can be interpreted as love to the grave.
Flower tattoos are part of the Japanese tradition: peony symbolizes wealth and good luck, chrysanthemum - determination and self-control, sakura - "We are just guests on this earth".
Samurai got tattoos of sakura and chrysanthemum flowers, thereby making it clear that they could die on the battlefield at any moment and for this they had enough determination. The short life cycle of the Japanese cherry tree is the fleeting nature of life. And the life of a samurai was like cherry blossoms.
Tattoos in the form of pink cherry blossoms have become famous far beyond Japan, especially among women.
The popularity of tattoos also grew thanks to famous dramatic actors who saw in it a new way to achieve expression on stage. At the end of the 18th century. The outstanding actor Nakamura Utaemon IV could boast of one of the most beautiful tattoos. Following the example of actors, the fashion for tattoos gradually began to take hold of some circles of the Japanese aristocracy. The period at the turn of the 18th - 19th centuries is considered golden in the history of Japanese tattoos. Painting motifs have become not only a decoration for the body, but also a subject for reflection. As a rule, tattoos depict legendary heroes or religious subjects, which can be interspersed with flowers, landscapes, symbolic animals such as dragons and tigers, against a background of waves, clouds or rays, and in motion, which makes their perception three-dimensional, since the main motifs of Japanese tattoos were ancient fairy tales and legends associated with the sea. A large group of saints, samurai and monks, courtesans, geishas, kabuki actors, sumo wrestlers, etc. have also found a place in Japanese tattooing.
The most common tattoo motifs were dragon and carp. The popularity of tattooing and its elevation to the rank of art led to the high prestige of the most popular Japanese tattooists, who were called hori. The name comes from the main word "horu", which means the action of "engraving" or "digging", while the concept "hori-mono" corresponds to the word "tattooing". Even today in Japan the names of the famous tattoo artists of the Edo period are remembered. These include: Hori Iyuua, Karakusa-Gonta, Kon Konjiro, Nakamon, Kaneto, Yakkozei, Darumakin, Iku. To this day, prominent modern Hori-mono practitioners refuse to use an electric tattoo machine.
While working, tattoo artists use bamboo sticks with needles attached to them. To apply a pattern, from one to four needles are used; to fill the surface of the pattern, a set of thirty needles in the shape of a bunch is used. This bunch of needles is called "hari".
In the process of performing a Japanese tattoo five phases are distinguished.
The first phase (“suji”) is based on applying a sketch of the motif and the entire composition to the skin using black ink or a special dye that is firmly held on the skin. One session is enough to do this job.
The second phase is highlighting and securing the contour with a tool with one to four needles attached to it, which are immersed in very thick black ink.
The third phase is based on pricking the skin with a large number of needles collected in a bundle. This allows you to achieve the desired filling of the composition with color and tone.
The fourth phase, called “tsuki-hari” (“tsuki” - to pierce and “hari” - a bunch of needles), consists of shallow pricking with a small number of needles significant fragments of the body surface without shading it. The needles are driven into the skin using light blows with the heel of the palm, after which the needles are further pressed into the body.
The fifth phase is that while pricking the skin, the hand is given a slight swing. The depth of the piercing is precisely controlled. The use of this technique allows you to achieve the best effects when shading the surface of the composition. This procedure is the least painful, as it is carefully controlled, and at the same time the most technically difficult.
Japanese tattooists use predominantly black and red pigments, less often bronze and very rarely green and yellow. After each tattoo procedure, the client is required to take a bath. This makes you feel better and makes the tattoo more effective. People with a newly tattooed tattoo are cautioned against drinking alcohol, as alcohol combined with a newly tattooed skin can lead to poisoning of the body.
However, over time, tattoo art has become a symbol of the underworld. In ancient Japan, a person with a tattoo was persona non grata: he was expelled from his family and society, doomed to complete isolation.
There is evidence that already in the 8th century, punishment tattoos were used in the land of the rising sun. One of the conspirators who decided to overthrow the existing government was tattooed right next to his eyes so that everyone would know what a terrible crime he was planning. Four centuries later, the separation of criminals from the law-abiding population through tattooing became widespread. Moreover, in different principalities and provinces they were branded as punishment in different ways.
In the town of Chukuzen, those guilty of the first crime were marked with a horizontal line on their forehead, for the second - an arched line, for the third - another line. These 3 features made up the hieroglyph “inu”, which means “dog” (in the limited dictionary of Japanese curses, this word is one of the most terrible). The criminals were also marked with a circle on the left shoulder, and a double line around the biceps of the left arm (each new crime was added along the line), and the hieroglyph “aku”, which translated means “villain”.
