Okami is the Japanese word for wolf. In this gallery many of the designs reference the popular and unique Nintendo video game Okami, one of the most interesting classic titles in Japanese gaming. For other collectors, Japanese wolf tattoos are linked to Shinto religion and the spirit world Much like the Kitsune (fox), wolves were believed to be messengers between the living and dead and were...
Irezumi is the Japanese word for tattoo. While ostensibly referring to "inserting ink" in Japanese tattooing, Irezumi is also used as a blanket term to describe various tattoo-by-hand styles originating in Japan. This gallery showcases some of the best traditional style Japanese irezumi, the majority of which have been done via machine. As irezumi have done for generations of Western...
The ronin samurai warrior is a romanticized tattoo subject, often portrayed as the Japanese equivalent of Clint Eastwood. Ronin were masterless samurai either disenfranchised by the death of their master or through their leader's loss of favor and privilege. In the rigid class system of feudal Japan, most Samurai lords who lost honor for their houses committed seppuku (ritual suicide)....
In the world of modern tattoos , the painted visage of the geisha girl has come to represent grace, elegance, beauty, and femininity. A Geisha tattoo design offers the tattoo artist and subject a motif that can be incorporated into a wide range of interesting styles and concepts, from traditional Japanese body art to contemporary ink in the American style....
The turtle is no stranger to Western culture, but its Japanese sibling has yet to make a widespread introduction. Dramatic in appearance and viewed as a harbinger of wisdom, prosperity, and longevity, the Japanese turtle may not be a common tattoo choice, but that's all the more reason to be among the first to adopt it. Depicted with sharp, primordial...
The frog holds a prestigious place in Japanese culture, so unlike our own in regards to such creatures. Believed to hold infinite powers of prosperity, luck, and lifelong abundance, the Japanese frog is heralded as the god of rainfall during the tsuyu season and ensurer of harvests. With such a wealth of good fortune in its wake, the Japanese frog...
Fearsome and protective, wise and preeminent-- Fudo Myoo is an intense god who has had his image preserved in some of the most impressive traditional Japanese artworks. Consider this imposing and formidable subject for your next tattoo for an awe-inspiring visual. Fudo Myoo is considered to be the ultimate protector in the Shingon Japanese tradition, which is why he is...
Like tattoos, sushi is an art form. The juxtaposition of cooked rice, seafood, and vegetables makes for a minimalist yet colorful dish. That elegance translates well into ink. From its inception in Southeast Asia to its refinement in Japan to its absorption into worldwide cuisine, sushi has delighted people for centuries. It has even become an American food staple by...
One of the more popular and striking Japanese tattoo themes for men is the snake. Unlike in predominantly Christian cultures, it lacks the ties with evil and temptation that many in the US have grown up with. The Japanese snake tattoo, or hebi, can have a few different symbolic connotations. It's often seen as a phallic/sexual symbol but also linked...
Death Note has to be one of the more recognizable anime trends, if for no other reason than one of the characters, Ryuk, is terrifying and striking at the same time. He is perhaps the most common subject for Death Note tattoos, and he certainly should be. His imagery evokes an unusual mix of fear and laughter, and those who...
