Nothing to do with Japanese Tattoos really (although the tattoo could be Japanese I guess), but I thought I would share with you a great book that I recently finished – ‘The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo’ by Steig Larsson (winner of the British Book Awards, Best Crime Thriller of the Year, 2009).

I am not what you would call a book connoisseur or acclaimed critic, but I thought the book was a gripping, rip roaring crime thriller, which was virtually impossible to put down (meaning quite a few late nights, particularly as the second and third books are just as good – yawn).  The films are great too.

This is how Amazon sums up the story …

Forty years ago, Harriet Vanger disappeared from a family gathering. Her body was never found, yet her uncle is convinced it was murder – and that the killer is a member of his own family. He employs journalist Mikael Blomkvist and the tattooed, truculent computer hacker Lisbeth Salander to investigate.

When the pair link Harriet’s disappearance to a number of grotesque murders from forty years ago, they begin to unravel a dark and appalling family history. But the Vangers are a secretive clan, and Blomkvist and Salander are about to find out just how far they are prepared to go to protect themselves.

Sadly the authour did not live to see the worldwide phenomenon his trilogy has become.

Personally, I think a fair rating for the book overall is 90% – highly recommended.

The Japanese Dragon tattoo is also popular with Yakuza (the Japanese mafia).

The Anatomy of a Japanese Dragon

The Japanese dragons anatomy is made up of parts from other animals, particularly they have:

• no wings.
• a serpentine-like form (esp the neck)
• the head of a camel.
• the horns of a stag
• demonic eyes
• scales of a carp (koi).
• the paws of a tiger.
• claws like an eagle.
• long whiskers or bearded.

Examples of Japanese Dragon.

• Sui-Riu is a dragon king and controls the rain.
• Han-Riu has many stripes on his body and to forty feet in length. One of the largest dragon.
• Ka-Riu is a brilliant red color and dragon tiny compared to the others.
• Fuku-Riu is a dragon favorite of many people because it is a luck dragon.
• Hai-Riyo known as bird dragon, and the most advanced form of a dragon. It evolved from Chinese mythology.
• Ri-Riu dragon is a rare species that are not well understood. However, it is known that they have an amazing eye.

Some famous dragons from Japan include:

• The Blue Dragon – the Protector of the Zodiac
• O Goncho – A white dragon that once every fifty years transforms into a golden bird. Its cry brings famine.
• Uwibami – More akin to the stereotypical evil Western dragon, Uwibami was a great beast that would snatch men from their horses and eat them.
• Yofune-Nushi – Another less than pleasant dragon who craved female human flesh and demanded a maiden sacrifice once a year.

Colouring of Japanese Dragons

The colours of a dragon are also significant:

• Black, white, blue and red coloured dragons are described as corresponding with the four elements (wind, earth, water and fire), as well as with the four directions (north, south, east and west).
• Yellow dragons are rare.  They are a great friend when you need help and have a reputation for staying aloof from humanity, only emerging at opportune moments.
• Green dragons are connected to the earth.
• Black dragons means their parents are very old and wise. green dragon is smaller than average, but the representation of life and earth.
• Gold-coloured dragon are special because they have many attributes such as wisdom, kindness and ability to face challenges in the head.

If you are thinking about having a Japanese tattoo, or want to know more about Japanese tattoos then this website is for you.

The site is new and will we are working on the content at the moment – we are looking at writing articles on the following:

Japanese Dragon Tattoos

Japanese Flowers Tattoos

Japanese Gods Tattoos

Japanese Koi Tattoos

Japanese Tattoos

Japanese Tattoos Cherry Blossom

Japanese Tattoos Designs

Japanese Tattoos for Women

Japanese Tattoos History

Japanese Tattoos Kanji

Japanese Tattoos Meanings

Japanese Tattoos Samurai

Japanese Tattoos Sleeve

Japanese Tattoos Symbols