Japanese shoulder tattoos. Japanese tattoo

According to the most common version in the 5th c. BC e. The tattoo was borrowed from China, where it has been used since the 11th century. BC e. In the III century. n. e. Chinese travelers who visited Japan noted in the chronicle of San Kuochi that people of noble origin here differ from the common people in that they wear drawings on their faces. According to another theory, the tattoo entered Japan in ancient times thanks to the Ainu who lived next door to the Japanese in the period from 7000 to 250 BC. The most common legend among the Japanese themselves says that the mythical ruler of Japan, Jimmu (660-585 BC), wore tattoos so effective that he delighted Queen Senoyatatara who composed a poem in their honor. Therefore, in Japan until 500, decorating the body with a tattoo was the privilege of emperors, later it turned into a decorative art.

The favorable climate for the rapid development of the arts, created by the historical events of the 17th century, contributed to the emergence of a beautiful artistic tattoo as a separate branch of art. Over time, tattoo fashion has become mandatory in certain social circles. At the beginning of the XIX century. in the largest Japanese city of Edo (now Tokyo), body tattooing has taken root so much that an artisan who does not have skin drawings would certainly be on the list of the seven wonders of the capital.

To attract the attention of customers, they begin to decorate their bodies with beautiful courtesan tattoos. With the help of tattoos, oiran and tayu bypassed the ban on showing a naked body. Covered with multi-colored patterns, the skin seemed to be a kind of imitation of clothing, while making the woman even more seductive. In this case, only the face, palms and feet remained untattooed. Often strong feelings arose between the oiran and her partner, and then they got tattooed together. For example, as a sign of fidelity to each other, moles were applied to the hands, so that when the palms were clasped, the marks were mutually covered thumbs hands The names of lovers were pricked, accompanied by the hieroglyph inoti - fate, which in Russian can be interpreted as love to the grave.

Part of the Japanese tradition are flower tattoos: peony symbolizes wealth and good luck, chrysanthemum - determination and self-control, sakura - "we are just guests on this earth".
Samurai were tattooed with cherry blossoms and chrysanthemums, thus making it clear that they could die on the battlefield at any moment and for this they had enough determination. The short life cycle of the Japanese cherry is the transience of life. And the life of a samurai was like cherry blossoms.
Tattoo in the form pink flowers cherry blossom has become famous far beyond the borders of Japan, especially among women.

The popularity of the tattoo also grew thanks to famous dramatic actors who saw in it a new way to achieve expression on stage. At the end of the XVIII century. one of the most beautiful tattoos could boast of the outstanding actor Nakamura Utaemon IV. Following the example of actors, the fashion for tattoos gradually began to take hold in some circles of the Japanese aristocracy. The period at the turn of the 18th - 19th centuries is considered golden in the history of Japanese tattoos. Painting motifs have become not only an adornment of the body, but also a subject for reflection. As a rule, tattoos depict legendary heroes or religious subjects, which can be interspersed with flowers, landscapes, symbolic animals such as dragons and tigers, against the background of waves, clouds or rays, and in motion, which makes their perception three-dimensional, since the main motives of Japanese tattoos were ancient fairy tales and legends associated with the sea. A large group of saints, samurai and monks, courtesans, geishas, ​​kabuki theater actors, sumo wrestlers, etc. also found a place in Japanese tattooing.
The most common tattoo motifs were dragon and carp. The popularity of tattooing and its elevation to the rank of art led to the high prestige of the most popular Japanese tattooists, who were called hori. This name comes from the main "horu", which means the action of "engraving" or "digging", while the concept of "hori-mono" corresponds to the word "tattoo". Even today in Japan, the names of famous tattoo artists of the Edo period are remembered. Among them are: Hori Iyuua, Karakusa-Gonta, Kon Konjiro, Nakamon, Kaneto, Yakkozei, Darumakin, Iku. To this day, the eminent modern hori-mono practitioners refuse to use an electric tattoo machine.

While working, tattoo artists use bamboo sticks with needles attached to them. From one to four needles are used to apply the pattern, and a set of thirty needles in the form of a bundle is used to fill the surface of the pattern. This bunch of needles is called "hari".

In the process of performing a Japanese tattoo distinguish five phases.
The first phase (“suji”) is based on applying a sketch of the motif and the whole composition to the skin using black ink or a special dye that is firmly held on the skin. One session is enough to complete this work.
The second phase is the selection and fixing of the contour with an instrument with one to four needles fixed on it, which are immersed in very thick black ink.
The third phase is based on pricking the skin with a large number of needles collected in a bundle. This allows you to achieve the desired filling of the composition with color and tone.
The fourth phase, called “tsuki-hari” (“tsuki” - to punch and “hari” - a bunch of needles), consists in a shallow pricking of significant fragments of the body surface with a small number of needles without shading it. The needles are driven into the skin with light strokes with the base of the palm, after which the needles are additionally pressed into the body.
The fifth phase consists in the fact that during the pricking of the skin, a slight swing is given to the hand. The piercing depth is precisely controlled. The use of this technique allows you to achieve the best effects when shading the surface of the composition. This procedure is the least painful, because it is carefully controlled, and at the same time the most difficult technically.

Japanese tattooists use predominantly black and red pigments, less often bronze and very rarely green and yellow. After each tattooing procedure, the client is required to take a bath. This improves well-being and makes the tattoo more effective. People with a fresh tattoo are warned against drinking alcohol, since alcohol combined with a freshly pricked skin can lead to poisoning of the body.

