Japanese Ko'i Tattoo Design on Back Body tattoo

Fusion Japanese Tattoo

Japanese Tattoo Gallery with Tribal Male

Japanese Tattoo Gallery with Tribal Male (1)


Japanese Tattoo Gallery with Tribal Male (2)


Japanese Tattoo Gallery with Tribal Male (3)


Japanese Tattoo Gallery with Tribal Male (4)


Japanese Tattoo Gallery with Tribal Male (5)


Japanese Tattoo Gallery with Tribal Male (6)

Japanese Tattoo Gallery on Back Body Man

Japanese Tattoo Gallery on Back Body Man (1)


Japanese Tattoo Gallery on Back Body Man (2)


Japanese Tattoo Gallery on Back Body Man (3)


Japanese Tattoo Gallery on Back Body Man (4)


Japanese Tattoo Gallery on Back Body Man (5)

Japanese Tattoo Koi Fish

Japanese Tattoo Koi Fish (1)


Japanese Tattoo Koi Fish (2)


Japanese Tattoo Koi Fish (3)


Japanese Tattoo Koi Fish (4)


Japanese Tattoo Koi Fish (5)

Japanese Tattoo Sexy Body for Women

Japanese Tattoo Sexy Body for Women (1)


Japanese Tattoo Sexy Body for Women (2)


Japanese Tattoo Sexy Body for Women (3)
Japanese Tattoo Sexy Body for Women (4)


Japanese Tattoo Sexy Body for Women (5)

Tattoo News Review

Tons of tattoo stories topped the headlines, and I've trolled through them all to bring ya the good, bad and the whatthefuck.

N+S keeps our focus on stellar tattoo art, like this fresh work from Jondix in Spain (who's part of my upcoming Black Tattoo Art book); however, we will on occasion link to examples of the WTF if only to feel a sense of unbridled tattoo superiority. And so, behold COED Mag's What Were They Thinking gallery.

Many of the tattoos shown are featured the book No Regrets: The Best, Worst, & Most #$%*ing Ridiculous Tattoos Ever but there are some new gems like the Hasselhoff Ode and Chris Farley memorial tattoo. Looking at them, I feel better about myself already. And that is the power of tattoo. [Thanks, Father Panik, for the boobies COED tattoo link.]

UFC's Alan Belcher did not make the WTF list with his deformed Johnny Cash portrait tattoo.


As for the bad ...

I really don't know what's worse: Canada's CTA excessive use of "tramp stamp" in a removal story (and quoting a doc who says women can't get epidurals because of them -- not true) or starting off the article with reference to some shmuck who wanted a corkscrew tattoo removed from his penis. CTA did get the title right though -- Laser treatment is not quick fix. For stupid.

Then there's this going-to hell-bad: Texas Man Sought for Unpaid Bill for God Tattoo.

And the badass...

Burn Magazine's Eye of the Beholder story/photo by Anton Kusters who is documenting a Yakuza family in Kabukicho, Japan. One of our faves, Susanah Breslin, has been guest blogging for Boing Boing and included this powerful image in her collection of wondrous things.

This one is pretty wondrous to me ... "Man resurrects friend's ashes into tattoo." Granted, this isn't the first time I've heard stories like this but I always get goosebumps at the thought of actually wearing a loved one in my skin. I think it's a beautiful tribute but I wonder if anything else gets carried over in the ash. Just sayin.

In good news ...


Reuters reports that there are less Iraqis getting tattoos used to ID their bodies, and instead are opting for artful ink. In 2005 and 2006, I blogged, on Needled.com, stories of how many caught in the mission-accomplished zone were getting identifying information tattooed on various limbs in case they were mutilated. One Bagdad tattoo artist said that, while many young men today are coming in for motifs like dragons and tigers instead of their names and addresses, he still keeps a low profile "for fear of being attacked by extremists who see his work as being prohibited by Islam or too Westernized."

A couple seeking to open a tattoo studio in Tempe, Arizona who had their business permit revoked won the right to open up shop, again. The city had appealed a court ruling in favor of the couple but to no avail. When will cities learn to stop wasting money on these suits and allow studios to open, thereby bringing more money into city tax coffers?


In celeb tattoo news ...

The LA Times reports that High Voltage tattoo, featured on the reality show LA Ink, is now a top tourist destination along with Kim Kardashian's clothing stores and The Hill's hot spots. The article says, "The manager of High Voltage Tattoo estimates that 90% of its customers are fans of the TV show." So I guess that makes only 10% serious tattoo collectors?

I'm no hater, but I'm not lovin the show either, especially after reading in Inked Mag that top tattooists Hannah Aitchison and Kim Saigh won't be returning to the show because of their lack of drama. I prefer my artists drama-free, thanks, and if they have more time for yoga practice before opening up my skin, well, the better. [Although a faux Aitchison/Saigh lesbian relationship would've been a hot episode.]

The new season will get plenty of drama with the addition of Rock of Love hot mess Aubry Fisher.

By the way Kim's new Vans are out. Nice.

Also check Margaret Cho's tattoolicious cover for Unzipped [a gay adult industry mag is obvs NSFW]. Her new show Drop Dead Diva premiered this week and is a comedy with body image as its central theme, one not uncommon to heavily tattooed peeps. I loved it.

Ashley Tisdale got a tattoo. Yeah, I don't care either.

Another autograph tattoo, this time, Paul McCartney. Let it Be Bleed.

