Reviewed and Updated: October 19, 2022 by Jamie Wilson BA
Are you a fan of ancient Japanese culture? If yes, then you must check out these amazing designs and unique traditional Japanese tattoo rules mentioned below.
Japanese tattooing dates back to the ancient Yayoi period.
Traditional Japanese tattoos are known for their easily recognizable quality. Before getting a traditional Japanese tattoo, you need to learn a little bit about the rules and the different designs available.
The traditional Japanese tattoo style involves using lots of bright colors like red, yellow, orange and pink to give your tattoo design that vibrant look. Furthermore, you will hardly find any minimalist Japanese traditional tattoo as they are usually quite large and filled with rich details. So if you’re considering getting a Japanese tattoo inked on your body, make sure you choose a region that has adequate space for the design to flourish properly. Some of the most common placements can be shoulder, chest, and back. Here are some of the best Japanese tattoo designs mentioned in the list below.
Japanese cherry blossom tattoos
The cherry blossoms are one of the most popular symbols of ancient Japan. They are believed to represent the short and colorful life of the samurai. Here is such an exquisite design of a huge cherry blossom tattoo design that takes up almost the entire arm of this person. The artist used some brilliant strokes of bright colors like orange, pink, yellow and red to create this overall look. As can be well seen in the picture, these types of tattoo designs are suitable for both men and women. So if you’re looking for similar ideas, be sure to use these.
An interesting fact about Japanese tattooing is that unlike the modern day tattoo artists who use various machines and devices to create body art, traditional Japanese tattoos are actually done by hand. This unique technique is known as “Tebori”.
Traditional Japanese dragon tattoo
Here is another fine example of traditional Japanese tattoo art featuring the great mythical beast, the almighty dragon. As we can see, the tattoo artist designed this whole look using a bright shade of green and red. An interesting fact about dragon tattoo designs is that the color you choose for your art can significantly affect the overall meaning of your design. For example, black dragons are usually known to represent wisdom and experience, while green dragons are associated with nature. You can choose your color according to the message you want to convey through your body art.
Japanese style tiger tattoo
The image mentioned above contains a stunning design of a tiger tattoo drawn in the traditional Japanese style. One of the most important Japanese traditional tattoo rules is that you must always choose a theme that is relevant to Japanese culture. The same was highlighted by this image. The tiger is considered the protector of mankind from evil spirits and bad omens. In addition, the tiger is also a symbol of strength, power and courage. In this image, the artist used mainly black ink and some shading to create this stunning roaring tiger look. It looks incredible and sends a strong message about the personality of the wearer. If you like it when your designs create that kind of meaning, then you should consider using this one for your next tattoo.
Peony traditional japanese tattoo
The peony is another very popular symbol of Japanese culture. It is the true epitome of happiness, beauty and wealth. In this image we see an elegant design of a peony tattoo etched on the person’s arm. As mentioned, traditional Japanese tattoos tend to be quite large. So make sure you choose a body part that will provide a larger canvas for your design. In addition, you must keep in mind that not all tattoo artists have experience in traditional Japanese tattooing. So choose your artist accordingly to avoid mistakes. While designing this tattoo, the artist mainly used a mixture of different bright colors like red, pink and green to create this masterpiece. You can see how nicely he has mixed all the different colors which makes the tattoo look more vibrant.
Women usually prefer floral tattoo designs over men. However, there is absolutely no reason why a man cannot be inked with these types of designs. You can change the shape and size of your tattoo design as you like.
Traditional Japanese cat tattoo
Needless to say, the cat is one of the most mysterious creatures in the world. You never know what’s going on in that tiny little head. They can be extremely cute one moment and vicious the next. Still, you just can’t help but fall in love with this cute little furball. In this image we can see a beautiful tattoo design of this lively animal drawn in traditional Japanese style and placed on the individual’s arm. The cat’s snarling face combined with its slinky posture brings out the true nature of this animal. In addition, you can also see that the artist created several unique patterns on the cat’s body using a mixture of black and white ink. This design is certainly unique. If you like these unique tattoo designs, what are you waiting for? Book an appointment at your nearest tattoo parlor and get this design inked.
Traditional Japanese snake tattoo
Have you ever wondered what a sake tattoo represents? Well, the snake is one of the most versatile of all designs and can have different meanings in different cultures. While some associate the snake with fertility and rebirth, others believe the snake represents courage and strength.
In this image we see a beautiful design of a snake tattoo that extends from the arm to the shoulder of the individual. The artist created this whole look using a fusion of different colors like blue, yellow, red and purple. It may seem very simple at first; However, snake tattoos are one of the most difficult designs to create. If you decide to go with a traditional style like this, you need to make sure you choose a professional with proper experience in their field.
The Great Wave Classic Tattoos
In the tattoo world, wave tattoos are one of the most popular designs. They are preferred by both men and women not only for their exquisite design but also for all the deep meanings they create. It is the perfect symbol of life and strength, emphasizing the strong yet gentle side of human nature. The image mentioned above contains such a beautiful example of a wave tattoo design etched on the person’s arm. The artist used mostly black ink and combined it with shading to create this unique look. However, if you wish, you can also add different colors to your wave tattoo to give it a more vibrant look. Some of the most suitable colors could be blue, gray and white.
Traditional Japanese skull tattoo
Before we get into the design of this unique tattoo, let’s understand a few facts about what exactly a skull tattoo represents. The common misconception about skull tattoos is that they denote negative emotions. However, this is not true as skull tattoos can have both positive and negative connotations. While some believe the skull represents death and decay, others see it as a symbol of consciousness and rebirth.
In this image we see a beautiful example of a skull tattoo design drawn on the individual’s body in the traditional Japanese style. One of the great things about skull tattoos is that you can incorporate different elements into your design. As with this one, the wearer has opted for the design of cherry blossoms. At the same time, you can also opt for other elements like animals or quotes for your skull tattoo.
Japanese koi fish tattoo
Here is another beautiful design of a koi fish tattoo etched on the leg of the individual. One of the unique symbols of Japanese culture, the koi fish represents perseverance, love and friendship. In this design, the artist used a light shade of green to create the body of the fish. Other colors that go well with this design are yellow, orange, gold and blue for your koi fish tattoo.
Hannya mask tattoo
The Hannya mask is another popular symbol in Japanese culture. The word “Hannya” comes from Japanese and means wisdom. The Hannya mask is considered a symbol of luck and the protector of mankind. Here is a similar example of a beautiful Hannya mask tattoo etched on the person’s arm.
Traditional Japanese tattoos represent the rich culture of ancient Japan. They have their own meaning and can be styled in different shapes and designs. With that in mind, let’s take a look at a few other examples of traditional Japanese tattoo designs.
- Traditional Japanese gold dragon tattoo
- Japanese fu dog tattoo
- Traditional Japanese Mythical Animal Tattoo
- Yakuza Tattoo
- Japanese lion tattoo
Featured image by Pinterest – Do you love this design? Try a Washable tattoo