There has been an extraordinary growth of traditional
Japanese tattoo designs in the past few years. It used to be that
tattoos were relegated to the Yakuza or Japanese gangs and the criminals in the society. Just the site of a
tattoo used to and still can strike fear into people.
However, Japan is a rapidly changing country and they are starting to see the value in
tattoos and more and more people have a deep veneration for them. For most
tattoo artists and
tattoo enthusiasts alike Japanese designs have always been sought after. Here are some
Japanese tattoo meanings and
design ideas to help give you a guide of some possibilities if you are interested in getting such a
Japanese Tattoo design.
Cherry Blossom Tattoos
Japanese Tattoo
For the
Japanese Tattoo the cherry blossom is seen to represent life itself. The flower is a thing of great beauty. It is strong in that is pushes itself and blooms in harsh conditions and climates and often comes out when the snow is first melting. Yet it is paradoxically fragile at the same time. It is fragile because it will only last a few days and then it will fall from the tree and land in the snow. The
Japanese Tattoo views this as a representation of life itself. Life should be lived to extreme beauty and everyday should be lived to its fullest. Yet one must always be aware of the option of death and therefore with the eventuality of death live life even more fully. This is a great
Japanese Tattoo and a symbol that is laden with powerful reminders and a great guide to how each individual should live their life
Koi Fish TattoosKoi fish are probably the second most powerful symbol in
tattoo designs in general but also for the
Japanese Tattoo. Koi fish can be seen in front of almost every temple throughout Japan. The myth states that the Koi fish swim back up stream against the current to eventually read a bridge or a gate. If they can make it to the gate they are turned into dragons and magically fly away to start a new life. The symbolism behind this
Japanese Tattoo design is one of persistence which is a very deep and important concept for the
Japanese tattoo. In fact they have many more words to describe persistence, effort and sticking with something in the language then we do in English.
Hannya MasksHannya masks are scary looking and demonic masks. The mask comes from the famous Kabuki plays in Japan and it depicts a woman who has been consumed with rage over a lover or someone that has not returned her love. There are different differences as each
Kabuki play has a different interpretation. At any rate these masks represent jealous women. However, they have been widely used in
Japanese tattoos and also here in the west. When they are used in
tattoo in it is believed that they will ward of evil spirits and bring good luck to the person wearing it.
Japanese Tattoo will also sometimes but these up for display high in the room of their house to ward off evil spirits.
SamuraiSamurai of course lived by the code of Bushido. There is not enough room here to full explain the code of Bushido but it deals with living life to the fullest, being prepared to die in service and being loyal and strong. The concepts of
Bushido are pretty much at the heart of all
Japanese Tattoo values and morals and also what is taught to most new kids over and over again through stories. You could say the code of Bushido is the heart of the
Japanese philosophy and beliefs. Samurai’s and
samurai tattoos of course are the best sign of these beliefs.
Japanese Tattoo
