Japanese style tattoos are the perfect choice for people who are of Japanese descent and want to pay homage to their culture, or for people who love the Japanese art style.

If you are thinking about getting a Japanese style tattoo, it is a good idea to research Japanese artwork and the meanings associated with different characters and backgrounds. It is also worth thinking about the tattoo method and placement.

Tattoo methods

According to Lighthouse Tattoo Studio in Sydney, who are specialists in Japanese Tattooing, Japanese style tattoos would traditionally have been done by hand using needles attached to bamboo sticks. This style of tattooing is known as Tebori (meaning carved or engraved).

Nowadays, tattooing is almost always done by machine, which is referred to in Japanese as Kikaibori. Some artists still practice the Tebori style, but they may still do the outline using a machine.

Lighthouse is one of the places where you can get a traditional tattoo using the Tebori method, depending on how appropriate the piece is. To find out more, check out www.lighthousetattoo.com.au.

Tattoo placements

If you are considering getting a Japanese style tattoo, it is worth bearing in mind that you will probably need to have a reasonably large area for it to sit in.

Japanese style artwork is intricate and does not often translate well to a small image, so you will need to think about getting your Japanese style tattoo on your arm, leg or back.

The forearm can be a good location for a Japanese style tattoo as it is easily covered with a sleeve if you need to be in a more formal situation, but you can easily roll up your sleeve to show off your tattoo as well.

If you are really sure of your design and you want to go big, the chest and the back allow you a lot of room for your artist to explore your chosen design in detail.

Tattoo background

Typically, Japanese tattoo designs are made up of both the main design featuring a character and a background. We will go on to discuss characters in a moment.

The background of the tattoo is often in shades of black and grey because this helps the color of the main design to pop more effectively. Often, Japanese tattoo backgrounds are made up of natural elements representing the seasons, like bars for the wind. You should consider tying the background you choose with the foreground to create a story.

Tattoo design

Now, onto the design itself. There are too many potential Japanese tattoo designs to list them all here, but something to bear in mind is the meaning associated with the image you choose and whether that is a meaning you want to represent on your body. Some ideas are:

• In Japanese culture, cats are associated with good luck and they can be interpreted in a lot of different ways to create a great tattoo design.
• Cherry blossom. This is probably what people think of most often when they think of Japan, and the soft colors make for a beautiful tattoo design. In nature, cherry blossoms do not last long, so images of them are used to signify life and impermanence. There are also links to joy because people are happy when the trees blossom.
• A cloud tattoo can look striking, particularly if you opt for the bold wispy design known as kumo. These clouds represent masculinity, as well as impermanence and change.