Traditional Japanese Tattoos

The japanese traditional tattoo first made its appearance in the 1800’s, several decades before its American counterpart. It is tattooing’s oldest pictorial tradition, arguably its most successful, and it offers, above all, heavy coverage in tattoos, creating full bodysuit tattoos, backpiece tattoos, and sleeve tattoos.

For these reasons, it was imported by American tattoo masters such as Sailor Jerry Collins and Don Ed Hardy, who in doing so, created a new frontier of American traditional tattooing – the japanese style tattoo.

The japanese tattoo is highly concerned with the overall aesthetic of the work. The body is seen as one cohesive whole- and the tattoo follows suit.

Power itself is the ultimate meaning of the traditional Japanese tattoo. The power of the Creator, of nature, of man and beast, is on full display. There is also beauty to be found in this power, but the tattoo is more concerned with building up the power of its wearer with imagery of strength and dedication. These two one must have in spades to withstand the affair, at any rate.

Looking closer, there are subtleties that can be gleaned. One finds layers of meaning in these brocaded tattoos. Stories unfold, relationships proliferate, and legends are passed on. The hero’s journey is undertaken, is accomplished in visual form, as well as through the suffering and transformation of the wearer of the work as the tattoos comes alive session by session…

Traditional japanese tattoos employ a set number of designs to create a complete system of expression. The heroes, animals, flowers, and wind all combine to portray the power of nature that the client will get to wear, to become. The balance is inherent in the work, the way of the world is expressed in this language of pictures carved into the skin. Reality is seen as it is, without distortion. The objective conquers the subjective. Everything is in its place. Man has regained his power!

Each image in the bodysuit tattoo is offset and complemented by another. Each colorful tattoo design is backed up with a setting of rich blacks and greys using the incomparable sumi ink of Japan.

The back is the main canvas for this extreme artform. The Japanese back tattoo extends down the buttocks, and down to the middle of the thigh. This is the anchor of the japanese bodysuit, as well as its culmination and zenith. The sleeves flow forward from this center. The chest panels flow forth, and spill down the ribs and stomach. The leg sleeve finishes off the japanese bodysuit tattoo, and provides for its sturdy foundation.

The placement of images is very important and is an art all in itself. The format of the tattoo is highly specific, exact. The practice of learning the way all these body parts connect in the japanese tattoo is a large part of the journey towards becoming a japanese tattoo master.

The pairings of images are either right or wrong. They are black and white. An artist who understands these pairings will never fail to pair correctly. Ignorance of the pairings will always result in work that does not make sense, work that is visual gibberish.

These are just a few of the very important aspects of the japanese traditional tattoo that the artist must understand. A good deal of knowledge is required to work in this prestigious style. The historical tattoos and artwork must be known.  This understanding will lead the artist to the correct canon of tattoo images- he can then be the client’s guide to this world of pictures and meaning.

Some Dallas tattoo artists have become highly interested in the japanese tattoo. It is detailed, prolific, and staggering in size and proportion. The experienced tattooist and collector are drawn to this style because they offer heavy coverage in images of power- and that heavy coverage is seen by collectors as power itself!