Many are thinking about getting a tattoo. There are many varieties of it. One of the most common is the Japanese tattoo. What are its features? What does a Japanese tattoo mean?
A little 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 such painting are carps, dragons and warriors of antiquity. There are many theories about the origin of Japanese tattoos. Each of them has its share of truth. One theory holds that the painting was borrowed from the Chinese, while another claims that the tattoos were taken from the traditions of their neighbors, the Ainu. The third exists in the form of a legend, which says that Sanoyataru, the queen, was struck by the tattoo of Lord Jimmu and captured her feelings with the help of a poem.
In Japanese history, there is a mention that ordinary plant thorns were used as tattoo needles.
Features of Japanese tattoos
Japanese tattoo - what is its peculiarity? It is possible to single out the characteristic features inherent only in the Japanese style. All drawings usually take quite aa large area of the body, most often applied in the form of a raincoat 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 mentioned above, the 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. The most commonly used colors are black and red. Yellow and green are quite rare.
Most often, masters try to position the 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 the Japanese style can be easily distinguished is the filling of empty areas of the skin with ornaments or inscriptions. This gives depth to the whole composition, and sometimes a little mysticism appears.
In Japan, traditional tattoo artists prefer to use special bamboo sticks with needles, rather than a machine. A set of many needles is called "hari". An observation was made. It turned out that there are about 80-150 corners per minute. Masters apply tattoos for weeks, or even months.
It is worth mentioning that marine themes are very common in Japanese tattoos. Since ancient times, people have admired the sea. This topic is especially relevant for the Japanese, given the fact that they live onislands.
Japanese tattoo hieroglyphs
Japanese characters - a tattoo with great popularity. This is due to the fact that usually no one but the speaker understands the meaning. An interesting fact is that such drawings are worn mainly only by Europeans. It is worth saying that it is very difficult to translate Japanese tattoos with hieroglyphs. But deciding to make such a drawing, it is worth considering. Japanese hieroglyphs are a tattoo, the "tattoo" of which must be taken very seriously. Before going to the salon, you should find out the exact meaning of a word or phrase and make sure of 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 symbols with a detailed description of the meanings. There are a huge number of them and they are all attractive in their own way.
Japanese carp tattoos and their meaning
The 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 are a huge number of tattoos dedicated to this topic. All drawings are dynamic and bright. The carp is considered a symbol of courage. This meaning follows from the legend of Koi, who was able to climb the waterfall to the Dragon Gate. The owner of a Japanese carp tattoo is considered a purposeful and fearless 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 the whole composition, which can be considered a work of art.
Japanese dragon tattoos
Both in China and in Japan, such a creature as a dragon is very revered. This topic 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. Imperial clothes in ancient times were decorated with the image of this creature, which possessed great power and wisdom. The nukibori tattoo style is very popular these days. The Japanese dragon is a tattoo that is most often welcomed by young people. The peculiarity lies in the fact that the contour of the picture is a uniform color without transitions and shadows.
Today
Japanese tattoos are now back with increasing popularity. As sad as it may be, there is now 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 certain clan, and also each man shows his character traits. A characteristic feature is the fact that Japanese gangsters usually put on the body drawings from any gambling. There are even "civilian" and "criminal" tattoos.
In conclusion, we can say that all Japanese tattoos and their meaning attract the attention of so many people. They are very popular among both Asian representatives and Europeans. Many people are attracted to orient althings. It is worth noting that after a trip to Japan, most people try to bring, in addition to souvenirs, an original tattoo created by a real master.
