Japanese leg tattoos for men. Japanese style tattoo

FURFUR continues to tell its readers about the current state of affairs in tattoo culture. This time we will talk about one of the most ancient traditions - the Japanese tattoo.

What's going on now

A story about a Japanese tattoo would be incomplete without a story about how this tattoo is treated in Japan. The fact is that Japan is one of the few countries in which tattooing is still taboo today. The reasons for this, in general, are clear: for a long time, the tattoo was strongly associated with the Japanese mafia and, unfortunately, continues to be considered a symbol of the mafia, at least by the authorities.

Most gyms and swimming pools won't let people in even with tiny tattoos on the inside of their forearms, and larger tattoos that are visible on their arms and legs can even be asked to leave a bar or store. One of the latest sensational stories was the campaign of the mayor of Osaka, Toru Hashimoto, who, under the threat of dismissal, forced all civil servants in the city to report on their tattoos: where they are and what they represent.

It is difficult to say whether the situation will change over time by itself. On the one hand, every year there are more and more people covered with tattoos, on the other hand, tattooed Japanese continue to hide their tattoos. Tattoo artist John Mack says most Japanese people think their neighbors don't have tattoos, but the truth is they just don't show them.

John came to Japan to get a tattoo with Horioshi and liked to have a drink in the local pub in the evening. When it came to tattoos, he boasted about his work from Horioshi - and every time he was asked to show this work. If the situation was right, John would take off his T-shirt, and sometimes the amazing thing happened: after him, the rest of the pub visitors, both men and women, took off their T-shirts. And it turned out that they were all tattooed.

Japanese tattoo masters

Rumor has it that in the past, Horioshi was a real gangster. Horyoshi III has been tattooing for over 40 years, and at one time he studied in accordance with all traditions with the master Horyoshi II. It is no longer possible to sign up with him - he does not start new tattoos, he only completes the old ones.

At 65, he remains one of the best specialists in "costumes" and one of the central figures of the direction, which influenced the entire culture. At this moment, he is the author of 11 books and the founder of the tattoo museum in the port of Yokohama.

One of the best young Japanese tattoo artists. Shige is known for his own style. Of course, he draws on the Japanese tradition, but he gives it his own interpretation, mixing in Western influences - these are the works of Paul Rogers, Ed Hardy and Jerry the sailor.

In tattooing, Shige remained self-taught for a long time, until on one of his travels he met Philip Liu, from whom he decided to make a suit for himself. Despite outright neo-traditionalism, Shige's work is highly appreciated by Horioshi himself, who even agreed to write an introduction to his book and noted in it that Shige's work goes beyond traditional tattooing and has already become art.

Another modern Japanese tattoo artist who is attentive to traditions, but at the same time has his own handwriting and a very unusual style. And, although Miyazo received classical training from master Horitsune II from Osaka, he is quite progressive - for example, he began using a typewriter ten years ago.

Miyazo is one of the most influential Japanese tattoo artists of today, having influenced Chris Brand and Drew Flors, for example. The importance of Miyazo is evidenced by the fact that, together with Shige, he will represent Japan in the Gipsy Gentleman documentary series dedicated to the world of tattoos.

New York tattoo artist to sign up for a year in advance. Mike is famous for his respect for Japanese style and for making tattoos for tattoo artists. And once he even tattooed a corpse (Mike did not specify the details of this event). He began to work with realism and oriental, including Tibetan and Chinese, and came to the traditional Japanese style. Mike is also a notable moralizer: in all his interviews, he advises tattoo artists who are associated with the Oriental to read more books and do everything according to the rules.

A third-generation artist, Philip Liu loves the Japanese style and has a rare freedom of thought. So, he believes that the use of a particular style should not make a tattoo artist a conformist.

Philip has been tattooing since he was a child. His father was born in Japan and together with his wife (and later children) traveled for almost 30 years around the world - India, Africa, Polynesia, America, to learn national tattoo styles. Philippe is famous for his interpretation of the costume Japanese tattoo - he took it to another level, and it's hard to imagine what neo-traditionalism would be like without him.

It is proven that Japanese-style tattoos originated thousands of years ago, but during this time they have not squandered their popularity. In addition, such tattoos were considered especially influential, they were worn by high-ranking people such as the King of Denmark, Frederick IX and, according to unofficial data, Nicholas II.

By the way, there is currently an unwritten ban on tattoos in Japan. At least the authorities don't accept tattoos as art. It's all about stereotypes, according to which a person with a tattoo is considered a member of the mafia, doing dirty business.