However, over time, tattoo art has become a symbol of the underworld. In ancient Japan, a person with a tattoo was persona non grata: he was expelled from his family and society, doomed to complete isolation.
There is evidence that already in the 8th century in the land of the rising sun, punishment tattoos were used. One of the conspirators who decided to overthrow the existing government was tattooed right near his eyes so that everyone would know what a terrible crime he had planned. Four centuries later, the separation of criminals from the law-abiding population through tattooing became widespread. Moreover, in different principalities and provinces they were stigmatized in the form of punishment in different ways.
In the town of Chukuzen, those who were guilty of the first crime were inflicted on their foreheads with a horizontal line, for the second - an arcuate line, for the third - another line. the scariest). Also, the criminals were marked with a circle on the left shoulder, and a double line around the biceps of the left hand (each new crime added along the line), and the hieroglyph "aku", which means "villain".
Therefore, initially, yakuza tattoos carried the meaning of hiding punishment tattoos - on the body of criminals, tattoos were usually done in a conspicuous place and could even tell in which prison they were serving their sentence. Irezumi is an attempt to "hide" the criminal's mark by stylization and the introduction of additional motives.
The yakuza have been using extensive tattoos for centuries as a sign of belonging to a group, as well as to indicate their position in the group.
In addition, when joining the yakuza, peasants and artisans received new, militant-sounding names, such as Tiger and Crane, Nine Dragons, Roaring Storm, etc., which were then applied in the form of paintings on the back or chest. The Japanese classic tattoo, inherited by the yakuza, is distinguished by beauty, a variety of plots and colors, and carries a hidden meaning that is incomprehensible to the uninitiated.

The Dragon- symbolizes power and strength, and at the same time uniting fire and water.
The dragon has always been a powerful and beautiful animal for the Japanese. According to mythological beliefs, tatsu, as dragons are called in Japan, who live near bodies of water, have close ties with the gods. This is one of the reasons for the popularity of dragon tattoos. For the Japanese, the image of a dragon is supposed to bring good luck. The size, style, location of the tattoo can change the meaning. For example, a dragon wrapped around a sword and glaring at you with bright red eyes demonstrates the power and strength of its owner. A dragon soaring above the clouds is the determination to do everything for the sake of freedom and independence.

Carp- symbolizes courage, bravery, stoicism. A special place is occupied by a variety of sea and water motifs in general, which is simply explained: the life of many Japanese is closely connected with the sea. For this reason, in a Japanese tattoo, a wave motif often appears next to water creatures, which serves as a background and reveals the texture of the body. Sometimes he dictates stylistic originality.

Tiger - fearlessness symbol. Although the tiger is extremely rare in Japan, tattoo artists have depicted it frequently since the late Edo period. To a greater extent, thanks to one of the heroes of the Suikoden novel, who had a tiger tattoo on his back. Most often, the image is somewhat distorted, since a tiger could only be seen in Chinese paintings. Persistence, power, dominance - the symbolism associated with the tiger. A tiger that has released its claws or pounces on prey will tell about the aggressive disposition of the owner of the tattoo.

snakes, which are associated with many religious rites in Japan in the distant past, symbolizes the regenerative nature of life itself. In the Japanese tradition, the snake is associated with the divine feminine - wisdom and cunning.

Probably the most famous Japanese tattoo han demon mask although it has nothing to do with the devil. The mask, on the other hand, can ward off evil. Once upon a time there lived a young woman who fell in love with a monk. But love remained unrequited, rage distorted her beautiful face and she turned into an oni (demon). The Han mask is used in Noh theater performances, depicting women who turn into monsters out of jealousy and anger. A tattoo in the form of a Han mask was made by samurai, believing that the fallen angels would keep them.

Demons, monsters, one might say a revered topic in Japanese culture especially in tattoos. According to the Japanese, tattoos of this kind, on the contrary, will protect and protect. Demon dog (Inuyasha), centipede demon, foxes, tanuki are common characters in Japanese-style tattoos. The most striking feature of a Japanese tattoo is its vastness. A tattoo that was consistently performed on a person for several years could lead to the emergence of a composition in the form of a “kimono” or “open cloak”. Such a tattoo is called full and tightly covers the torso, leaving the space in the center of the chest and abdomen unfilled. In the upper part, it reaches the elbows, filling the forearms, in the lower part it ends on the hips. Also, the distinctive features are the presence of pronounced motifs:
- usually one stands out - the main one, and a large number of small ones, with the help of which the entire surface of the skin is filled. They often weave and create a backdrop for the presenter. Ornaments (usually geometric) and inscriptions can also be used as secondary ones. - multicolor, intensity, contrast of colors (black and red colors are most common),
- expressiveness and expression, achieved by using the knowledge of human anatomy, primarily muscle tissue (the image is applied in such a way that the effect of movement during muscle work is created), weaving into the motif of the drawing of body parts (the navel, collarbone, nipples became elements of a common motif),
- emphasizing the contours: the edges of the main motifs were shaded or highlighted with a decorative outline.
symbolism - almost any motif of a Japanese tattoo is a symbol.
Japanese tattoo masters continue to fulfill orders, passing on the skill from generation to generation, along with a unique way of tattooing (traditional tattoo art implies a canonical method of making using bamboo and family dye recipes)
Schools of Japanese tattoo artists, studios and family clans (Horitoshi, Horitama, Irezumi and others) are widely known. Masters of other continents also offer “Japanese tattoo” services, however, despite the quality work, the truly traditional way of making a Japanese tattoo remains only in Japan itself within the clans.

Japanese tattoo art

In the art of the East there is such a principle - the beautiful is the least accessible to the eye, the greatest effect is produced by what you rarely see. It is part of Japanese traditional culture, and without it, the Japanese would lose their sense of beauty. This principle applies to Japanese tattoos as well.

