Asian Tattoos: Japanese Tattoo Designs

Japanese Tattoo Designs

If you have been contemplating getting a Japanese style tattoo here are some of the more common themes.

Koi Fish Tattoo Designs
Koi fish make for a wonderful tattoo. Their beautiful colors and the symbolism behind them make for a great choice in tattoos. In Japan koi fish can always be found in a pond at almost every temple and major shrine. They are seen to be peaceful and very meditative as well as good luck. Yet, the symbolism does not end their. The Koi fish is believed to swim back up stream against the current and therefore is believed to be a very strong animal. This has lead to a symbolic connection between the fish and strength. So Koi fish make a wonderful tattoo that can easily represent good luck, strength and power. They are typically depicted with water splashing behind them and twisting or jumping out of the water making for a very dynamic and beautifully color tattoo design.

Cherry Blossoms Tattoo Designs

Another very common and yet beautiful tattoo theme are cherry blossoms. These are beautiful flowers that mark the beginning of a new year for the Japanese. The cherry blossom has played a very important and symbolic role for the Japanese psyche. The samurai found a very close connection religiously to the cherry blossom tattoo because it represented the transiency of life. Life was beautiful, quick and fleeting. Therefore they felt that you must live every day to the fullest and without regrets. This has lead to a wonderfully symbolically charged tattoo that is sort of the Japanese equivalent of the Latin phrase Carpe Diem.

The Floating World Wood Blocks

The Floating World refers back to a period during Japanese history when prostitution was legalized in certain areas or districts of modern day Tokyo. This red-light district was called the Yoshiwara and housed brothels, tea houses and play houses. This was were the middle class spent much of their time in the evenings being entertained. This lead many woodblock artists to create a phenomenally beautiful body of artwork depicting life in this area. These are known as Ukiyo-e wood block prints. They typically depicting Samurai and Geisha and the Yoshiwara district. Some of the most famous and common art work from Japan falls into this category. Since many of the wood block artists started also doing tattoos during the Edo period many much of the Ukiyo-e subjects and styles have become part of the Japanese tattoo styles. These designs have been carried through into modern times and are among some of the most popular tattoo designs today.
Japanese tattoos are no longer the sole domain of Japanese yakuza gangsters there are now many Westerners who enjoy and celebrate the beautiful art of this time period.