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Japanese Tattoos
Irezumi the Art of Japanese Tattoos
Japanese tattoos are regaining their popularity again amongst the middle classes. Ironically young Japanese people are going for tattoo designs that can be completed in one sitting such as the traditional American style tattoos or tribal tattoos. Traditional irezumi is still done by specialist tattooists. Because Japanese tattoos are so detailed they are also very time intensive and expensive. A traditional 'body suit' (covering the arms, back, upper legs and chest can take up to five years of once-a-week visits to complete and cost more than US$30,000 to complete!
© Tao of Tattoos
Japanese tattoos are referred to in Japanese as irezumi which literally means the insertion of ink under the skin leaving a permanent mark or tattoo. Tattooing in Japan is thought to extend back to at least 10,000 years. The Ainu people, the indigenous people of Japan, are known to have used tattoos for decorative and social purposes for many thousands of years.
© Tao of Tattoos
At the beginning of the Meiji period (running from around about 1868 to 1912) the Japanese government, wanting to project an image of a modern Japan to the west, outlawed tattoos, and irezumi took on connotations of criminality. Nevertheless, fascinated foreigners went to Japan seeking the skills of tattoo artists, and traditional tattooing continued underground.
© Tao of Tattoos
Tattooing was legalized by the occupation forces in 1945, but unfortunately has kept a lot of its association with criminality. For many years, traditional Japanese tattoos were associated with the Yakuza, Japan's notorious mafia, and many businesses in Japan (such as public baths, fitness centers and hot springs) still ban customers with tattoos.
© Tao of Tattoos
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Wrist Tattoo
Wrist tattoo tattooed by Red at Tribal Skribe Dundee, Scotland.
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Japanese Tattoo
This is my Japanese dragon tattoo. Done by Mase at ETERNAL INSTINCT, Australia. To this stage it took 6 hours. Still a few more left!
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Face Tattoo
Tattooed by Red. Red comes to us from Thailand working out of Tribal Skribe, Dundee, Scotland.
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Butterfly Tattoos
Tattooed by Heather Dewar 'tribal skribe', Dundee Scotland.
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New Skool Tattoo
Tattooed by Heather Dewar 'tribal skribe', Dundee Scotland.
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Japanese Mask Tattoo
Tattooed by Heather Dewar 'tribal skribe', Dundee Scotland.
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Japanese Tattoo
A Japanese Mask and dragon chestv and arm piece, it took approx 9 hours. The tattoo was done by Ray Tutty, at The Tattoo Studio, Pentre, Rhondda, South ...
Japanese Leg Sleeve Tattoo
This is a Japanese leg sleeve and has taken 9 hours so far and is located on the calf. The tattoo was done by Ray Tutty, at The Tattoo Studio, Pentre, Rhondda,...
Japanese Dragon Tattoo
This took approx 8 hours. It was done by Ray Tutty at The Tattoo Studio, Pentre, Rhondda, South Wales 01443 438664
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Wildlife Tattoo
Lion head tattooed by Heather Dewar at 'Tribal Skribe' Dundee, Scotland. Lots of love...
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Japanese Tiger Tattoo
Jim Sims tiger on leg tattooed by Heather Dewar 'Tribal skribe, Dundee, Scotland. Lots of love...
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Tribal Tattoo
This is one of my favorite tattoos. It took four hours I need to go back for my touch up. Reasons why I chose this and its location, Med purposes I get ...
Sexy Hawaiian Flowers Tattoo Design
My tattoo is a side piece of Hawaiian flowers for part nationality. It took 2 1/2 months to do. Very painful sittings. The artist that did my work is Rick ...
Butterfly Tattoo on Hand
Butterfly on hand tattooed by Heather Dewar at Tribal Skribe, Dundee, Scotland.