The history of Japanese tattoo artists

In the past, tattoos have been banned in Japan, with one unusual exception. Tattoos were allowed only for firefighters, so they decorated their bodies with very intricate designs. It was believed that in the event of the death of a firefighter, he could be identified by them. Everyone else, including civil servants and those who were involved in saving people, were forbidden to get tattoos by law. Images were also applied to the bodies of criminals and prisoners.

However, things changed in the 17th century. The reason for this was the abolition of markings with tattoos of criminals. Painted drawings on the body became allowed both among ordinary people and in yakuza clans. However, still wearing a tattoo in Japan is not encouraged.

The masters passed on the art of body painting to their students. In order to become a specialist, the student had to be a "shadow of the master" for several years, in other words, to learn this craft, being with the teacher all the time. It was only through long training that the technique of drawing images and understanding of which drawings were combined with each other and which were not mastered.

In traditional Japanese tattoo culture, there are many traditionally combined images. For example, lions, dragons and demons are located next to flowers, denoting the balance of strength and beauty.

Modern Japanese tattoo masters, as in old times, use the manual method of body painting, do not use electric tattoo devices.

Japanese tattoos and their meaning in Russian.

There are three types of Japanese tattoos: irezumi, gaman, and kakushi boro.

Irezumi (horimono). This word denoted images inherent in the yakuza. They covered the entire back, chest, arms and thighs. In the modern sense, irezumi is just a tattoo in the Japanese manner.

Irezumi

Gaman. Such tattoos were applied by noble men who wanted to show their power, courage and courage.

Kakushi boro is an unusual type of tattoo that was applied in the armpits or on the inner thigh only by women. This was usually done by filling cuts rice flour. Only the closest people could see such a tattoo, it became visible on the body, heated by love joys or after water procedures.

The plot of a Japanese tattoo is very important. Each component of the entire image must contain meaning and characterize the person with the tattoo. For example, a carp means happiness and prosperity, a rabbit means fertility, a tiger means courage and incredible power. Peonies are a sign of luck, sakura symbolizes the fragility of life, maple stands for love.

Japanese dragon tattoo

The most popular image in Japan is the dragon. In the tattoo of this country, the dragon has body parts of other animals, it can be the ears of a bull or a snake body. It is believed that this fabulous creature gives good luck, and if the dragon entangles the sword, then this means great strength.

Foreign tattoo artists often make gross mistakes due to the fact that they do not understand Japanese characters.

Japanese tattoo hieroglyphs

The most famous tattoos are the Japanese Kanji characters. This type of body painting has extraordinary beauty and diversity. Masterfully applied characters of the traditional calligraphic writing of the land of the rising sun can tell everything about yourself.

Meanings of kanji characters

In addition, images of fantastic animals are popular. It can be Koi fish, half-bull - half-dragon, which brings joy and wealth.

Video about Japanese tattoos

The video tells about the history of applying drawings on the skin in the style of the land of the rising sun.

Article genre - Japanese tattoos

The inhabitants of the Japanese islands were no different from other peoples. Therefore, the art of tattooing has also been popular here since ancient times. Japanese tattoos conveyed not only the spiritual principles of a person, the characteristics of his character, but also provided information about his social status and position in society.

Back full of Japanese style tattoos

The history of the development of Japanese tattoos

It should be noted that despite the prohibitions of the government to apply drawings to the body, art japanese tattoo rationing originated among the lower social categories of society. It is a well-known fact that palanquin carriers hid their naked bodies from view with tattoos depicting representatives of fauna and flora, as well as images of beautiful maidens.

It is interesting!

Irezumi (Japanese) - Ink injection. A particular type of tattoo that was popular among courtesans and their admirers. A striking example was applied in the area thumb moles, which, when touched by the palms, seemed to disappear from someone else's gaze.

Dragon head in color in japanese style

Initially, tattoos were applied as a punishment to representatives of the underworld. To disguise the stigma of a prisoner, people made tattoos large and bright.

In the future, wearable drawings became the hallmark of firefighters. Later, tattoos appeared on the bodies of artists, merchants and other representatives of Japanese society.

Why was tattooing banned? There is only one answer. The Japanese authorities tried to avoid mixing of estates and classes of the population. In Japan, this division was clear and unchanging. But the more and tougher the prohibitions were, the more the tattoo art spread.

In this regard, tattoos began to be applied to those parts of the body that were hidden from the outside world as much as possible, for example, legs, chest, arms.

The fashion for wearable drawings received a new impetus when power was concentrated in the bourgeoisie. The next wave came after the end of hostilities. The only problem for the development of the tattoo industry was the loss by the masters of ancient secrets and technologies for applying underwear drawings.

Sleeve tattoo in Japanese style with chrysanthemum

Application technique

Important!

The price of Japanese tattoo sketches is quite high. This is determined by the factor that the tattoo is large-scale and requires more than one day of work. Masters prepare mixtures of herbal dyes and dyes as paints.

It is interesting!

To apply a tattoo, the master uses needles collected in a bundle of 2-10 pieces. Thus, the brightness of the image and the saturation of the picture are achieved.

Koi carp on leg - japanese tattoo

The main distinctive qualities of Japanese tattoos

The main rule of the Japanese tattoo is the asymmetry of the elements of the composition of the body pattern. The outline of the drawing is done with smooth and thinnest lines. Particular attention should be paid to the color scheme and the use of color saturation of the picture. The edge of the element is always performed in brighter tones than the central part.

One of the innovations in Japanese tattooing was moving drawings. Such drawings are applied to the muscles, providing for the movement of the human body. Thus, the masters manage to convey the image in motion, for example, a samurai in a fight with an enemy.

Gloomy Japanese dragon head in black

Japanese tattoo style

Given the peculiarities of the technique of applying a body pattern, it should also be noted that the Japanese tattoo, the photo of which is always fascinating, is distinguished by its huge scale and rich compositions. Often, such a drawing contains several fragments, symbols. The scale and cohesion of the pattern is achieved by filling empty areas with various ornaments.

