Japanese Tattoos

About Japanese Tattoos

Japanese tattooing (Irezumi) is one of the oldest, most codified styles in the world — bold subjects like dragons, koi and tigers set against flowing wind, water and clouds, built to wrap the body as a single unified composition.

• The background isn't decoration — it ties the design to the body and gives it movement
• Every subject carries folklore: koi (perseverance), dragons (wisdom and strength)
• Built for large canvases — full/half sleeves, back pieces, chest panels, leg sleeves
• Composition follows real rules; many specialists train for years to master them
• Look for proper background work and correct subject pairings, not images floating on skin

Last updated June 2026