Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Koi Fish Tattoos

Koi is a very beautiful fish with bright and striking colors, which has been cultivated and bred by the people of Japan for hundreds of years. Japanese koi fish tattoos denote both good luck and strength. They are believed to bring riches and abundance. Koi fish has the innate ability to adjust to any environment and swim against the current of water, which are considered as very rare qualities.

In both Chinese and Japanese culture, a very popular and mysterious legend is associated with koi fish. It is believed that these fascinating creatures, swimming upstream against the current of water will transform into water dragons, if they can reach a point known as 'Dragon Gate' in the Yellow river. But, swimming upstream is not an easy task, and requires a great degree of determination, ambition and strength. This story highlights the importance of strength and perseverance in the face of adversity to achieve success in the struggle of life. It also points to the fact that hard labor and determination can never go unrewarded. Other meanings attached to koi fish are wisdom, knowledge, ambition, loyalty and longevity.

In Japanese culture, koi fish are also a symbol of masculinity, and their courage is compared with that of the Japanese Samurai warriors. It is a popular custom in Japan to display flags with koi fish images on the birth of a son. Koi fish are so much loved by Japanese people that flags designed as koi are raised on Children’s Day, usually black koi for father, red for mother, blue and white for boy, and pink and red for girl. They also hold a special place in Buddhism, being a symbol of courage, for their ability to complete the journey through the ocean.

Tribal Horse Tattoo

So you have made a choice that you want a tribal horse tattoo. A tribal horse tattoo would be great body art, but have you really put that much thought into the research that you need to do before getting your new artwork? Getting a tribal tattoo can be very expensive, so you need to take the appropriate time and do the appropriate research so you can find just the right piece of art. Doing the right research can make all the difference between a good tattoo and a really great tattoo. There are many free places online to find tribal tattoo artwork, but if you look online you might run the risk of using someone else's design. And I'm sure that you want something unique.

One of the things I would avoid doing is using Google image search for your research. I bet you have already done just that. If you have, think about how many others have done the exact same thing. You should consider finding a tattoo artist that can do a custom piece for your new ink.

I would recommend that you check out tattoo galleries that have a membership fee so you can avoid a possible duplication of your artwork. A paid gallery site can offer much more than a free site. It gives you resources such as tattoo artists and tattoo enthusiasts as well as recommendations of quality local tattoo shops. It makes sense to have a current list of local tattoo artists that are known for their quality. You are about to take a big step in getting something very permanent. Make sure you get exactly what you want. I hope you find just the right piece of artwork for your tribal horse tattoo.

Japanese flower tattoos are adored by a global audience today. Find out about the strange origins about this popular trend

The Japanese people are known for the deep love for nature that they possess. The history of Japanese arts clearly displays their desire of being one with nature. Japanese artists are known for their superior powers of observing nature and then depicting them in their art.

Flowers happen to be one of the most beautiful creations of nature. The sheer diversity of looks and smells is something that can keep a nature lover occupied for hours. But naturally the Japanese could never get enough of flowers into their art. Amongst the many different forms of art where the Japanese have used flowers as their inspiration is the art of tattooing.

Monday, September 21, 2009

Bath Girls and Tattoo

Bath Girls and Tattoo

Tattoos and sensuality are often connected. Nakano (1988) in her book titled Irezumishi no onnatachi (the wives of tattooists) states that tattoos have sex appeal, uncovering the practice of tattooing among Japanese women involved with the sex industry. "Soapland" is a place which men come in and choose a bath girl to have sexual pleasure with. "Soap" refers to a bathtub or bathroom. "Soapland" refers to the bathhouse with the brothel. However, technically, sex activities are not involved with this business. If the soap jo, bath girl of the soapland had tattoos, she would have been regarded as a "defective" product (Nakano, 1988). However, the number of tattooed girl-lovers has increased recently in order to satisfy their desire. The tattooed soap jos are becoming popular (Nakano, 1988). Some soap jos want to be covered with tattoos for their job.

The Yakuza and Tattooing


The Yakuza and Tattooing

The yakuza are notorious Japanese syndicate members. Their history dates back over 300 years. Their origin can be traced back to the Edo period (Kaplan and Dupro, 1986). The ancestors of the modern yakuza used tattooing as a mark of status.