Koi carp in gold finish

The meaning of tattoos

Japanese tattoos, the meaning of which has a deep philosophical meaning, has always fascinated bright colors, amazing animals, mysterious inscriptions.

1. Flowers

   Peony - a symbol of wealth, money

   If black rings are applied on a person’s hand, then their number corresponds to the number of crimes committed by the owner of the tattoo.

   I did a Japanese-style tattoo on my back - it turned out perfect. The drawing is rich and bright. I could not even think that such a realistic picture could be.

   Vladislav, Kostroma

   My love for tattoos began in early age when I received cuffs from my parents for painting myself with paints, felt-tip pens. Of course, I did not become a master. But he scored the sleeves. And on both hands. The sketch was developed together with the master. The result was awesome. Make up your mind!

   Dmitry, Moscow

   Video: an overview of popular Japanese tattoos

   Sketches of Japanese tattoos

   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

The oldest mention of Japan is associated with. Both country and body painting are themes dealt with in the Gishiwajinden manuscript. It was created in the 3rd century. The author is a Chinese who has been where the sun rises.

A wanderer from the Celestial Empire describes the inhabitants of the islands with surprise, mentioning that they make drawings on their faces and bodies. Let's figure out why the ancient Japanese decorated themselves and what contemporary meaning patterns fashionable in the land of the Rising.

The meaning of Japanese tattoos

The Gishiwajinden chronicle states that japanese tattoo serve as protection during hunting and fishing. By the way, indirect references to body painting indicate that it was used long before the 3rd century.

So, during the time of the Jomon, which began 10,000 years BC, figurines were mass-produced from clay. They portrayed people. The bodies of all the surviving figurines are decorated with dashes and dots, like tribal, or, as they are called, tribal tattoos.

By 700 AD Japanese tattoos and their meaning have changed. Tattoos have become not so much protective symbols as indicators of social status. This is mentioned in the Kojiki. This is the first printed edition released in Japan.

In the book, tattoos are divided into two types - those worn by the nobility and those that mark criminals. For example, "dog" was applied to the faces of traitors. The drawing said that the man was a hollow, capable of betraying any secret.

The beginning of the use of tattoos to brand the guilty led to a negative attitude towards all tattoos. Respectable citizens stopped stuffing them by the end of the 18th century.

At the same time, the custom of punishment in the form of japanese character tattoo on the forehead and hands. The limbs were circled with black hoops, as if. One line, one crime. So the rings painted on the wrists in Japan can still be misinterpreted today.

A couple of decades after the abolition of branding, tattoos in Japan began to be used again by pious people. Iharu Saikaku wrote, for example, about the drawings on the bodies of the priests.

The Japanese writer also spoke about geishas. They began to wear japanese lettering tattoo. The names of regular customers were pricked on the inside of the arms. So the beauties made a vow of dates, expressed their love.

Japanese tattoo the criminals stopped applying, but the drawings began to be used by professionals in various fields in order to be recognized in the crowd. Firefighters, doctors, palanquin carriers had their own signs. Some painted all the bodies in the technique of engravings. The main characters of the plots, as a rule, were symbols of the culture of the people.

Japanese dragon– tattoo, meaning the union of opposites - yin and yang. Their merger can be interpreted in different ways, as the union of water and, a duet of heaven and earth, the sunny and shady sides of one mountain. The turtle was impaled as a sign of longevity, and the tiger served as the embodiment of courage and high birth.

Those who happened to visit 19th-century Tokyo (then Edo) ironically said that meeting an untattooed person there was like seeing the eighth wonder of the world.

At the turn of the century, the Russian Tsar Nicholas II entered the country and ... returned home with a tattoo. So the sovereign merged with the crowd in Japan and stood out from the crowd in the fatherland.

Japanese tattoos for men

Classic japanese style tattoo are usually colored. Men of the country of the Rising Sun often wear just such. Sketches for guys are called yakuze.

This is the name of the clan that brought into fashion large-scale paintings in full, passing to the arms, chest and hips. Such ensembles can be divided into several separate tattoos, for example, japanese tattoo sleeves.

Women prick them several times less often than men. First, you need several sessions. The image is large-scale, it is difficult to complete it in one sitting.

Secondly, due to the size and complexity of the sketches, the work is expensive. Ladies are less inclined to give that kind of money for underwear painting, they are more likely to buy diamond earrings.

Men choose japanese tattoo sketches emphasize their strength, courage, power. Those striving for financial well-being and good luck stuff golden fish. They are considered a symbol of wealth in the country of the Rising Sun.

That's why, Japanese carp tattoo are often found on businessmen. The sketch is also used by travelers and athletes. For them japanese carp tattoo- an expression of the dynamics of life, constant movement.

Japanese tattoos for women

Girls often ask japanese tattoo masks. The most famous of them is Chania. This is the image of a girl full of anger and indignation. According to legend, a Japanese woman fell in love with a monk, but he rejected her. Then, the woman turned into a vengeful demon, becoming a symbol of all insidious ladies, all those who were offended by men.

In addition to Chania, there are 43 more masks. Among them there are samples for men. One of them, for example, they. This is a demon that is famous for its strength and vitality. It's almost impossible to kill him. The Oni's weapon of choice is a metal club with impressive spikes.

In general, the hero of mythology resembles the character of a computer game-quest. Such an association naturally attracts many guys. They inflict They tend to on hand. Japanese tattoos here are the most "readable".

Japanese tattoos, photo which, usually laid out by girls, are distinguished by the grace of execution and, as a rule, small and medium sizes. This also applies to masks. Demons, monsters and werewolves are selected that can fit on the shoulder blades, forearms, and thighs.

