Traditional Japanese Tattoos
Japanese tattoos are highly popular, but do you know the meaning and historical significance behind them? Learn more about your favorite designs below! Our talented artists are masters at creating intricate designs that you will treasure forever, so call us at (619) 9979193 to schedule your free consultation
Tengu Tattoos
Floral Designs | Detailed Insects | Intricate Landscapes
Cherry Blossoms
The cherry blossom is an ancient symbol that has been around for centuries. Known in Japan as the Sakura, the cherry blossom has been used for various purposes, including tattoos. Cherry blossoms have been a symbol of life, death, and rebirth for centuries in Japan.
The cherry blossom is a symbol of the transient nature of life. It reminds us to live and love in the present moment, for we will be gone one day. Cherry blossoms are also a symbol of the certainty of death, reminding us to live a life that is both full of life and full of death. Since cherry blossoms are the first flower of the season, they remind us that life is about renewal.
Lotus Flowers
To the Japanese, the lotus represents the self-renewing nature of the human spirit, love and healing, and self-control. In many Japanese tattoo designs, the lotus flower is filled with other flower symbols as well. Usually, one or two different types of flowers are connected to the lotus, including roses and dahlias.
Though the root of the lotus can symbolize a lotus flower that is very heavy and cannot be moved, it also symbolizes the resilient nature of Buddhist monks. The lotus flower represents their dedication to purity and strength.
Chrysanthemums
When used in body art, chrysanthemums evoke the feminine. For example, these flowers are often included in tattoos of traditional Japanese origin, where they are often translated as “widow” or “empress” in English, representing strength, vigor, and grace.
They are also used as the symbol of one of the most important ceremonies of the Japanese tea ceremony, which is called Otokonoko, the “opening of the blossoming” in English, and represents the beauty of nature and the feminine strength.
Camellias
Camellias are traditionally associated with midwives because of their ability to bloom just after they deliver a baby. The red camellia symbolized a noble death among warriors and samurai, but they also became a symbol of love
Peonies
Japan is a country known for its constant attention to detail when it comes to art and design. The Japanese character for “peony” easily illustrates this fascination with intricately detailed patterns.
The character for peonies has been around for over 800 years. It’s especially beloved in China as a symbol of the Buddha’s garden
Momiji
Momiji – literally 'Mom's plum' in Japanese – is one of the most versatile and typical Japanese tattoos used in traditional tattoo designs. Just as the name suggests, they are tiny round objects with beautiful color variations. Momiji (a.k.a. Momijime) is a period that is the beginning of spring, marking the start of the new growing season.
Momiji is one of the most popular and well-liked Japanese tattoo designs. While there are different Momiji tattoo designs, almost all of them share the important common feature of using the Momiji flower as the pattern
Satsumon Tattoos
Animals | Mythical Creatures | Swirling Designs | Cute Images
Dragons
A Japanese dragon tattoo often represents wisdom, strength, a force for good, wind, water, and wisdom. Dragons in the West traditionally symbolize strength, ferocity, and wealth. They are destructive forces but are also considered guardians.
The dragon is a class symbol for the fiscal family in Japan, symbolizing honor, bravery, and loyalty. From tattoos created for the warriors to the dragon tattoos, they are all fascinating, unique, and of course, detailed!
Koi Fish
According to most tattoo artists, koi fish represent strength, prosperity, determination, independence, perseverance, and good luck, among other things. These beliefs are based on the tremendous reverence and respect that the Japanese people have for the humble koi fish.
There are three different koi fish tattoo styles: normal, lily, and cloud. The normal style features a standard koi fish. A lily style has an individual koi fish with flowers surrounding it. Finally, a cloud-style koi fish tattoo includes small sections of the body with a dark, cloud-like shape in the background.
Phoenix
The traditional Japanese phoenix tattoo is a beautiful, delicate design that is best achieved with a lot of skill and patience.
Phoenixes are known as a symbol of rebirth and resurrection. Today, they are a symbol of courage, power, and glory. Some cultures believe that the phoenix is immortal and lives forever, so a phoenix tattoo reminds you that you cannot escape your past
Tiger
Japanese tiger tattoos symbolized strength, power, wisdom, courage, and endurance. A tiger symbolizes strength to withstand any situation, and the traditional Japanese tiger tattoo originates from the great warrior clans of Japan. These clans established themselves by marrying into the families of tiger hunters and warriors.
