Japanese Back Tattoo Designs

Japanese tattoo is called irezumi or horimono in Japanese. In Japan, tattoo is usually considered to be a symbol of a yakuza (Japanese mafia) and tends to be perceived negatively by people. For example, many public bath facilities in Japan inhibit customers who have tattoos from entering. Traditional Japanese tattoo covers arms, shoulders, and the back. In recent years, it's becoming popular for Japanese young people to get contemporary tattoos. Tattoo events are often held in big cities, and there are many Japanese tattoo shops in Japan. It's good to contact them before

The history of Japanese tattoos goes way back - they have been around for many, many years. This doesn’t mean however that they are necessary the right ones for you. You see there’s a catch with these tattoos. They’re very big, often covering the entire back, they are awfully expensive and they come in their own flavors, inspired by the Japanese culture.

The sad fact is that you will not find a tattoo parlor in the yellow pages who can make such incredible artwork. This tattoo requires a Japanese artist, but anyway a trip to Japan might be worth the trouble.

There is another catch. This is not the sort of tattoo to show off to your friends. Japanese are way more subtle than this. They are supposed to be shown only to your girlfriend or boyfriend, or occasionally to the local Yakuza mob. Yep you are reading right, this is what subtlety is in Japan, I have heard that they are still working on it. Nobody gets it right in the first place you know? Also these tattoos will hurt… a lot, because they are still doing the whole damn thing manually, so for every dot of the tattoo expect a needle expertly inserted in your skin, that if you’re lucky of course and through the expert hand there isn’t some sake flowing.

Japanese tattoo

Japanese tattoo

Japanese tattoo

Japanese tattoo

Japanese tattoo

Chinese Tattoo

The art of tattooing in China actually dates back much farther then its in the West. Until very late in the 20th century and mainly in the early 21st century, tattooing becomes fashion in the West. The art of tattooing has a long history in Asian including China, Japan, and even Thailand. What are ironic about these are Chinese tattoos were mostly used in many of the Asian cultures to mark criminals and other social deviants. However in Asia since tattooing was done in criminals and social deviants most designs were very large and often full body pieces especially in Japan. These often are very expensive designs and time consuming and also led many western tattoo enthusiasts to opt for Chinese tattoos.

Chinese Tattoo

Regardless of the Chinese tattoos have been widely adopted into the western tattoo lexicon, the mystique and foreignness of an Chinese tattoo and the beauty of Chinese and Japanese writing have really sparked a lot of interest among western tattoo enthusiasts. There are many beautiful Chinese designs well to tattooing. Recently there has been a huge rise in these fields of tattooing. With popular TV shows like Miami Heat in LA Inc. being broadcast on national TV, more and more people are getting tattoos. The particular fascination for many is Chinese tattoo symbols and designs. The beautiful script used in Chinese tattoos led itself well to creating mysterious and ancient looking tattoos. It is not easily discernible by the average Westerner. Therefore, when you consider getting a Chinese or Japanese tattoo, you are well advised to check their overall design especially the writing with a native speaker of the language. It is because here are many incidents where a person is purchased a flash tattoo at a tattoo shop thinking that it meant one thing later find out that that's a totally different.

Chinese Tattoo

There are a wide variety of beautiful Chinese tattoo designs throughout Asian cultures. The most common Chinese tattoos are often the representative of important values, such as a simple word that represents themes like love, strength, and power. For those who wish to embellish their tattoo with smaller themes designs they can easily accompany Chinese Japanese writing a script. Men will get Tiger, lion, or dragon to accompany the Chinese tattoo design. On the other hand, women will tend to opt for more delicate designs such as the cherry blossom, yin yang symbol, or a koi fish design. Another common tattoo among western tattoo enthusiasts is to seek a translation of something important in the Chinese. It is very common to get the names of their children translated into Chinese and the tech to them on their shoulders arms or back.

Sun Tattoo

Sun tattoo is very popular and common that it is hard to find a distinctively unique sun design. There are many reasons why so many people choose sun symbol for tattooing. It is various according to the person’s culture, beliefs, and personal preferences.

The most common reason why the sun tattoo is still very popular in the first place is that the sun symbolizes vitality and the cycle of life. The sun shine is shine representing that life is short. Therefore, it is suggested be lived to the fullest. The rising of the sun means a new day is about to begin. The worries of yesterday should be a thing of the past. This then serves as a reminder to enjoy the sun while it is shining.


In the ancient times, a sun tattoo could also have deeper spiritual connotations. A sun tattoo represents divine power and the bearer usually holds a position of authority within their religious circle. The sun would rise again after a night of darkness symbolizes the sun’s ability to give life. This sun tattoo also symbolizes immortality, and reincarnation.

In the Asian culture, there is Yin-Yang philosophy, the good and evil symbolism, and the symbol for balance. There is sun tattoo combined with moon tattoo. This combination is believed to be a union of the male and female power, sexually and spiritually speaking. It also fit for the philosophy of yin-yang.

Sun could also be considered as a symbol of light and goodness. It is pureness of the soul, or at least an attempt to emulate the concept of goodness. Therefore, some people especially the intellectuals or those who fancy themselves as one, the sun tattoo have the meaning of learning and knowledge for an ignorant mind, just as the sun would bring light to darkness.

Sun Tattoo

Sun Tattoo

Sun Tattoo

Sun Tattoo