Therefore, initially, yakuza tattoos carried the meaning of hiding punishment tattoos - on the body of criminals, tattoos were usually made in a visible place and could even tell in which prison they were serving their sentences. Irezumi is an attempt to “hide” the mark of a criminal through stylization and the introduction of additional motives.
The Yakuza have used extensive tattoos for centuries as a sign of group membership and to indicate their position within the group.
In addition, upon joining the Yakuza, peasants and artisans were given new, militant-sounding names, such as Tiger and Crane, Nine Dragons, Roaring Storm, etc., which were then painted as paintings on their backs or chests. The Japanese classic tattoo, inherited by the yakuza, is distinguished by its beauty, variety of subjects and colors, and carries a hidden meaning that is incomprehensible to the uninitiated.
The Dragon- symbolizes power and strength, and at the same time unites fire and water.
The dragon has always been a powerful and beautiful animal for the Japanese. According to mythological beliefs, tatsu, as dragons are called in Japan, living near bodies of water have close connections with the gods. This is one of the reasons why dragon tattoos are so popular. For the Japanese, the image of a dragon should bring good luck. The size, style, and location of a tattoo can change the meaning. For example, a dragon wrapped around a sword and glaring at you with its bright red eyes demonstrates the power and strength of its owner. A dragon hovering above the clouds means determination to do anything for the sake of freedom and independence.
Carp- symbolizes courage, bravery, stoicism. A special place is occupied by various marine and generally water motifs, which can be explained simply: the life of many Japanese is closely connected with the sea. For this reason, in Japanese tattoos, a wave motif often appears next to water creatures, serving as a background and revealing the texture of the body. Sometimes it dictates stylistic originality.
Tiger - symbol of fearlessness. Despite the fact that the tiger is extremely rare in Japan, tattoo artists have often depicted it since the end of the Edo period. Largely thanks to one of the heroes of the novel “Suikoden”, who had a tiger tattoo on his back. Most often, the image is somewhat distorted, since the tiger could only be seen in Chinese paintings. Persistence, power, dominance are the symbolism associated with the tiger. A tiger with its claws out or pouncing on prey will tell about the aggressive nature of the owner of the tattoo.
Snakes, with which many religious rites were associated in Japan in the distant past, symbolizes the regenerative nature of life itself. In Japanese tradition, the snake is associated with the divine feminine principle - wisdom and cunning.
The most famous Japanese tattoo is probably still han demon mask, although she has nothing to do with the devil. A mask, on the contrary, can ward off evil. Once upon a time there lived a young woman who fell in love with a monk. But the love remained unrequited, rage distorted her beautiful face and she turned into an oni (demon). The Han mask is used in Noh theater performances to depict women who turn into monsters due to jealousy and anger. Tattoos in the form of a Han mask were made by samurai, believing that the fallen angels would also protect them.
Demons, monsters, one might say, are a revered topic in Japanese culture, especially in tattooing. According to the Japanese, tattoos of this kind, on the contrary, will protect and protect. Dog demon (Inuyasha), centipede demon, foxes, tanuki are common characters in Japanese-style tattoos. The most striking feature of Japanese tattoos is its extensiveness. A tattoo, which was consistently performed on a person over several years, could lead to the emergence of a composition in the form of a “kimono” or “open cloak.” This tattoo is called full and tightly covers the torso, leaving unfilled space in the center of the chest and abdomen. In the upper part it reaches the elbows, filling the forearms, in the lower part it ends on the hips. Also distinctive features are the presence of pronounced motifs:
- usually there is one main one, and a large number of small ones, with the help of which the entire surface of the skin is filled. They often intertwine and create a background for the presenter. Ornaments (usually geometric) and inscriptions can also be used as secondary ones. - multi-color, intensity, contrast of colors (black and red colors are most common),
- expressiveness and expression, achieved by using knowledge of human anatomy, primarily muscle tissue (the image is applied in such a way as to create the effect of movement when the muscles work), interweaving parts of the body into the motif of the drawing (the navel, collarbones, nipples became elements of the general motif),
- emphasizing contours: the edges of the main motifs were shaded or highlighted with a decorative contour.
symbolism - almost any motive of a Japanese tattoo is a symbol.
Japanese tattoo artists continue to fulfill orders, passing on their skills from generation to generation, along with a unique method of tattooing (traditional tattoo art involves a canonical manufacturing method using bamboo and family dye recipes)
Schools of Japanese tattoo artists, studios and family clans (Horitoshi, Horitama, Irezumi and others) are widely known. Masters from other continents also offer “Japanese tattoo” services, however, despite the high-quality work, the truly traditional method of making a Japanese tattoo remains only in Japan itself within the clans.