Instead of masks, ladies often vote for sakura. It is less mysterious and more romantic. Flowering branches are not included in japanese tattoo with translation. Sakura doesn't need decoding. It is clear to everyone that cherry is a symbol of beauty, transience and fragility of life. If you delve into the folklore of Japan, sakura is a sign of sadness.

There is a legend about a worker who could not stand the beating of the owner and complained about him to the prince. He punished the monster, but he did not remain in debt. Of course, he did not take revenge on the prince, but he tied the children of a subordinate to the trunk of a cherry tree and screwed them to death.

Universal Japanese tattoos

It remains to consider Japanese hieroglyphs-tattoo and their meaning. Among the alphabet there are symbols for both men and women, and universal ones. For example, there are signs: love, kindness, freedom, respect, traditions. You can apply the hieroglyph of peace of mind, or the beginning of autumn.

One "letter" carries a specific meaning. But, in a group of hieroglyphs, the meaning of some may change. Therefore, phrases are pierced only by experts in the language, or those who have consulted with them. For fidelity, you can choose a quote from some Japanese book. In this case, the chance of making a mistake in writing is minimal.

The article is based on photographs and a translation of Sandi Fellman's book "The Japanese Tattoo", with additions.

Irezumi is not just bright picture, tattooed on the skin. This is a kind of human shield, his guardian. The tattoo can also serve as a warning - "Beware of the one who wears it!" She is like the snake-haired Gorgon Medusa from Greek mythology, or the snake woman Lamia from Keats' poem...

Coiled in a ring, scaly shine leah -
The sparkle of crimson, azure, gold:
The snake was like a zebra, striped,
Like a spotted leopard; the peacock himself
I would fade next to her in a moment.
And, with silver moons are similar,
Glare played on wonderful skin.

The skin covered with irezumi, after suffering the fiery pain from the needle, becomes the cool skin of a reptile. Images of writhing dragons, lightning in numerous zigzags, fish scales, and ripples from a moving body that photography is not able to capture, increase the defensive and enclosing effect. Do irezumi wearers shield themselves from their emotions? Are they people protesting against the morality, technology, consumerism and conformism inherent in modern Japan? All that can be said about irezumi is Secrecy and Remoteness. Secrecy is provided by a strict business suit that completely hides a tattoo, and Remoteness is a state of mind of a person wearing it, remote from many norms and prohibitions of modern society.

Japanese carp tattoo meaning

Carp (鯉), referred to in Japan as "Koi" - was brought during the Middle Ages to the Land of the Rising Sun by settlers from China - a country where it was grown and bred for many centuries. The carp immediately fell in love with the locals, who continued to work on it. appearance through careful selection. In Chinese and Japanese cuisine, carp is given the place of the king of freshwater fish. It's hard to believe that this bright and bizarre fish, sparkling with gold, red and orange hues of scales, comes from an ordinary freshwater carp. The magnificence of the Koi carp has long made it a popular subject for attractive tattoos for both men and women. Images of carp are distinguished by dynamism, rich colors and highly decorative.
An ancient Chinese legend, which has become popular in Japan, says that the brave Koi carp was not afraid to climb up the waterfall to the Dragon Gate, and, as a reward for this feat, was turned into a dragon. This act made the carp a symbol of courage, strength and perseverance in achieving the goal. It is believed that the caught carp, without flinching, takes the blow of the carving knife. So, the image of a carp can be both a symbol of fearlessness and composure in the face of an inevitable fate - qualities inherent in a real warrior - a samurai. Generally speaking, the meaning of a tattoo can be defined as the desire of its owner to become like a carp in determination, strength and luck, and to increase their well-being thanks to these qualities.

Japanese dragon tattoo meaning

In Japan, of all the mythological creatures, the most popular is the dragon. The image of a dragon as a decoration or ornament can be found in all aspects Everyday life. In the mythology of the East, the dragon is a symbol of strength, loyalty, perseverance, nobility, magic, the power of imagination and transformation, a symbol of the ability to go beyond the ordinary, and much more. Imperial clothing in Japan is solemnly called "Dragon Robes", which is decorated with images of dragons, indicating the power of the monarch and the patronage of dragons. Being the lord of the water and air elements, the dragon was also considered a protector from fire, so firefighters revered him. The dragon in its appearance combines parts of other animals, and thus can extract the necessary properties and powers from each creature that is part of it. In this lies its omnipotence and universalism. The dragon is a serpent with deer antlers, carp scales and whiskers, eagle's four-fingered feet, camel's nose, and flame-shaped protrusions on the shoulders and hips.

This fragment of a dragon tattoo shows its head. Indulging youthful tastes, master Horiyoshi III performed this tattoo in the cartoon style of manga (European-style comic books), however, leaving traditional oriental features - a furry muzzle, fanged mouth, mustache, horns and flame-shaped protrusions on the body. The dragon and its background form the elements of yin-yang - different aspects of a single reality or the interaction and struggle of opposite principles.

The Japanese master Horikin is known for designing and making a Japanese-style tattoo on the entire body of the customer. However, the client pictured asked for only one dragon, perhaps to indicate that he was born in the year of the Dragon, the fifth year of the eastern zodiac, or perhaps to “strengthen” right hand. In addition, he asked for this tattoo in the western style, called "nukibori" by the Japanese, which has recently become popular among Japanese youth. The difference between this method and the traditional Japanese one is that the contour of the picture is filled with a uniform color, without retouching, color transitions and shadows.