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Koi Fish Tattoo
Koi fish tattooed by Heather Dewar at 'Tribal Skribe', Dundee, Scotland. This is a cover up of a pissed mouse :-)
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Replicate Deric Hess Tattoo
3 HOURS TO DO. TATTOOED BY HEATHER DEWAR TRIBAL SKRIBE, DUNDEE, SCOTLAND. DUNDEE'S FEMALE TATTOO ARTIST.
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Portrait Tattoo
Portrait of young Gareth on motor bike tattooed by Heather Dewar at Tribal Skribe in Dundee, Scotland.
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Traditional Japanese Tattoo
This tattoo is original, please comment.
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Japanese Kanji Tattoo
Japanese symbols going down my spine.
Extremely Sexy Lilly Tattoo on Leg
It took 4 and a half hours. The artist was Dave Clarkeson from Dawlish.
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Irezumi - Koi Tattoo
It only took 12 hours all in all for the session. I called for a 3 session coz i wanna forget the pain, however it took me to 3 weeks all in all for the ...
Dragon and Dagger Tattoo
Got it on a recent trip to Guam. A little place called 'Black Dragon Tattoo'. Took about 3 hours.
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Cover Up Tattoo
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The tattoo was done by XyllieArt in the Netherlands. It was a tattoo with a name in it. It's took about 2 hours.
Download lots of wicked tattoo ...
Japanese Warrior Tattoo
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Still in progress, done on Paul's arm and chest. Paul is big into his martial arts and has trained over in japan. He asked me if we could sit down and ...
Skull Tattoo Black and Gray
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Script tattoo black and gray tattooed by Red at Tribal Skribe, Dundee, Scotland.
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Script Tattoo
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Script tattoo black and gray tattooed by Red at Tribal Skribe, Dundee, Scotland.
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Boxing Gloves
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Boxing gloves black and gray. Tattooed by Red at Tribal Skribe, Dundee, Scotland.
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Koi Fish Cover Up
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Koi fish cover up tattooed by Heather Dewar at Tribal Skribe, Dundee, Scotland.
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New Skool Dead Head
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New skool dead head tattooed by Heather Dewar at Tribal Skribe, Dundee, Scotland.
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Japanese Folk Tattoo
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Ryu O Taro.......tattoo artist is Aaron Coleman - Immaculate Tattoo - Mesa Arizona........ I just started my back piece and completed the outline in one ...
Stars Tattooed on Girl's Back
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Tattooed by Alan Proctor - Tribal Skribe, Dundee, Scotland.
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Scorpion Tattoo
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Tattooed by Alan Proctor - Tribal Skribe, Dundee, Scotland.
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Large Koi Fish Tattoo
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Tattooed by Alan Proctor - Tribal Skribe, Dundee, Scotland.
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Maori Tattoo
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Tattooed by Red - Tribal Skribe, Dundee, Scotland.
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Hanya Mask Tattoo
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Tattooed by Heather Dewar at 'Tribal Skribe', Dundee, Scotland. Dundee's female tattoo artist.
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Japanese Style Tattoo
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Artist Bags took 3 hrs ... idol mask under water.
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Japanese Dragon Tattoo
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This is 7 hours into the dragon.
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Koi Fish Tattoo
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This one is by Danielle Madore of Sancutary Tattoo in Portland Maine. She did the most beautiful job. It took just over 4 hours to complete. I love it....
Japanese Dragon Tattoo
Work in Progress
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I tattooed this on my cousin 07/09. It is a Japanese dragon. This is about 3 hours of work and is no where complete.
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Japanese Snake Mask Tattoo
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This is a Japanese mask with snake tattoo, it took approx 2 and a half hours and is located on the forearm. The tattoo was done by Ray Tutty, at The Tattoo ...
Koi Fish Tattoo Sleeve
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This Sleeve has taken a about 12 hours so far, and was done by Ray Tutty, at The Tattoo Studio, Pentre, Rhondda, South Wales.
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Japanese Tattoo on Side
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My tattoo is black and grey and on my ribs. it took 16 hours from start to finish and it was very painful..the artist who designed my tattoo and also applied ...
Japanese Cherry Blossoms, Lotus, and Dragonfly Tattoo
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This was a two session tattoo. The cherry blossoms, lotus and dragon fly took 2.5 hrs with one break included.
