Many people are considering whether to get a tattoo. There are many varieties of it. One of the most common is Japanese tattoo. What are its features? What does Japanese tattoo mean?
A bit of history
Japanese tattoo - where did it come from? The main motives of such tattoos are taken from legends and stories. The main characters of this painting are carps, dragons and warriors of antiquity. There are many assumptions about the origin of Japanese tattoos. Each of them has its own share of truth. One theory adheres to the version that this painting was borrowed from the Chinese, another - claims that tattoos were taken from the traditions of their Ainu neighbors. The third exists in the form of a legend which says that Sanoyataru, the queen, was struck by the tattoo of the ruler of Jimmu and captured her feelings with the help of a poem.
In Japanese history, there is a mention that ordinary thorns of plants were used as tattoo needles.
Features of Japanese tattoos
Japanese tattoo - what is its feature? You can highlight the characteristic features inherent only in the Japanese style. All drawings usually occupy a fairly large area of the body, most often applied in the form of a cloak or kimono. That is, almost the entire surface of the body was covered with a tattoo, and part of the abdomen, chest and head were intact.
As already mentioned above, stories originate in Japanese legends. Almost all Japanese tattoos contain a large palette of colors. All shades are saturated. There are sharp transitions from dark to very bright. Most often, black and red shades are used. Yellow and green are quite rare.
Most often, masters try to arrange an image with knowledge of anatomy. Thanks to this, the whole composition comes into motion if you move a certain part of the body. This method is popular among athletes or bodybuilders.
A characteristic feature by which one can easily distinguish the Japanese style is the filling of empty skin areas with ornaments or inscriptions. This gives depth to the whole composition, and sometimes a little mysticism appears.
In Japan, tattoo artists who engage in traditional activities prefer to use special bamboo sticks with needles rather than a typewriter. A set of many needles is called hari. It was observed. It turned out that about 80-150 hits by corners occur per minute. Masters apply a tattoo for weeks or even months.
It is worth mentioning that in Japanese tattoos, the marine theme is very common. Since ancient times, people admired the sea. This topic is especially relevant for the Japanese, given the fact that they live on the islands.
Japanese tattoo hieroglyphs
Japanese characters - tattoos with great popularity. This is due to the fact that usually no one except the carrier understands the meaning. An interesting fact is that only Europeans wear such designs. It is worth saying that translating Japanese tattoos with hieroglyphs is very difficult. But deciding to make such a drawing, it is worth considering. Japanese hieroglyphs are tattoos, which you need to approach very seriously. Before going to the salon, you should find out the exact meaning of the word or phrase and make sure the experience and competence of the tattoo artist.
Writing in Japan is formed using three systems: kanji, katakana and hirgana. On the Internet you can find many characters with a detailed description of the meanings. There are a huge number of them and they are all attractive in their own way.
Tattoo of Japanese carps and their meaning
Carp, which is called Koi in Japan, appeared in this country during the Middle Ages. This fish in the Land of the Rising Sun is considered the king of freshwater fish. In this regard, there is a huge number of tattoos dedicated to this topic. All drawings are vibrant and vibrant. Carp is considered a symbol of courage. This value follows from the legend of Koi, who was able to climb the waterfall to the Dragon Gate. The owner of a tattoo of Japanese carps is considered a purposeful and undaunted person, if, of course, he applied this drawing, fully comprehending the meaning. Such tattoos are popular both among the Japanese and among residents of other countries. Most often, not only one carp is applied, but a whole composition, which can be considered a work of art.
Japanese dragon tattoos
Both in China and Japan, a creature such as a dragon is very revered. This theme can be found anywhere. It can be everyday life, and work, and painting. The dragon is considered a symbol of fidelity, aspiration, nobility and strength. In ancient times, imperial robes were decorated with the image of this creature, which possessed great power and wisdom. Nowadays, the Nukibori style of tattoo is very popular. Japanese dragon - a tattoo that is most often welcomed by youth. The peculiarity is that the outline of the picture is a uniform color without transitions and shadows.
Current days
Japanese tattoos are now returning with increasing popularity. No matter how sad, but now there is a slight increase in crime in Japan. Among the Yakuza Mafia, the use of body painting is very common. So they express their belonging to a particular clan, and also each man shows his character traits. A characteristic feature is the fact that Japanese gangsters usually apply drawings from any gambling to the body. There are even “civilian” and “criminal” tattoos.
In conclusion, we can say that all Japanese tattoos and their significance attract the attention of so many people. They are very popular both among Asian representatives and among Europeans. Many people are attracted to oriental things. It is worth noting that most people, after a trip to Japan, try to bring in addition to souvenirs the original tattoo created by this master.