Japan is a country with unusual traditions and symbols, completely different from what we are used to. The local culture fascinates us, which is why, by painting our body in this style, we try to partially touch its mysteries.

The Japanese style cannot be overlooked, just one look at the stunning sketches is mesmerizing. The most popular tattoos are the Japanese dragon, painted with bright colors. According to legend, the tattoo of a mythological creature is able to protect a person from fire. Often in this style you can see unusual combinations that combine the aggressiveness of animals and the serenity of colors in the pattern. This shows a person that everything in the world must be balanced.

The image of sakura on the body is also very symbolic. This gives an understanding that life is short, like a blossoming and suddenly falling sakura flower.

Masters of Japanese tattoo are real experts in their field. Before picking up a needle, you need to study every detail of the sketch, delve into the bottomless history of this culture.

The culture and traditions of Japan have always been of great interest. This is due to a history full of bright events, picturesque and special nature, colorful and living legends. Japan itself forms a special, unlike anyone else, style in everything from traditional cuisine to wardrobe features. One of the areas that are popular all over the world today are Japanese tattoos.

A bit of history

In the first known memoir of Japan, a Chinese manuscript dating from the 3rd century, there is a description of a Japanese tattoo. In the description, the author described his surprise at the painting by the Japanese of his face and body with special drawings. This carried a kind of ritual protection to warriors, fishermen, hunters. In subsequent times, the tattoo on the face and body completely reflected the person's belonging to one or another class.

The first tattoos in Japan were not made with needles, but with plant thorns. In the very first printed book, two types of tattoos were described: to determine social status and the stigma of a criminal. Traitors were branded on the forehead with a hieroglyph meaning "dog", after applying which a person became an absolute outcast. By the end of the 17th century, Japanese tattoos became a favorite way of decorating the body of priests, lovers and geishas. The art of tattooing has firmly entered the daily life of the Japanese. With just a glance, this or that symbol determined the status of a person, a way of earning a living, and even an expression of feelings for this or that person.

Later, the samurai, without realizing it, introduced the fashion of arm tattoos from the shoulders to the very palms. The fact is that the clothes of the warriors were sleeveless, and tattoos were made instead of them, which symbolized heroism, exploits, the fight against evil. Today, Japanese exoticism and tattoo art are extremely popular all over the world.

Features of Japanese tattoo

Unlike or Polynesian patterns, Japanese tattoos have their own characteristic differences:

• Variety of tint palette.
• A clear accent and bright colors of the leading tattoo motifs.
• Figure and the use of a clear contour.
• Expressiveness (drawing a picture in such a way that it comes into motion with muscle contraction.)
• The division of the leading motif and the geometry of the drawings of the second plan.
• Use of red and black. These colors are capital in almost any Japanese tattoo motif.

Japanese tattoos are a kind of visiting card, a reflection of national legends, beliefs, traditions and culture.

Their advantage is that they are not monotonous. Among the many motifs, everyone can choose any pattern for themselves: a battle with a dragon, samurai fights, floral motifs and much more. The professionalism of the master, the fantasies and skill of the artist turn Japanese tattoos into a real underwear masterpiece.

Tattoo classification

Before applying this or that drawing to your body, you need to prepare sketches and remember that each motif has its own explanation and meaning. Japanese tattoos are unusually colorful, artistic and necessarily carry a semantic load. When creating a large-scale picture on the body, not a single part of the body remains without a pattern. The voids of the picture must be filled with symbols, ornaments, inscriptions. This design gives completeness and a certain mysticism to the whole composition.

Traditional tattoos are as follows:

Men's tattoos

Sketches with Japanese characters are especially popular among European tattoo artists. Japanese characters are difficult to translate. Most often, no one, except the carrier himself, understands the true meaning.

That is why, before applying this or that Japanese character, one must not proceed from the beauty factor. It is necessary to make sure of its meaning, as well as to have strong confidence in the experience of the master. Drawings depicting a dragon are very popular among Europeans and among the Japanese themselves. The dragon is a symbol of strength, nobility and fidelity. Such sketches are most popular among young people, as tattoos are bright and catchy. Most often, dragon tattoos are performed using the traditional nukibori technique, where the drawing is necessarily accentuated with a contour without shadows and transitions.

The next popular Japanese tattoo motif, oddly enough, is the tiger. As you know, tigers are not found in Japan, but this does not interfere with their popularity in tattoos. Such a tattoo represents strength, courage and power.

