Japanese

Koi, dragons, hannya masks, peonies and waves on backgrounds of wind and water: large-scale work in the Japanese tradition, planned for the whole limb.

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One subject, one background, the whole limb

Japanese tattooing is built around a main subject and the background that carries it. Koi, dragons, tigers, hannya and foo dogs sit in water, wind bars, clouds, cherry blossom or maple leaves, and the background is what makes a sleeve read as one piece instead of a collection.

A Japanese koi tattoo with blue scales, red accents and grey waves covers an upper arm.

A colorful Japanese teal Hannya mask with cherry blossoms covers a forearm.

A Japanese red demon mask sits within a blue chrysanthemum on the upper arm.

It is planned at the scale of the body part: a half sleeve, a full sleeve, a back piece, a leg. Even a single subject is composed so the piece can grow later, with the background left open where the next chapter will go, which is why a first Japanese piece is worth a longer consultation.

A black-and-grey Japanese foo dog face with curling details covers the back of a hand.

A colorful Japanese phoenix, blossoms, tiger, dragon and vertical characters span the back.

Japanese work from the shops

A plan first, then sessions

A Japanese red koi tattoo winds through pink cherry blossoms and black waves on an upper arm.

A Japanese samurai tattoo holds a sword beneath pink blossoms beside a red building on an upper arm.

The consultation covers the subject, its meaning, the flow of the background and how far the piece will eventually go. The artist draws the subject and composes the background on you. Expect several sessions for a sleeve, more for a back.

Skott carries the Japanese and oriental work here, along with the horror and black and grey it often shares a body with. Color is traditional, but black and grey Japanese work is common, ages beautifully, and suits a quieter piece.

At a glance

Subjects: Koi, dragon, tiger, hannya, peony, snake
Background: Wind, water, clouds, petals
Size: Half sleeve and up
Sessions: Several
Ink: Color or black and grey

Who to ask for Japanese

Skott Kautman
Black and grey · Horror · Polynesian

A Japanese dragon curls among pink blossoms on an upper arm.

A color illustrative pig among blue waves and broken wooden planks covers the top of a foot.

Questions people ask

A color illustrative rooster among blue waves and broken wooden planks covers the top of a foot.

Can I start small and build a sleeve later?

Yes, if the first piece is composed for it. Tell the artist the long-term plan at the first consultation and the subject is placed and sized to grow.

Do the motifs have fixed meanings?

Many do: koi for perseverance, the dragon for wisdom and strength, hannya for jealousy and rage, peonies for wealth. The artist will tell you what a combination says before you commit.

Color Japanese dragon, guardian lion, mask and blossoms span an arm and the side of a torso.

Why does the background matter so much?

Without it, a sleeve is separate pictures. With it, the eye travels around the arm in one movement. It is also what makes the piece readable from a distance years later.