The Meaning of Kintaro's Tattoo

Kintaro ("Golden Boy") (金太郎) is one of the most popular characters in Japanese folklore, and is actually a combination of a local fertility deity (kami) with a real historical figure. According to Japanese folk tales and heroic legends, Kintaro, as a child, possessed remarkable physical strength. His amazing feats and perseverance served as an example for the Japanese for a thousand years as an example of an ideal warrior. In Japanese art, Kintaro is often depicted as a small, naked, red-skinned child who fights and defeats a huge carp. The legend of Kintaro is central to the celebration of Boy's Day, which is celebrated on May 5th. Families with sons set up high poles outside their houses, at the ends of which kites made of paper or fabric, depicting carps, flutter. In this way, they want to show that perhaps the new Kintaro lives here. Parents give children toys in the form of this legendary hero, hoping that they will become as strong and brave as Kintaro.
This tattoo symbolizes strength, courage and bravery. The tattoo is popular with people involved in any kind of martial arts.

This photo shows the work of tattoo artist Horikin. When this photograph was taken, the person with this image was very sick, and therefore Khorikin suggested that his customer bequeath the tattooed skin to the University Museum. The man himself was not opposed to this, but his relatives strongly objected. According to Japanese law, parts of a person's body, including skin, after his death cannot be used without the permission of his family. Therefore, this photograph will be the only surviving evidence of this work of art by Master Khorikin.

Another tattoo artist, Horiyoshi II, completely covered the customer's back with the image of Kintaro in the form of a boy of angelic appearance, who fights with a mighty carp. Kintaro wears a blue haramaki (a wide fabric belt, an apron) covering his hara (stomach), which the Japanese consider to be the source of thought and intentions, the source of feelings. In the philosophy of Zen Buddhism, the location of the soul and the center of human life was not considered the head or heart, but the belly, which occupies a kind of middle position in relation to the whole body, contributing to a more balanced and harmonious development of a person. Particular importance was attached to the navel, because through it, as they believed in Japan, the thunder god sends diseases. Therefore, he was covered with a protective warm sash.

The meaning of the Japanese lion tattoo

Japanese tattoo a lion. Master Horigoro III.

Guardian Lion or Koma Inu (Korean Dog).
This tattoo was done by Horigoro III and depicts a koma inu. There is a legend that when the Japanese Empress Jingo in 200 AD. undertook a campaign in Korea, the Korean wang (king) vowed to forever protect the palace of the Japanese emperors. The mythical Korean dog (koma-inu - a dog with a lion's head), which corresponds to the Chinese lion - guardian (kara shishi or jishi), also called the "Lion of the Buddha", was supposed to protect the owner's house from evil spirits. It was believed that the skin from the head of a Korean dog was unusually durable, and helmets were allegedly made from it, which an arrow could not pierce. The statues of these creatures, made of stone or porcelain, are installed in front of the entrance to Buddhist shrines, government residences, administrative buildings, tombs of the rulers of the past in China, Japan and some other countries of the Far East. The guardian lion or the Korean dog symbolizes protection, power, success and strength. In order to tame their unbridled rage (which is symbolized by the symbol "yang"), for aesthetic balance, next to the lion is always depicted beautiful flower peony (symbol "yin"). The dog, as such, is considered in Japan to be a faithful guardian of babies and young children.

Peony Flower Meaning in Japanese Tattoo

Japanese peony flower tattoo

The symbolic meaning of the peony flower in Japanese culture and art - in this case, in the art of tattooing, like the meaning of many other images, suggests that there are many options. In China, where the peony comes from, it is considered a symbol of good luck and prosperity, which ultimately leads to prosperity. One of the meanings that the peony received in Japan also characterizes it as a flower of wealth and good luck. For card players, a peony tattoo indicates courage and the ability to take risks. In the same sense, in the old days, this flower was very popular among the samurai, second only to sakura in popularity. The warriors in their bright armor themselves resembled blooming peonies, and the battle was divided into many one-on-one duels, where everyone tried to stand out, to show himself in all its glory. Then there was a saying "during the war to look for big flower”, that is, to find a worthy opponent, to take risks. Therefore, the peony symbolizes a desperately brave person.
But there is also the opposite meaning of this beautiful flower. It can be a symbol of harmony, female beauty and spring. In a tattoo, it is designed to soften the too rigid, straightforward meaning of some other images, giving them a different symbolic focus. For example, in the case of Korean dog and a lion, images of peonies turn these ferocious guardians into faithful adherents of beauty and gallant treatment, but only if the tattoo wearer is treated properly. Otherwise, the peony becomes an additional warlike sign.

The meaning of cherry blossoms in a tattoo

Horyoshi III for this tattoo turned to the plots of a series of ukiyo-e (prints) made by Utamaro and depicting beautiful women from the "fun neighborhoods" of Yoshiwara in some Japanese cities in the 18th century. Many of these women themselves had tattoos on their bodies. Japanese cherry blossoms - sakura are one of the most famous symbols of Japan, and are very popular as a tattoo. Cherries bloom in early spring and lose their flower petals very quickly. The brevity of this delicate beauty inevitably made sakura a symbol of short life warrior and a short period of youth and attractiveness of a courtesan. The depicted courtesan, to give a hint of eroticism, made cherry-colored shadows around passionate eyes.

The meaning of maple leaves

KINTARO AND MAPLE LEAVES. This tattoo once again shows Kintaro in a deadly fight with a powerful carp. This time, Kintaro is older in age, fully clothed and armed with a dagger. Maple Leaf in China and Japan, it has many meanings - it can symbolize love, autumn, stamina (since maple is not afraid of winter cold). In this case, the leaves can also denote a long stubborn struggle. On the left, in the upper part of the back, the signature of Master Horichi is visible.

The Meaning of the Japanese Rat Tattoo

Irezumi. Rat. Tattoo master Horikin.

