Irezumi the Art of Japanese Tattoos

Japanese tattoos are regaining their popularity again amongst the middle classes. Ironically young Japanese people are going for tattoo designs that can be completed in one sitting such as the traditional American style tattoos or tribal tattoos. Traditional irezumi is still done by specialist tattooists. Because Japanese tattoos are so detailed they are also very time intensive and expensive. A traditional 'body suit' (covering the arms, back, upper legs and chest can take up to five years of once-a-week visits to complete and cost more than US$30,000 to complete!

Japanese tattoos are referred to in Japanese as irezumi which literally means the insertion of ink under the skin leaving a permanent mark or tattoo. Tattooing in Japan is thought to extend back to at least 10,000 years. The Ainu people, the indigenous people of Japan, are known to have used tattoos for decorative and social purposes for many thousands of years.

Flying Birds & Dandylion Tattoo

A little experiment today for a friend’s tattoo. A real pleasure doing this, mostly with 3 liners. So much detail. Looking forward to see when it heals and if we can add some little touches! Wish you the best of Luck! Enjoy! Y.

JAPANESE TATTOO MASTER's

The word TATTOO MASTER's is more than fitting in the case of legendary tattooers, artists and historians Horiyoshi III & Ed Hardy. Without them japanese tattooing might be only curious footnote in art books in the western society. There shouldnt be a tattoo artist or collector out there who doesnt acknowledge the impact they have had. They are like a doppelganger. A mirror of the same person. Almoust a failry tail told to children after tattoo convetions. They ARE modern tattooing and tattooing in general.


Dave has revolutionized japanese tattooing in my humble opinnion. Its unbelievably hard to take something that has existed for hundreds of years and give it a new life, while still honoring the past. I mean, just think about it. The style of japanese tattooing has stayed pretty much unchanged for generations and generations. So to someone to change the formula, they have to be one Crazy. Talented. Mother. Fucker. Like Shaft on crack.

He takes history and rewrites it and while he does it, he actually creates a NEW chapter on its rich history. And most importanly he makes it accessible for the younger generations who have been raised in the world of punk rock, comic book's and sarcastically fucked up humour. He creates something completely new but still without a doupt you can recognize the picture. How many artists do that, regardless of genre?

 

http://akmal-japanesetattoostyle.blogspot.com/

Try a tattoo - the Japanese style

 

If somehow you got tired of all the tribal and bio-mechanic tattoos that our artists have to offer, maybe you should start exploring other options.

The history of Japanese tattoos goes way back - they have been around for many, many years. This doesn’t mean however that they are necessary the right ones for you. You see there’s a catch with these tattoos. They’re very big, often covering the entire back, they are awfully expensive and they come in their own flavors, inspired by the Japanese culture.

The sad fact is that you will not find a tattoo parlor in the yellow pages who can make such incredible artwork. This tattoo requires a Japanese artist, but anyway a trip to Japan might be worth the trouble.

There is another catch. This is not the sort of tattoo to show off to your friends. Japanese are way more subtle than this. They are supposed to be shown only to your girlfriend or boyfriend, or occasionally to the local Yakuza mob. Yep you are reading right, this is what subtlety is in Japan, I have heard that they are still working on it. Nobody gets it right in the first place you know? Also these tattoos will hurt… a lot, because they are still doing the whole damn thing manually, so for every dot of the tattoo expect a needle expertly inserted in your skin, that if you’re lucky of course and through the expert hand there isn’t some sake flowing.

My guess is that this is the way they discovered acupuncture. The bottom line is that if you really want such a tattoo go ahead and do it, you will definitely be a beach attraction.

Japanese Tribal Tattoo Maria Ozawa

Japanese Tribal Tattoo Maria Ozawa

Japanese Tattoo Style

Japanese Tattoo Style

Japanese Tattoo Style

Japanese Tattoo Style