Japan tattoo is an ancient oriental style that has deep roots and a rich history. Since ancient times, Japanese tattoo artists have been held in high esteem not only in their homeland, but throughout the world. Influential people and even monarchs wore drawings by Japanese masters. Traditionally, tattoos from the Land of the Rising Sun depict dragons, fish, tigers, demon masks, flowers and ornaments.
The Japanese are considered a people who preserve their traditions. In the old days, each element of the picture carried a certain meaning. Any detail of the tattoo had to be done in accordance with the canon. Today, in times of globalization, when people mention Japanese tattoos, they no longer mean the old classical school of ancient masters, but also new trends. Many artists around the world have studied the art of Japanese tattooing and transformed the old style, adapted it to modern times, and introduced new creative elements into it.
History of Japanese Tattoo
Traditionally, Japanese tattoos were applied with a special bamboo tebori stick. The application process took many hours. Japanese tattoos in most cases are voluminous, these are large tattoo sleeves or a tattoo suit that covers most of the body. The process of training a tattoo artist in Japan was long and difficult. The master first of all had to learn patience, so he was allowed to work only after several years.
Interesting Facts
In Japanese tradition, tattooing is closely associated with the mafia. Modern authorities still have a negative attitude towards tattoos. People with tattoos often fall out of favor with the authorities and can be kicked out of a swimming pool or any other public place. That's why the Japanese don't get tattoos in visible places and don't show them off in public.
Japanese Tattoos - Main Stories
Japan Carp Tattoo- one of the most popular stories. The carp symbol became popular due to the legend of Makatsuge, a fish who, through his perseverance, reached the Dragon Gate and turned into a dragon fish. In the legend, this fish was a carp. Carps (or as they are called in their homeland - Koi) symbolize perseverance, the ability to swim against the tide. Traditionally, a carp tattoo is considered masculine and embodies masculine energy.
Turtle Tattooamong eastern peoples it symbolizes wisdom and the ability to predict the future.
Dragon Tattoo- a symbol of the sun, good luck and longevity. The Japanese depicted dragons with three toes. According to legend, the dragon is considered a sacred guardian spirit and is revered by people.
Tiger Tattoo- a symbol of courage, strength, bravery and nobility. The Japanese believe that tigers have the ability to ward off evil spirits.
Snake Tattoo- protection from misfortunes and failures, snakes have superpowers that help people avoid troubles. The image of a snake coiled around a hammer brings good luck, wealth and prosperity.
Chania mask tattoo- This is an image of an ancient spirit into which a jealous girl turned. This image, according to one version, symbolizes the embodiment of wisdom, and according to another, it reminds people of how destructive it is to succumb to negative feelings.
Japan Tattoos for Men - Japanese Style Tattoos for Men
Men choose the Japanese tattoo style more often than women. The first reason is the volume of the drawing. Japanese tattoos are almost always very large and bright, making it easier for a man to decide to take such a bold step. Tattoo - a suit or sleeves in the Japanese style is a sign of reverence for Eastern culture, their ancient traditions and symbols. Japanese Carp tattoo is considered a traditional men's tattoo.
Women's Tattoos Japan - Japanese Style Tattoos for Girls
Girls do not often decide to get a Japanese-style tattoo, but there are also brave lovers of the bright, symbolic oriental style. Tattoos with chrysanthemums, peonies and can often be found among women. Girls cannot always decide on sleeves or a large pattern on the back, but even a small tattoo stylized as a traditional Japanese tattoo adds a special style and flavor to a girl’s image.
It has been proven that Japanese-style tattoos originated thousands of years ago, but during this time they have not lost any of their popularity. In addition, such tattoos were considered particularly influential, worn by high-ranking people such as the King of Denmark, Frederick IX and, according to unofficial sources, Nicholas II.
By the way, there is currently an unwritten ban on tattoos in Japan. At least the authorities do not accept tattoos as art. It's all about stereotypes, according to which a person with a tattoo is considered a member of the mafia, engaged in dirty deeds.
Japan is a country with unusual traditions and symbols, completely different from what we are used to. The local culture fascinates us, which is why, by painting our bodies in this style, we try to partially touch its mysteries.
The Japanese style cannot be ignored; just one look at the stunning sketches will captivate you. The most popular tattoos are the Japanese dragon, painted with bright colors. According to legend, a tattoo of a mythological creature can protect a person from fire. Often in this style you can see unusual combinations that combine the aggressiveness of animals and the serenity of flowers in the design. This shows a person that everything in the world should be balanced.
The image of sakura on the body is also very symbolic. This makes it clear that life is short, like a cherry blossom blossoming and then falling away.
Japanese tattoo artists are true specialists in their field. Before you pick up a needle, you need to study every detail of the sketch and delve into the bottomless history of this culture.