RAT - NINJA.
The customer was born in the year of the Rat, opening the 12 year cycle Eastern Calendar. He chose this beast as a tattoo on his back, which was done by the master Horikin. It is difficult to explain why the rat, this rodent pest, was glorified in Japanese mythology. However, the rat is associated with the deity of wealth, one of the seven gods of fortune, and is depicted snooping around the rice bales. She is also a symbol of fertility, as seen in this humorous tattoo where a huge parent rat is surrounded by squeaking hungry rats.
But in addition, the rat also symbolizes the ancient Japanese art of ninjutsu - the art of disguise, espionage and sabotage. Ninja - secret agents, like rats, could sneak into enemy castles unnoticed in order to steal, find out, or commit murder. The ninja were very cautious and preferred to operate at night, where, under the cover of darkness, it was easier to remain invisible. It was believed that the most skilled ninja were able to change their shape through magical spells. The same ability was attributed to the rat itself. The character of the Kabuki theater, the sorcerer Nikki Danjo, turns into a huge rat or trees during the performance in order to turn his unseemly deeds.

Phoenix tattoo meaning

For the tattoo on his wife's back, Horiyoshi III chose the image of the legendary phoenix bird - a mythical eternal creature that can be reborn from the ashes again and again after it burns itself in a fire. In this case, the phoenix symbolizes eternal love and the hope of rebirth after death.

The meaning of the Japanese tattoo is a web, a spider.

The client asked for a “thin and detailed image” on his armpit, one of the most painful areas to tattoo and also one of the most dangerous. There are many sweat glands here, and from needle pricks in this place, profuse sweating begins. The hair on the armpits prompted Horikin the idea to depict a spider web in this place. In Japan, a spider has a dual meaning: if you see a spider during the day, it promises good luck, and if you meet it at night, it is a bad omen. The web, as an outstanding natural phenomenon, clearly arouses respect among the Japanese, but, nevertheless, the image of a spider as a symbol of the inconsistency of nature - it creates beauty only in order to grab and kill - causes fear among Japanese tattoo artists and their customers.

Kabuki Benten Character - Kozo

Benten - Kozo was one of the most popular and beloved characters from the repertoire of the Kabuki theater. He was a noble robber, and his beauty allowed him, in order to carry out his crimes, to impersonate a woman. In one of the scenes, after he robs a jewelry store, a modest and noble girl suddenly tears her kimono and shows the audience a male tattooed body. It is this moment that Master Horijin depicts on the tattoo. The customer's back is divided by a tattoo - if Benten on the left is still in women's clothing, then on the right he shows a tattoo on his body. The swirling swirls around Benten are not just a decoration of the composition, they indicate the character's exuberant and chaotic lifestyle.

wind and lightning

In this unfinished tattoo by Horiyoshi III, a round solar plexus medallion shown between two nipple-wrapped dragon tails is likely the emblem of a yakuza bandit group (a similar group of like-minded people is called "nakama"). The emblem is a stylized image of a rice cauldron, and has a hidden meaning: "he who eats from the same cauldron is a brother." On the right side of the chest is depicted the god of the winds Fujin, one of the twelve bodhisattvas - the kings of Buddhism, who is always depicted as a terrible demon, which he was before he went over to the side of the Buddha. Here he fights a comical, laughing rain dragon.

Moderation

This tattoo was made by master Horijin. One of the oldest styles in Japanese tattooing, which remains popular even today, is the “river” (“kawa”) style, since a strip of clean skin runs down the center of the body, from top to bottom, like a river. The tattoo was done in such a way that the traditional everyday Japanese clothing - happi (jacket with short narrow sleeves) and mompei (short knee-length pants) completely hid it. Now she lets you wear a shirt with short sleeves and shorts. Such a "river" or "quarter of the body" was supposed to prevent the removal of the skin after the death of a person, since it did not allow the irezumi composition to be preserved intact.
The left nipple is decorated in the form of a peony flower, while from the right nipple a waterfall rushes down, in the jets of which a carp is shown persistently making its way to the top to be reborn into a dragon. A horned dragon is depicted on the right bicep, as if illustrating the ultimate goal of a stubborn carp. The tail of the dragon ends on the left hand, where it is shown among the clouds. The man wears traditional Japanese underwear called a fundoshi (loincloth).

perseverance

On this tattoo, master Horijin depicted an episode of a famous Chinese parable about how a lioness mother carried her beloved little cub down into the gorge. She herself climbed the mountain, and from there she called him to her, encouraging him to make a difficult ascent. Thus, the lioness tried to teach him perseverance and endurance. This parable of the survival of the fittest symbolized the Confucian view of ideal parents who sacrifice their feelings so that their children grow up hardy and resilient.

Excerpt

This tattoo by Horijin shows Kurikara Kengoro, one of the noble robbers from the novel Suikoden. A scene is shown where the hero twists a bamboo stalk, trying to relieve anger and fighting the temptation to commit an evil deed. Next to him, the Buddhist deity Fudo, who patronizes him, is shown.

Jealousy

The tattoo was done, not without European influence, by Horiyoshi III, and shows the traditional appearance of the Japanese two-horned demon (oni), in this case the demon of jealousy. Japanese folklore often mentions jealous women who grow similar horns on their heads. During wedding ceremony they hide them under the bride's headdress. Nowadays, many young Japanese people prefer to get similar terrifying and outright hooligan tattoos to themselves, rather than stick to traditional plots.

Heikuro and snakes

For this tattoo, Master Horikin chose the image of Sagi-no-ike Heikuro, one of the 108 tattooed characters in the adventurous Chinese novel Suikoden, translated into Japanese by Kyokutei Bakin in 1805. The heroes of this work were glorified thanks to numerous engravings in the style of "ukiyo-e" (direction visual arts Japan during the Edo period) in the middle. XIX century, made by such famous artists as Utagawa, Kuniyoshi, Toyokuni and Kunisada. The tattoo shows Heikuro's deadly fight with a giant snake. The tattoo is done so skillfully that you feel the power of the writhing snake and the strength of the valiant Heikuro with every movement of the tattooed body.