For the Japanese, the theme of the sea is always relevant, so one of the constant participants included in Japanese tattoo sketches is the carp. In the East, carp is the personification of masculinity and stamina.

When applying true Japanese tattoos, you should avoid any motifs with snakes. This is negative. Truly male tattoos may include ornamental elements, images of deities and heroes of legends or Japanese fairy tales. But invariably they are applied to emphasize strength, determination and power.

Women's tattoos

In Japan, women, along with men, adorned themselves with tattoos. Thus, they emphasized beauty, fragility, femininity and humility. Favorite sketches of Japanese-style female tattoos are all kinds of floral motifs. For example, a peony symbolizes beauty and good luck in all endeavors, a lotus symbolizes mystery, spiritual wealth and purity.
At the same time, the subject matter differs from traditional Japanese tattoos.

Sakura is one of the most popular motifs. It has long symbolized the value of every moment in life and carried a certain philosophy. Applying the sakura motif, a woman can emphasize not only fragility, but also life wisdom. Even today, girls put entire Japanese gardens on their bodies, emphasizing their originality, charisma and beauty.

In addition to floral ornaments, there are a lot of sketches depicting dragons, mythical heroes of fairy tales and legends. Unlike men, tattoos for women are more elegant and filigree. For lovers, the application of the hieroglyph "inochi" is still popular today - symbolizing fate, eternal love and devotion.

The Japanese style in tattoo art is an inexhaustible source of ideas for creating real masterpieces. When choosing a motif for a tattoo that reflects the traditional Japanese style, one should be guided by more than just a beautiful image. Properly chosen and skillfully applied, it can tell a lot about a person, his aspirations and character traits without words.

History of Japanese tattoo

Attitude towards tattoos in modern Japan

Japanese tattoos and their meaning are mysterious, just like the culture of the East. How much beauty and symbolism in these works! And how harmoniously they look on the skin of their owners. Famous stories from mythology are embodied in vivid scenes on the skin. For example, this is a Japanese dragon - a symbol of wisdom, creation, power and harmony in one being. Also koi carp tattoos. They mean striving for your goal, overcoming difficulties. Therefore, they are often depicted as floating in a turbulent stream.
Other popular tattoo motifs are samurai, Japanese dragon, demon masks, sakura, tigers. Do the hieroglyphs so beloved by many belong to the Japanese style? Yes and no! Of course, in Japan they are used for writing, but the irezumi tradition does not use writing. She prefers bright large-scale drawings. These are beautiful and incredibly detailed sketches for the back, sleeves, and even entire "suits" of tattoos. Once they were made only by men, and mostly yakuza - representatives of criminal structures. But today, anyone can afford a tattoo in the form of a carp, dragon, tiger. They are made by both men and women who are passionate about the culture of this unique country.

Japanese tattoos for girls

Sketches of flowers in the Japanese theme are truly unique! The king of all flowers is the peony (botan), which is also called a rose without thorns. It symbolizes wealth, good luck. Chrysanthemum does not lag behind him - a sunny flower, meaning perfection, longevity, joy. And, of course, tattoos for girls are not complete without sakura - the symbol of the Land of the Rising Sun. Her beauty is amazing, but short-lived, so sakura symbolizes youth, love and time itself, which is so fast.

Japanese tattoos for men

Tattoos are widespread throughout the world, including the Japanese islands. Here, with the help of wearable drawings, men convey their spirituality, principles and values ​​in life, position in society and social status. But most often, Japanese tattoos for men are associated with the mafia.

Initially, in Japan, tattoos were applied to criminals as a punishment, so today many such sketches are distributed around the world among prisoners. In addition, Eastern culture is distinguished by its spirituality and wisdom, hence the demand for Japanese tattoos. The best sketches, tips for choosing and applying to the body, styles and mono colors can be found in the article below.

Japanese-style tattoos are a whole independent trend in tattoo culture, which has preserved its traditions and canons to this day. Each individual sketch, symbol, character and even pattern carries a certain meaning and sacred meaning. In 2018-2019, the following sketches were popular:

Turtle- a symbol of wisdom, deep knowledge, as well as the presence of supernatural abilities, the ability to predict the future.

The Dragon- the tattoo represents the energy of the sun and fire, good luck and longevity. In Japan, dragons were drawn with three fingers on their limbs, the mythical character acted as a sacred guardian spirit.

Snake- The Japanese believed that snakes had supernatural powers, protected from troubles and misfortunes. A tattoo with a snake coiled around a hammer was considered a talisman for good luck and success.