Cameron Diaz sports a faux tattoo on V Mag in her tribute cover to Madonna.

Yakuza Tattoo 1 - Japanese Tattoos

Yakuza Tattoo 1 - Japanese Tattoos

Yakuza Tattoos come in different styles and forms

Yakuza tattoos come in different styles and forms. They are often done in colored inks and their designs make bold statements. Yakuza tattoos are often placed in body spots that are often exposed for the entire world to see. You can often see them on their hands, arms, chest and necks. Because of the relation of Yakuza to tattoos, you cannot blame a normal Japanese to be afraid and slightly frightened of some people with large and daring tattoos. It is common for heavily tattooed people to be banned in public and some exclusive hotels. Yakuza is known to tattoo their own members. If you see a black ring around an arm of a Yakuza, this can stand for the number of crimes he committed.

Yakuza Tattoo

Yakuza Tattoo

Yakuza Tattoo

Yakuza Tattoo

Yakuza Japanese Tattoo Style in Greenpeace ad

Greenpeace commissioned these print ads to depict richly decorated tattoos on Japanese men. Look closely and you’ll see whales being butchered by the different characters.

The tagline for these images are “Not all traditions deserve to be preserved. Put an end to whaling in Japan.”

Via I Believe in Advertising

tattoo yakuza

tattoo yakuza

tattoo yakuza

tattoo yakuza

tattoo yakuza

tattoo yakuza

There are several types of tattoo designs in the world. However, among the many types of designs available, the most popular are probably Japanese tattoo designs. As a matter of fact, Japanese tattoos are recognized and are used not only by the Japanese but by people all over the world. What is the reason for this? Why did these designs receive such a huge welcome from the international community? What are the characteristics of these fantastic tattoos that make them so popular?

Artistic

Japanese tattoo designs are very artistic. Most of these designs are very colorful and fluid, making them generally more appealing than other designs. Also, each design is usually made up of more than a single element woven together by intricate patterns of lines, transforming the tattoo into one elaborate painting on the skin.

For example, in more common Japanese designs such as the ones featuring Japanese koi fishes, tattoo masters already use more than six colors to finish the whole picture. This number just continues to go up as the intricacy of the patterns increases.

Symbolism

Japanese tattoo designs are rich in symbolism. This is because the art of Japanese tattooing is backed up by centuries of culture and tradition. Since the Japanese have such high regard for nature and spirituality, they often associate different creatures and places with deep spiritual meanings. This spirituality is what transforms their ink and design into works that embody or symbolize several things.

This is also why certain creatures, especially the more revered ones like the dragon, the tiger, and the Koi fish often make their way into the heart of most Japanese designs. The Japanese hold a special meaning for these creatures which is why they are often used in tattoo designs.

Powerful and Striking

These designs emit a sense of power, so much so that the body where the tattoo is placed on almost disappears instantly behind the picture. The mix of form, color and intricate patterns draws attention unlike any other type of tattoo design. This is also why these designs take much longer to complete than others. The details that come into assembling each design make these designs extremely powerful and alluring.

In contrast to other designs which clearly look and feel like ornamental accessories on the skin, Japanese tattoos are meant to stand out.

Daring

The more popular Japanese tattoo designs span the length of almost the entire body. Some of the best and most well known patterns can cover the whole back from the thighs all the way to the shoulders. Some even go all the way to the front reaching and covering the more sensitive areas of the breast, the collar bone, as well the crotch. Can you imagine the pain that these people had to endure just to get a Japanese tattoo?

According to Yoshihito Nakano, a well-known Japanese tattoo master, some of his tattoo designs are so expansive that it even takes him two years to complete.

Tattoos -Yakuza Style

Dragon Tattoos : More Meaning of Japanese

The Japanese dragon is one of the mythological creatures most popular selected for inking and a traditional choice for a design of tattooing. It is usually depicts as a creature snake-like without wings and heavy-measured with small scratched legs and chief with horns or antlered of camel, and is associated with the sea, the clouds or the skies. The Japanese dragons tend to being much thinner and fly less frequently than the Chinese counterparts.

The breath of the Japanese dragon changes into clouds of which come rain or fires. It can increase or contract its body, and moreover it with the power of the transformation and invisibility. It is simply a general description and does not apply to all the Japanese dragons, some of which have the heads so extraordinary kind which they cannot be compared with anything in the animal kingdom.

There are a wide vareity of different tattoo possibilities with a dragon. There are the issues of location, size and design to consider. The style and look of the dragon can often determine what the person might wish to represent. For example an evil looking dragon that is bearing his large teeth and sourrounded by flames and wrapping around a large sowrd would obvisouly represent power, strength and the warrior spirit. Where as a dragon that is depicted in a sceen above a large body of water or int he clouds in flight might represent peace and beauty. So the style, look and feel of the tattoo will ultimatly determine the meaning of the tattoo. Japanese Dragon Tattoo Placement

Since dragons are so prevelant through Japanese art, architecture, and literature there are many different even historically famous tattoo designs to choose from when contemplating getting a dragon tattoo. As far as location the most popular place is a very large full back piece. This allows for a lot of canvas space to truly depict the beauty and power of the mystical beast. You are not just locked into a large back piece however, as there are many different dragont attoo designs to work with and you can get a tattoo anywhere on your body that you want. Typically calves, shoulders and sleeve tattoos also work well for dragon tattoos. The choice is up to you and what you want and what you are looking to express int he design.