Endurance

Peonies tattooed around the nipples and navel attract the butterfly, just as the waves running off the rocks attract the fearless carp. Above the solar plexus, Master Horijin placed the characters "shinobu", which means "endurance". This word has another meaning when applied to the secret symbolism of irezumi: "to be secretive, to live a secretive life."

transcendence

Horikin developed this design for his head ("the abode of all the senses"), which was then tattooed by Horigoro III, Horikin II (his brother and student), and Horyoshi III. Here the art of tattooing is combined with the art of calligraphy. The large red symbols are a form of the name of the deity Akala in Sanskrit. In small black characters, the name of the deity is repeated a hundred times, and the image itself resembles a seated Buddha. This is the second case of a head tattoo in Japanese history. The first belonged to Horikama, who died in 1932.

Characters from the Kabuki theater

This photo shows the tattoos of two people combined to show one of the scenes of a Kabuki performance, a traditional Japanese theatre. On the left, one of the heroic characters of the 17th century is shown trying to tear the mouth of a mythological snake-like monster (actually a sorcerer), while a frightened courtesan looks on (this character can be recognized by the belt - obi, tied in front, which is a comic allusion to that she spends a lot of time lying on her back due to her profession).

Vortex

Horikin is perhaps the most skilled and knowledgeable tattoo artist in modern Japan, and here is one of his the best works. In addition to the fact that the work shown is very complex in execution, it uses unusual colors- a combination of purple, white and yellow in addition to the more traditional black, green, red and blue flowers. This extensive tattoo covers the entire body of the customer, except for the face, hands and feet. Among the many images on the belly of the customer, one can see a dragon, a Buddhist prayer and two symbolic opposing images of whirling currents.

Trophy

In this case, another side of irezumi is shown - an image of a grotesque character, that is, an image of something strange, eccentric and even ugly. These tattoos by Master Horiyoshi show severed heads, reflecting the ancient samurai tradition of collecting the heads of slain enemies as trophies as proof of prowess. In combination with a Buddhist prayer going diagonally across the hips, this image can also be regarded as an oath to adhere to one's faith until death, and if necessary, lay down one's head for it. Both the artist and his client belong to the Horiyoshi clan, whose tattoos are often sadomasochistic in nature.

Eden (Paradise).

An even more grotesque image than the previous one. Young Japanese often get tattoos depicting something ugly and terrifying in their cruelty, as seen in this tattoo by Horiyoshi III. Cherry blossoms and petals are again shown here - sakura - the national flower of Japan, symbolizing the transience of life. In addition, the tattoo shows a snake - a tempter. Probably, here it was not without the influence of the Christian legend about the Garden of Eden, only in the Japanese vision. The composition is complemented by severed bloodied heads.

Seppuku

Seppuku. Tattoo by an unknown artist.

The tattoo shows a man after he committed ritual hara-kiri (suicide by cutting open the abdomen). This terrible rite is often called seppuku by the Japanese themselves.
It is believed that the rite of seppuku, like many other aspects of their culture and life, the ancestors of the Japanese borrowed from the practice of the aboriginal population of Japan - the Ainu. The rite was cultivated among the samurai class, and thus, the warrior could prove the strength of his spirit and purity of thoughts, or be rehabilitated before society and the gods in case of a serious misconduct. Usually, seppuku was committed by the verdict of the Court of Honor, and in the case of a voluntary death, due to a serious injury or illness, the danger of captivity, an unfulfilled order, or the impossibility of achieving the goal. Sometimes this suicide was committed by warriors who had lost their leader and patron, as a sign of devotion. The reason for suicide could be the most insignificant from the point of view of Europeans - the military class often flaunted their ability to accept a painful death at any moment in order to demonstrate to others their incredible fearlessness and achieve posthumous glory.

Taboo

Irezumi. Tattoos - prayer "Nam yoho renge kyo".

These people were tattooed by two artists - Horikin for the one on the left and Horigoro II for the one on the right. The prayer "Nam yoho renge kyo" ("Glory to the Lotus Sutra of good Dharma!") comes from the fanatical Buddhist sect Nichiren, founded in 1253, and now has about six million followers who are fond of singing and drumming. The followers of this teaching believe that the constant, sincere repetition of this prayer will help everyone achieve Nirvana. On the left is a man on whom the prayer is tattooed in red diagonally, from the right shoulder to the left thigh, and from the bottom up from the right thigh is the same prayer, executed in gold and upside down. The tattoo is done in this way, perhaps in order to show that the mercy of the Buddha extends in all directions and for everyone who believes in his power, no matter how vicious the person is. The special eccentricity of both tattoos lies in the fact that they even extend to the genitals. The penis is the last part of the human body that can be tattooed, as it is the most painful procedure of all. Two assistants have to keep the skin taut while the tattooist applies the design to tiny areas. Many customers at the same time lose consciousness from severe pain.

Water

The works of master Horikin delight with the skill of depicting living beings. It also slightly changes the traditional subject matter of the image. In this tattoo, young Kintaro is riding a slippery huge catfish, and a red goldfish makes its way to spawn up a falling stream on the other thigh. The Lotus Sutra runs obliquely along the left thigh. Another catfish is shown there, wedged into the inscription.

Fire and Water

Shown below are various tattoos done on the legs. Images as a whole fall under the definition of "the connection of two principles - yin and yang" - the eternal struggle of two opposite principles, due to which all changes occur in the world we observe. Flames and waves are shown, dragon claws and carp, autumn leaves and clouds, turtles and gods of fortune with bags overflowing with worldly goods, which they generously bestow on deserving people.

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