So we have come full circle now and this is the last in our Japanese Tattoo series for now. Although we will be publishing some articles soon on Japanese tattoos this is kind of the last featured post about Japanese tattoos through videos. We have kind of come full circle now of sorts. When we started we talked about tattooing for the Japanese in a historical perspective and how it was used to brand criminals. Then this was later outlawed and subsequently adopted by Yakuza. They would get full body tattoos that when you wear clothes no one could see but a small reveal of such a tattoo could strike fear in others.
Thus tradition lead to some of the most beautiful full body tattoo designs ever done and we even saw where people are buying the skin of a tattooed person who has died. There was some of these skins preserved at Tokyo University. Pretty chilling to hear as they talk about these being sold on the black market. Not sure how you would ever find your way into buying one of these but that is another post for a latter time. Suffice it to say it is probably not being sold on eBay.
Then in our more recent or last post we saw some video and a short documentary how many of the young people in Japan are getting tattoos. However they are in no way affiliated with the Yakuza and they just love the art form of tattooing. Thus has been the more significant trend over the last ten to 15 years and now many young Japanese show off their tattoos like here in the West.
Well in today’s video we make it full circle because recently the San Francisco Japanese Museum had an exhibit where they displayed some of the full body traditonal Japanese tattoos in their gallery as an art exhibit. They also invited many of the top Japanese tattoo artists to come from Japan to do tattooing.
Welcome to the 4th post in our series on Japanese tattoos. You will remeber in the first post we talked about the connection between tattoos and the Yakuza. It noted how early in Japanese history criminals were tattooed as a form of punishment. Thus making them untouchables. Thus lead to the modern day Yakuza tattooing themselves to make them stand out away from society as individuals and etc. I was more eloquent hopefully in the last post. However, what is happening today is the younger generations in Japan have adopted Western ways more and more. So along with this adoption of western norms has come a new breed of tattoo aficionado. Today many young people get tattoos for the pure sake of the art and the beauty of it and have no connection with the Yakuza. You could start to see that a little bit in the last video and you will see it even more in this video.
Today we will continue the series on Japanese tattoo designs. Remember that yesterday in our post we watched an older history channel video that was showing the connection between Japanese tattoos and the Yakuza. Today we are going to venture off the more documentary side of things and instead show a nicely done video that just shows images and pictures of tattoos. Many of these are Yakuza full body suits of tattoos however not all of them are. In fact that is one of reasons why this video and post seems appropriate. It shows a lot of Yakuza tattoos but also you start to see some images of tattoos on younger men that are just getting the tattoo because they love the art form and they love tattoos.
One little vocabulary lesson before you jump into the video however. Tattoos in Japanese are called Irezumi. Interesting vocabulary fact.
Here is a good video done by National Geographic. It shows the traditional side of getting tattoos. Now keep in mind that this video was done probably 15 or so years ago. Things have changed some since then. However, it shows the the history of tattooing within Japan.
Originally the Japanese government would brand and tattoo people who were criminals. THus lead to tattoos being outlawed. However, the Japanese Yakuza adapted this and went underground in a way by developing full body tattoos that could be hidden. Thus the full body tattoo suit would not cover past the wrist, ankle and typically has a space down the middle front of the body so when wearing clothes the tattoos are hidden.
Remember however, that this video was done in the past and tattooing has taken a major turn in Japanese culture. Yes there are still Yakuza and yes there are still many Yakuza who are getting full body tattoo suits. However, tattoos have also become more popular now and the younger generation is starting to get tattoos for the sake of art and body adornment and not necessarily tied with any Yakuza affiliation.
What do you think about this video and the tattoos? We will continue this series on Japanese Tattoos and in the next post look at some other Japanese Tattoo videos.
Typically people think of wing tattoos for women. Yet there are many guys that also like to get wing tattoos. It is not only a feminine tattoo design. Many men like to think of having wings. It can be a symbol for speed, strength and power! So give it a thought guys.
Star tattoos are very popular and a great design choice for many people. If you are getting your first tattoo or maybe your tenth tattoo a star design might be exactly what you are looking for. There are many different options and choices in terms of what type of star tattoo you can get. This article will look at some of the most common and popular tattoo designs of stars.