Tiger- tattoo speak of the nobility, honor, courage and masculinity of the owner. Also in Eastern culture, it was said that tigers drive away evil spirits from a person.

Chania mask- a drawing of an ancient spirit into which a jealous girl has turned. The tattoo reminds of what negative emotions and feelings can lead to, and also personifies wisdom and intelligence.

Carp- a tattoo that means courage, stamina and endurance of a male character.

Peony- in Eastern culture it is a sign of masculinity, as well as a symbol of prosperity and financial well-being.

Sakura- a symbol of humility and understanding of the transience of life, since the plant blooms for only a couple of days

Magnolia- a beautiful flower, personifying the steadfastness and fortitude in a man, a firm position in life.

Lotus- a symbol of spiritual purity, goodness, eternity of the human soul.

Yakuza- a symbol of a gangster group and the mafia, personifying fearlessness, courage and adventurism.

Samurai- the warrior personifies selfless devotion, moral and physical perfection, love of freedom, reverence for canons, laws and traditions.

Nature, landscapes, waves- such a background for a Japanese tattoo means balance, calmness, harmony and peace of mind.

Hieroglyphs- writing, which carries a clear and direct meaning, depending on the written words.

Kintaro- a character from Japanese folklore, representing the unity of the local deity of fertility and the real historical figure of the child. The tattoo usually depicts a naked child with red skin fighting a carp. The meaning of the tattoo is luck, courage and courage.

Maple leaves- Kintaro in a fight with a powerful carp, but dressed and older, armed with a dagger. The maple leaf symbolizes the autumn season in the tattoo, the love of a man and the stamina of his character.

ninja rat- in Eastern culture, the rat is compared with the deity of wealth (namely, with one of the seven gods of luck). Tattoo means fertility, harvest, prosperity and nepotism, and ninja, because he has the art of disguise and sabotage.

Phoenix- an eternal creature from mythology, reborn from the ashes. It means eternal love, the absence of fear of death, the hope for rebirth and renewal of the soul.

For reference! In Japanese culture today, the tattoo is associated with the mafia. The authorities of different cities often have a negative attitude towards tattoos among the Japanese, and people with tattoos on their bodies fall under their disfavor. For this reason, the Japanese hide tattoos with clothes and choose secluded places on the body.

What places do men often apply tattoos with a Japanese theme

Only by choosing the desired sketch for a tattoo, and understanding its meaning, a man can consider which area of ​​the body can be tattooed. The Japanese style accepts large and spectacular drawings, which means that they most often choose spacious areas - arms, legs, back, chest.

Shoulder

On the shoulders of a man, you can visually assess his strength and reliability, so here you can place a medium-sized tattoo with animals or warriors, expressing strength and courage.

Forearm

There will be more space on the forearm, so here you can apply a whole composition from different sketches. But most often, yakuza tattoos are beaten here, as well as samurai and wild animals. The tattoo is demonstrative in nature, showing the environment the qualities and principles of the owner.

Wrist tattoo

It is difficult to place a large tattoo with the above sketch options on the wrist. As a rule, it can be the muzzle of a dragon, a tiger, a snake coiled into a ball, carps. Plant elements are also appropriate in a simple and concise design.

Tattoos on the palm, on the hand and fingers

On the hand, palm or fingers, only one version of the tattoo is appropriate - Japanese hieroglyphs, which carry a certain meaning and a clear subtext. Alternatively, a miniature dragon, snake or turtle in the style of minimalism or graphics will look original on the hand.

Tattoo sleeve

The sleeve is the best idea for a Japanese tattoo style. Here you can go beyond the size and scale of the tattoo, combine several animals, characters, and patterns at once. This is a whole artistic composition, covering the entire hand, and also providing for a demonstrative character.

Neck

It is rather difficult to draw a dragon or a samurai on the neck, since the space is extremely limited. Inscriptions in Japanese are usually beaten here, or only parts of animals are depicted - a paw, a footprint, a muzzle. Only tattoos with a deep sacred meaning will be appropriate.

Breast

It is customary to beat tattoos on the chest that protect against failures and dangers. Therefore, here you can apply a drawing of a dragon, a dragon and a tiger, other characters, supplementing the picture with plant elements, inscriptions.

Side

A large and spectacular drawing will fit on the side, but you need to choose tattoos of a non-trivial personal nature. For example, animals that I would like to imitate, warriors to cultivate wisdom and courage in themselves, and much more.

