The Japanese are not new to the art of tattooing as it has been practiced for centuries initially by the Ainu people and can be dated back to over 5000BC. Body art was especially popular during the Edo period of Japanese history at which time body art was used by the prostitutes, firemen and laborers. Japanese tattoo designs get there authenticity from ancient wood-cut art and the beautiful watercolor and landscape art.
The exquisite rendition of culture and history through tattoo design is both intricate and detailed and for this reason may be expensive. Traditional Japanese tattoo design is called horimono which means "carving" or irezumi which means "insert ink". Body art was only accepted by the government in the middle of the twentieth century.
Artists use brightly coloured designs of images which reflect Japanese culture and belief. The symbols include certain animals for example the koi or carp who represent perseverance, ancient drawings of dragons, symbolic flowers and demons. The tattoos are normally large and clear with intense colour and are mainly used on the arm, shoulder or back where the tattoo may be hidden by clothing and is normally not visible.
A practice of punishment was to use tattoos on criminals and was known as bokukei or else bokkei which came to an end in the year 1870 by the Japanese Emperor's new Meiji government and unfortunately this left behind a bad connotation for many Japanese people as it may also be linked to the yakuza or Japanese mafia. In modern times Japanese designs are believed to be fashionable.
There are various dragon designs to choose from representing the element wood and male influences, these are categorized as west and Asian dragon drawings as western culture has influenced designs over time and westerners enjoy the visualization of samurai's or warriors and exotic Asian history and legends.
Kanji is very popular form of calligraphy which refers to characters that translate into various things such as love, life or the name of somebody such as "Joy". The Phoenix is a popular design of a bird that symbolizes justice and fidelity she represents the element of fire and female forces. Clouds, waves and water are often in the background.
Japanese culture is rich in respect for life and nature which is also seen in their tattooing. Japan hold frequent events and expo's in honour of tattoo art to enable the public to use and enjoy Japanese heritage that is filled with rich fantasy in symbolism.
The exquisite rendition of culture and history through tattoo design is both intricate and detailed and for this reason may be expensive. Traditional Japanese tattoo design is called horimono which means "carving" or irezumi which means "insert ink". Body art was only accepted by the government in the middle of the twentieth century.
Artists use brightly coloured designs of images which reflect Japanese culture and belief. The symbols include certain animals for example the koi or carp who represent perseverance, ancient drawings of dragons, symbolic flowers and demons. The tattoos are normally large and clear with intense colour and are mainly used on the arm, shoulder or back where the tattoo may be hidden by clothing and is normally not visible.
A practice of punishment was to use tattoos on criminals and was known as bokukei or else bokkei which came to an end in the year 1870 by the Japanese Emperor's new Meiji government and unfortunately this left behind a bad connotation for many Japanese people as it may also be linked to the yakuza or Japanese mafia. In modern times Japanese designs are believed to be fashionable.
There are various dragon designs to choose from representing the element wood and male influences, these are categorized as west and Asian dragon drawings as western culture has influenced designs over time and westerners enjoy the visualization of samurai's or warriors and exotic Asian history and legends.
Kanji is very popular form of calligraphy which refers to characters that translate into various things such as love, life or the name of somebody such as "Joy". The Phoenix is a popular design of a bird that symbolizes justice and fidelity she represents the element of fire and female forces. Clouds, waves and water are often in the background.
Japanese culture is rich in respect for life and nature which is also seen in their tattooing. Japan hold frequent events and expo's in honour of tattoo art to enable the public to use and enjoy Japanese heritage that is filled with rich fantasy in symbolism.
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