Japanese TattoosJapanese Tattoos RSS Feed http://www.japanese-tattoos.com All about Japanese Tattoos Fri, 02 Mar 2012 23:39:02 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 Japanese Tattoos – Tebori http://www.japanese-tattoos.com/japanese-tattoos/japanese-tattoos-tebori http://www.japanese-tattoos.com/japanese-tattoos/japanese-tattoos-tebori#comments Fri, 09 Sep 2011 13:27:06 +0000 admin http://www.japanese-tattoos.com/?p=68 ]]>
Tebori (hand-tattooing) has largely been replaced now by Yobori (machine tattooing).  Tebori give a far superior finish as it creates a gradation of tones that are difficult to achieve using a tattoo machine.

Traditional Japanese Tattoos (irezumi) are carried out by specialist (often illusive) tattooists using the Tebori method.  It is estimated that there are about one hundred recognized practitioners of alive today in Japan.

Full body irezumi (tebori)  is painful, time-consuming and expensive: a typical traditional body suit (covering the arms, back, upper legs and chest, but leaving an untattooed ‘river’ down the center of the body where an unbottoned shirt or coat could conceal the tattoo) can take up to ten years to complete, with weekly visits to the tattooist and can cost in excess of US$30-50,000.

It is estimated that approximately twenty thousand Japanese have half body tattoos, with about two hundred carrying on with a full body tattoo.

]]> http://www.japanese-tattoos.com/japanese-tattoos/japanese-tattoos-tebori/feed 0 Japanese Dragon Tattoos http://www.japanese-tattoos.com/japanese-tattoos/japanese-dragon-tattoos http://www.japanese-tattoos.com/japanese-tattoos/japanese-dragon-tattoos#comments Fri, 09 Sep 2011 13:10:26 +0000 admin http://www.japanese-tattoos.com/?p=50 ]]>  

A Japanese Dragon is a great choice of tattoo.  Time a care is required when researching the best design for you as there are many dragon types and styles, all with very different meanings.If you already know what you want and are looking for design templates – then head straight to Chopper Tattoos who have a great selection to choose from.

Japanese Dragon Tattoos are colorful tattoo designs which are symbolic, with origins from myth and folklore. The dragon is seen as a water deity and tattoos often include clouds, lightning, and waves.Dragons were popular with firefighters in the 19th century mainly because of their dual associations with fire and water.

In Japanese culture the dragon is associated with supernatural powers and extraordinary wisdom.  It is also seen as a mediator between life and death, good and evil, freedom and fear, yin and yang.  To the wearer, the tattoo depicts strength, wisdom, wholeness and bravery.

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.

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]]> http://www.japanese-tattoos.com/japanese-tattoos/japanese-dragon-tattoos/feed 0 Japanese Koi Tattoos http://www.japanese-tattoos.com/japanese-tattoos/japanese-koi-tattoos http://www.japanese-tattoos.com/japanese-tattoos/japanese-koi-tattoos#comments Fri, 09 Sep 2011 13:07:54 +0000 admin http://www.japanese-tattoos.com/?p=48 ]]> The work Koi comes from the Japanese (meaning ‘carp’), or more specifically, ‘nishikigoi’ (meaning ‘brocaded carp’) is a ornamental, brightly coloured (white, golden or orange), domesticated freshwater fish that is often found in public ponds.  Although Chinese in origin, the Koi is celebrated for its manly qualities in Japan.

If you already know what you want and are looking for design templates – then head straight to Chopper Tattoos who have a great selection to choose from.

In Japan, the koi is a strong symbol of masculinity.

The term also sounds like a Japanese word for “love,” so the brightly colored fish are popular symbols of friendship, affection or love.  Koi is also seen as a symbolic value of abundance and wealth, and as a personification of warriors and spiritual guides.  In tattoo imagery, especially in combination with flowing water, it symbolizes much the same:  courage, the ability to achieve lifes goals and overcoming obstacles.

Koi tattoos can simply be an indication of love or affection.  A tattoo of a Koi swimming upstream against the current or climbing a waterfall could depict someone who is struggling to overcome lifes problems, whereas a koi flowing downstream could depict someone who has overcome difficulties.  A Red Koi usually symbolises love and a Dragon Koi represents overcoming difficulties.

The most popular colours for Japanese koi tattoos is black and white.  If you have dark skin you can choose natural color such as red,yellow and black colour.

]]> http://www.japanese-tattoos.com/japanese-tattoos/japanese-koi-tattoos/feed 0 Japanese Tattoos – Glossary of Terms http://www.japanese-tattoos.com/japanese-tattoos/japanese-tattoos-glossary-of-terms http://www.japanese-tattoos.com/japanese-tattoos/japanese-tattoos-glossary-of-terms#comments Fri, 09 Sep 2011 13:06:48 +0000 admin http://www.japanese-tattoos.com/?p=46 ]]> Glossary of some Japanese tattoo terms

Irezumi: Insertion of ink under the skin
Horimono: This is another word for traditional Japanese tattoos.
Horishi: Tattoo artist.
Bokukei: Punishment by tattooing.
Tebori: The technique of tattooing by hand.
Hanebori: The technique of tattooing by hand using a feathering motion.
Tsuki-bori: The technique of tattooing by hand using a thrusting motion.
Kakushibori: Tattooing of hidden body areas.
Kebori: Tattooing of fine lines.
Sujibori: The outline of a tattoo.
Yobori: The Japanese-English slang term for tattooing done with the machine.
Sumi: The ink used to tattoo
Hikae: Chest tattoos
Nagasode: Arm and / or  wrist tattoos

]]> http://www.japanese-tattoos.com/japanese-tattoos/japanese-tattoos-glossary-of-terms/feed 0 Japanese Tattoos http://www.japanese-tattoos.com/japanese-tattoos/japanese-tattoos http://www.japanese-tattoos.com/japanese-tattoos/japanese-tattoos#comments Tue, 06 Sep 2011 21:19:59 +0000 admin http://www.japanese-tattoos.com/?p=36 ]]> Welcome to Japanese Tattoos.
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
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