Japanese Tattoos

Japanese tattoos have a long history throughout the country and the entire region as well. Tattoos have been used in Japan since the earliest settlers arrived there and covered their faces in tattoos.  While these early tattoo artists have been well documented, many in Japan believe people with tattoos represent the harder sides of society. They are often though to be either from the Japanese mafia, or from lower classes of the culture. Yet with all of this history of tattoos, Japanese tattoos have flourished not just in their society, but in the western world as well.

Many people in America get Japanese or Chinese writing for their tattoo. Sometimes they write a phrase or meaning, other times they simply write their name. If you choose to have this done research first into what you actually want to say. Many websites have translators that will translate anything into Japanese for you. Japanese writing is not very simple. There are actually three different types of writing; a combination of all three is what is generally used to write. For words of a foreign decent, only one form of writing is used, this is called Katakana. So if you want to write you name, or say a message that may not translate well into Japanese, you will likely have it written in Katakana. Look into it first so you can find out what it should look like before you go into the tattoo parlor.

Words are not the only symbols of Japan though; many tattoos are of elaborate drawing of dragons or other creatures. Many tattoos in Japan cover the entire back of the person and can take months to complete. A tattoo such as this is a true commitment to the tattoo. Even with a shirt on, these tattoos can be seen if not covered properly, so consider how the tattoo may affect your life before you go and do it.

Japanese tattoos are beautiful, historical, and detailed in so many ways. Whichever tattoo you choose to get, there is no doubt that you will find something that best suits you and your personality.