People from Japan believe that tigers are a good luck charm. It is a popular symbol that represents Japan, so when you're tattooing a traditional Japanese tiger tattoo, you should incorporate some symbolism into your tattoo design.
Japanese Mask Tattoos
Hannya Masks
There are several different kinds of Hannya masks, and they all can mean completely different things. What is even more confusing is that the Hannya mask is not just a traditional Japanese tattoo design. It is also used in many different cultures. The word “hannya” means “impersonator.”
Hannya masks have had a profound religious significance to the Japanese people for about 1,400 years, so they are extremely popular today and tattooed often
Daiokokuakeru
Daiokokuakeru means “holy mountain,” and it is a traditional Japanese tattoo associated with religious followers who seek holy places to be in tune with the spirits of the dead. This design can be traced back to the hara-kiri practices of Japan's early history, and it depicts the spirit of an already dead samurai as a demon on the back of one’s hand.
Some people may find this tattoo extremely difficult to complete; it is a traditional Japanese tattoo that must be completed at least a little differently than most. However, our expert tattoo artists will give you impeccable work so you can be proud of your Daiokokuakeru tattoo.
Baku
A Baku mask is a headband frequently worn in ancient Azerbaijan, like a traditional Persian headdress. The Baku masks were worn in two ways: a right-handed mask was attached to the headband by a leather cord, and a left-handed mask was hung at the side of the wearer's neck.
Tattoo artists will tattoo your Baku mask on your wrist in traditional Baku style. With this design, you can have your tattoo of Baku forever hanging from your wrist.
Okame
Okame is an ancient Japanese religious headdress that used to be worn by Buddhist monks. The Naka of Japan refers to these headdresses as “Kyushu kamui.” When tattooing Okame masks, your artist will tattoo around the entire outer face, excluding the eyes.
Okina, Koro, And Kabuki
Okina is a plain Japanese wooden mask used as a decorative mask, seen mostly in Tori carvers. Koro (or Koro-in) is a Buddhist relic or offering, a wooden figurine usually representing a Buddha. Often portrayed with a male form of Buddha, they appear in the same shape as the original wooden statue for their safety.
Japanese masked theatre—known as Kabuki in the west—is a part of Japanese culture, originating in 19th century Japan. The performers in the theatre, which derives from Bakugan and jujutsu, literally live and breathe for their performances. In Kabuki, the performers create masks, each representing a character. The masks are worn only during the performance and are not removed in the evenings
Kyottoko-Begeru
This traditional tattoo of Chinese tradition originated from the Sumerian horned demon named "Kyotsu-Begeru. " In the Asian culture, this demon is known as one of the Chinese border demons is as well as a representative animal spirit.
Since the age of the Sumerians, the culture has been transformed into modern Japanese, and now we can say that "Begeru" is a mythological creature. It is one of the top ten most requested custom tattoos. Kyottoko is very popular these days in Japan because it is a symbol of protection
More Traditional Japanese Tattoos
Samurai
The samurai - known as ronin - were famous fighters in feudal Japan. They also trained their young sons in combat, hoping that they would inherit their family's business one day. It is believed that the samurai only lost battles to dragons, a symbol of courage.
Samurai tattoos are a sign of the character of the warrior, a famous custom in Japan, and regarded as an important characteristic to show honor and respect.
Oni
Oni is described as a highly energetic, protective, mighty, and ferocious demon in Japanese culture. These mysterious beings were very powerful and very dangerous in some old legends. These monsters had hideous, eye-like facial features, and they were said to possess extraordinary powers.
The Oni tattoo is a traditional Japanese tattoo characterized by a circle or irregular figure with one or more eyes. The mouth represents the door to the house of food, and the circle may represent the circle of life or infinity.
Namakubi Tengu
A Namakubi is a totem from Japan that is known for its resemblance to goblins and jack-o-lanterns. The Namakubi was one of the first and most famous examples of this type of demon in Japan.
For years, Namakubi Tattoos were a joke in Japan, a secret tattooing realm a handful of brave artists risked jail time to enter. It's taken a long time for them to become mainstream, and we're all grateful that these awesome designs are finally getting some respect in the tattoo industry
Kitsune
A Kitsune is an ancient Japanese entity; it is a supernatural, shape-shifting creature. It traditionally accompanies the Japanese fairy tale fox, Mei-Kun. However, some cultures see Kitsune as having multiple levels of life. There is the living, the spirit world, and the dead.
Kitsune are symbols of wisdom, sincerity, and beauty. In general, they are considered benign, often good-natured and friendly, and are often friends or guardians of humans.
