Japanese tattoos are characterized by their artistic designs and deeply rooted traditions. Although they are often designed as a body suite, they surprise with a variety of different motifs. The backgrounds are usually dark and show depictions of waves, wind or clouds. These are then adorned with images from Japanese mythology such as dragons, demons, koi, lions and tigers. Other popular motifs include phoenixes, snakes, cherry blossoms and women's faces.
Japan can look back on a long tradition of tattooing. Artistic tattoos were already being engraved at the time of the Ainu, the ancient Japanese people who lived from 14,000 to 30 BC. Irezumi, which literally means "to ink", describes the traditional Japanese art of tattooing, which involves working with a wooden handle and iron needles.
These tattoos are true works of art and offer a vivid connection to Japan's rich history and culture.