Hip

On the thigh, men rarely get tattoos, as their meaning will relate to the personal and intimate component of life. As an option, here you can apply a picture of carps, as a symbol of masculinity, a peony, as a sign of masculinity, a wild beast, as the personification of passion and a fiery temper.

Back

On the back, you can place the largest and most complex sketch, for example, a combination of animals symbolizing different energies, drawings of flowers and trees, a Japanese samurai. The drawing on the back is always a spectacular, bright and rich option.

shoulder blade

Between the shoulder blades is an energy center responsible for the ego of a man. Therefore, it is customary to get tattoos here that bring wisdom, humility, tolerance, balance to life. A vivid example of this is a turtle or plant sketches.

Leg

Any animal in the Japanese style will look original on the leg - a dragon, a tiger or a snake. Often drawings of warriors are applied here, and the composition is supplemented with plant elements. The meaning of the tattoo should motivate a man to do the right thing and move forward.

Remember that Japanese-style tattoos are always bright, large and complex sketches that require long application, high-quality paints and high pay. To choose a tattoo, decide on a few points:

• the purpose and task of the tattoo- what exactly do you expect from a tattoo, what changes in life and in yourself do you want;
• sketch- make your own drawing, other people's ideas can only be a source of inspiration;
• location- if it is a demonstrative tattoo, it can be placed in a conspicuous place, if it is of a personal nature, it must be hidden in a secluded place;
• style and colors- designate for yourself which style of execution is closer to the meaning of the tattoo and your tastes, and also decide whether it will be a color or black and white tattoo;
• additional characters- the scale and cohesion of the sketch is possible due to the filling of empty gaps with floral elements or ornaments, the choice is up to you.

  How to choose a sketch of a tattoo in relation to a place on the body?

  There are several important tips on which you can predetermine the place on the body and the sketch of the tattoo that suits it. Namely:

  • tattoos with a deep sacred meaning are placed on areas close to the head;
  • in areas hidden from the gaze of the environment, personal non-trivial tattoo options are performed;
  • on large areas of the body (back, chest, shoulders, sides, arms and legs), large-scale and complex tattoo compositions are appropriate;
  • small and concise sketches are suitable for small areas of the body (hands, wrists, fingers, neck, shoulder blades);
  • talismans, amulets, magic symbols are forbidden to be applied to the lower part of the body.

  Remember that the emotional and sacred meaning of a tattoo must match the character, image, lifestyle and interests of the owner.

  Do you like Japanese style in tattoos?

  YesNo

  Styles and colors of Japanese tattoos

  The main and distinctive rule for the performance of Japanese tattoos is the asymmetry of the elements in the composition. The master must complete the outline of the drawing with smooth and thinnest lines, enhancing the brightness and saturation of colors from the center to the edges. Japanese sketches are most often performed in several styles:

  trash polka- the use of contrasting colors, some aggression in the execution of the picture;

  

  realism– the most realistic execution of the drawing;

  

  watercolor- positive and color drawing without contour and borders;

  

  minimalism- concise execution of a tattoo for a small area on the body;

  

  black work- use only black and white colors.

  

  The master pays special attention to the color scheme of the Japanese sketch, preferring the use of saturated colors - red, blue, green, yellow, etc.

  Symbols that can be combined with a Japanese tattoo

  What symbols and additional elements to decorate a tattoo, the man himself decides, starting from the meaning of the tattoo. Most often, the following are attached to the Japanese theme:

  nature- mountains, rivers, moon, sun;

  

  vegetable elements- flowers, sakura, trees;

  

  wild animals- tiger, snake, turtle, dragon;

  

  hieroglyphs- inscriptions or numbers in Japanese;

  

  Chania mask- a frightening and magical element.

  

  When choosing additional elements, a man must understand what exactly he wants to focus on, what mood to bring into the overall composition of the tattoo. For men, masters are often recommended to supplement the sketch with animals, fantastic characters from Japanese culture and mythology, inscriptions and flowers.

  Where is the best place to get a tattoo?

  You need to get a tattoo done in a reliable tattoo parlor, where experienced and qualified tattoo artists work. Most modern institutions and professionals have personal websites and social media accounts on the Internet. There you can see catalogs of work done and reviews from previous clients.

  Conclusion

  The traditions and heroes of Japanese culture have always been interesting and relevant among Europeans. Almost every good master can find Japanese tattoos with animals, mythical characters, plants, as well as samurai warriors in the catalog of works. The sketch of the desired tattoo must be selected taking into account the place on the body, the style of execution, the sacred meaning and character of the owner.