Nautical Star Designs
Nautical stars of course are a classic old school tattoo design that was originated by some of the early sailors who are really pioneers in the field of modern tattoo design. They would get nautical star tattoos because they felt it represented good luck and a safe journey home. Today the nautical star design can represent not only a safe journey home but it is also an important symbol that portrays the significance of following your own path in life and living life on your own terms and not just following whatever the status quo is.
Shooting Stars Designs
Shooting stars are another very popular option for a tattoo design. These can be done as very large pieces that can be used to complete a full sleeve tattoo design or can be a very small and cute feminine hip tattoo. That is one of the benefits of a shooting star tattoos, they are very flexible. The design of course can be done in a variety of styles from something very cartoonish to a more traditional look.
Cluster Of Stars Designs
Another very popular option if you are looking at tattoo designs of stars is to get a cluster of stars covering an area on your body. This is more typical to women but men can also get these tattoos. For women they will often get a series of small star tattoos in a variety of bright inks and cluster them together and space them across their lower or upper back for example. They can slow work well for women as a tattoo design for a foot tattoo or hip tattoo.
Star And Moon Designs
One other option that people often get is to have a cluster or group of stars with a moon. Again this can be done as a moon with a cartoon face and a groupd of clouds and stars around it or it can be done more realistic. The style is really up to you and what kind of tattoo your catch your attention. However star and moon designs work very well togheter. In fact it is pretty easy to see that a moon with stars spreading out from the left and right of it could make a nice rectangular tattoo design that would work well as a lower back tattoo.
Whatever you choose you really can’t go wrong with a tattoo designs of stars. There are so many choices and styles out there you are bound to find something that will catch your attention. Of course if you get frustrated with trying to find a design online or from the flash available in your local tattoo shop then you might want to try working with a tattoo artist who will do some custom design work for you.
Shooting star tattoo designs can look really hot and they are very popular for both men and women. Of course men and women often get them in different places and with a little different styles but overall shooting star tattoos look hot either way.
You can find a wide variety of shamrock tattoo designs and tons of people who love to show off their shamrock tattoo. However what does the shamrock really stand for and what is the symbolism behind it? Any people know that it is an important plant for the Irish and many people eve know that in some way it ties into the Celtic culture. Yet many people don’t know much more then just a basic understanding. Well, this can make for a great tattoo design. In this article you will learn more about the symbolism behind the shamrock tattoo and some of the most common understandings of the symbolism of it. You will also learn some possible locations to get a shamrock tattoo and also some design choices that you can think about to come up with an original and unique design.
Shamrock Tattoo Symbolism
Of course most people are pretty quick to make the association with this green three leafed plant and the Irish. However, not everyone knows that the shamrock also represent the holy trinity and the early Celtic tribes. You see the shamrock was originally used in the Celtic tribes. They would often draw a shamrock into their illuminated books and art work. Shamrocks would also show up in the sculpture and knotwork patterns throughout the Celtic cultures. When the Catholic church came into Ireland and started to convert the Celtic and Gallic people it is highly likely that they say the importance of these shamrock as a symbol to these people. So they simply showed that the shamrock was a Catholic symbol that represented the Trinity. Since there are three petals on the plant it is easy for them to state that each petal represents one part of the trinity such as Jesus, God and the Holy Spirit.
Locations For A Shamrock Tattoo
Really with any tattoo where you choose to get the design inked permanently onto your body is really a matter of a personal choice. Since shamrock tattoo can easily be done in a variety of different sizes they can easily fit into any location on your body. So females might like that shamrock tattoo design integrating into a lower back tattoo design. If they want something smaller the shamrock can also go on the foot, hip or ankle area. In any of these areas it will look very sexy. For men typically the shamrock tattoo is done on the shoulder, calf area, forearm or on the shoulder blades on their back.
Additions And Variations
If you are looking to expand someone on the simple shamrock tattoo design you can easily be original and different by making some small tweaks to the tattoo design. For example instead of doing a realistic green shamrock you could find a Celtic knotwork shamrock and have it done as a Celtic tattoo. It can also look great in the middle of a large Celtic Cross tattoo design.
As you can see the shamrock tattoo is a very versatile design and very easy to get inked. It will not cost an arm and a leg to get a the tattoo done.
Entries (RSS)