Tattoos are the greatest trademark of the yakuza. When we go to see a yakuza movie, for instance, the tattooed yakuza often show up. Rome (1975) refers to the modern yakuza as the title "The Tattooed Men," and describes a typical scene in a yakuza movie: There is a gambling scene where somebody cheats, is discovered, the kimonos are dropped from the shoulders revealing tattoos (cheers from the audience), swords appear and blood is spilled." (p.213)

Kaplan and Dupro (1986) state that approximately 73 percent of the yakuza have tattoos. Among the yakuza, undergoing tattooing was a test to show their strength. The traditional Japanese tattoo takes a long time to complete. To wear the full body tattoo, one needs patience to endure the time and pain. For some yakuza, tattoos are a proof of strength, courage, toughness and masculinity. Besides, wearing tattoos makes them feel a sense of solidarity as a member of the organization. Such tattoos mean loyalty or faithfulness towards the organization.

Although the yakuza began to accept tattoos as their custom in the Edo period, it was not an outstanding figure in those days. Following Japan's economic growth, the yakuza population rapidly increased, and became more often involved in criminal activities. Because of the outlaws' path, we are likely to associate tattooing with the yakuza, and eventually the fixed notion that tattooing has a criminal aspects was built up.

However, in recent years the number of the yakuza with tattoos has been decreasing. Because of increased law enforcement, the yakuza have lost many their sources of income. Moreover, Kaplan and Dupro (1986) point out that the nature of the yakuza has been changing. Although devoting one's life to the organization was the way to survive in the yakuza world, today's young yakuza become less obedient at each step. The younger yakuza are forsaking the full-body pictorial tattoos. They opt instead for a simple line drawing or phrase on their upper arm, more similar to the tattoos of Western youths. The reason, says researcher Hoshino, is not a change in aesthetics: the old-style tattoos cost a fortune, and are simply no longer worth either the physical or financial stress (Kaplan and

Dupro, 1986: 273).

Since the Act for Prevention of Unlawful Activities by Boryokudan (syndicate) members was passed in 1992, the influence of the yakuza has weakened. According to recent reports (Asahi shinbun, 1997), many yakuza try to remove their tattoos and have operations to replace missing fingers in order to return to mainstream society. Moreover, an article in a current magazine (Vollmann, 1999) tells that one yakuza continued to be untattooed. When he was young, his boss had forbidden him to be tattooed on the grounds that fashions change (p.77). Thus, even the yakuza themselves admit that their tattoos are not acceptable. People with tattoos are likely to be stigmatized and regarded as misfits in Japanese society. There is another interesting response about tattoos by the yakuza boss (Vollmann, 1999). The interviewer asks if the yakuza wear certain types of tattoos. The yakuza boss replies: "No, you can't tell. We're not a tribe." (Vollmann, 1999: 78).

To be tattooed in Japan is to abandon conventional society and go into the underworld. It is true that some yakuza tend not to have tattoos. Tattooing is no longer used as either a test of strength or a sign of solidarity among the yakuza.

Monday, September 14, 2009

Butterfly Tattoos

Butterfly tattoos are among the most abundant tattoo design selections in modern day tattoo studios. As a long-time favorite of female body art enthusiasts, butterfly tattoos have the unique versatility to be designed for both large and small areas – making it widely usable on almost any part of the body. With an unlimited number of styles and color combinations, butterfly tattoos continue to rank near the top of the all-time, most popular tattoo design selections.

Flower Tattoo

Flower tattoos are some of the most popular forms of body art chosen today. These versatile tattoos can be any size and placed practically anywhere on the body. The beauty, shape and colors of the various flower species make them eye-catching as single design elements or when paired with other elements such as crosses, hearts and waves. Flowers are also regularly featured with fierce animals such as tigers and panthers, adding both softness and an exotic flare. Regardless of whether one is searching for beauty, simplicity or symbolism, flower tattoos are timeless pieces that offer countless design possibilities.

Sunday, September 13, 2009

Flower Tattoo

Roses are common features in many tattoo designs. They are frequently featured in tattoos symbolizing love but are sometimes incorporated just for their sheer beauty to soften otherwise “hard” or dark designs such as dagger tattoos or grim reaper tattoos. Representative of love, passion and romance, red rose tattoos are the most popular of all flower tattoos.

Flower Tattoo

Saturday, September 12, 2009

Flower Tattoo

Friday, September 4, 2009

Flower Tattoo Style

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Tattoo Style

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

SAMURAI Tattoo

PRAKASCH CUSTOM Tattoo