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Japanese Cherry Blossoms, Lotus, Dragonfly, Peony Flower Tattoo
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This was a two session tattoo. the cherry blossoms, lotus and dragonfly took 2.5 hrs with one break included and the peony tattoo was a cover up from and ...
King Cobra Tattoo on Chest
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Um I got the outline about one year ago it took 40 minutes but it took like an hour to find the right design. The artist is Brett.
I got it finished ...
Black and Grey Japanese Sleeve
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I have a 3/4 black and grey Japanese sleeve that took about 8 hours so far and a couple to go, also black and grey pin-up nurse on my ribcage.
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Koi Fish Tattoo
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This my koi fish. Any ideas for my inner arm?
Raylee in Pico Rivera.
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Tribal Back Tattoo
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Tribal influenced by Polynesian design from BLADE the movie character.
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Hanya Tattoo
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3hour to finish colour black n grey.
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Oriental Tattoo
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It symbolizes the balance of life . And this was done by Delson Gonzaga of Skindigaz
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Japanese Dragon Tattoo
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First take 2 1/2 hours. next when is over 3 weeks.
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Black Fleur-de-lis Tattoo
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I got my tattoo at BodyTech in Gainesville, FL by an awesome guy named Charles. It's the fleur-de-lis symbol of Florence, Italy, where I studied abroad ...
Japanese Tattoo
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I recently got this tattoo of a warrior and dragon fighting, along with a Buddhist protection tattoo (the temple at my neck). They both took two (2) days ...
Japanese Koi Fish Tattoo
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My tattoo was done By Joel at 'True Colours' Tattoo studio in Gladstone Queensland Australia.
It was finished in six two hour sessions. Joel is a great ...
Japanese Koi
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I have a tattoo of a Japanese koi swimming through a waterfall on my leg. It was done by Bryan Reynolds at All or Nothing Tattoos. It took approximately ...
Traditional Irezumi
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There is approximately 60+ hours of chair time for these tats so far; it is a work in progress. With the exception of some early work, I am proud to say ...
Koi Fish Tattoo
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The design is two koi for the star sign Pisces. It was done by Jay on Phi Phi Island, Thailand with the bamboo over a single session that lasted 12 hours,...
Japanese Koi Fish Tattoo
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Black, shaded koi with white highlights on my right arm, inside my elbow. It took about three hours to complete and was done at 'Bills Custom Tattoos' on ...
Stars Tattoo as Memorial
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I got this tattoo for my dad because I am his star. My mum and dad broke up about 2 years ago and this had a major effect on me because I now hardly see ...
Japanese Design and Kanji Tattoo
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Took 3-4 hours. Tribute Tattoo for my brother Jason.
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Japanese Dragon Tattoo
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It's my side piece that has been worked on in 3 different sittings, 12 hours total. Done by Sal at Ez Tattoo in Scottsdale, AZ on Scottsdale Rd. & 2nd ...
Japanese Koi Fish Tattoo on Back
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Koi done by Chaz from Tattoo City Wellington.
2 sessions,approx. 6-7hrs total.
This was the 2nd tattoo I got,and after receiving the first it didn't ...
Japanese Dragon Backpiece Tattoo
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Large Japanese dragon back piece. Not a traditional Japanese piece, more of an original piece with a Japanese style :)
Got it done at Body Craft in ...
Cherry Blossom Tattoo
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It's a Cherry Blossom tattoo that I got because of the meaning of Spiritual Growth within myself. I took a little while to do it. I got a local artist ...
Blackwork Tattoo
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Black half sleeve including armpit. Took 12 hours. Still a work in progress. Done by Martin at 'Underground Tattoos' in Watford, UK.
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Japanese Koi Tattoo Design
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My tattoo took 20hours,and was done in 2hr sittings by a very talented young man named Sean Dixon who works out of 'Yankee tattoo Studios', Dundee, Scotland....
Oriental Style Tattoo
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My last tattoo that make Luke Red from Italy.
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