15 Traditional Japanese Tattoo Designs and Meanings

/ 13 Comments

Japanese tattoo designs are alluring because it is both open and clandestine at the same time. Japanese tattoos sport detailed images and scenes that can be comprehended with scrutinizing looks, but at the same time, backed by the rich Japanese culture and history it features allusions which is not common knowledge. Japanese tattoos are hardly ever small or inconspicuous. They are generally always large, covering your entire body and definitely always colourful and vibrant.

japanese tattoo designs

The art of tattooing in Japan goes back to Jomon period. People then had no machines and had to rely on crude tools. In the Yayoi period, the Japanese began to use tattoos as a symbol of social status. Today the Japanese tattoos continue to be as exquisite as it used to be all those years ago. Are you looking to get some great new ink? Do all of the tattoo designs you have looked at so far really stink? Take action now with these simple guidelines. No matter which Japanese tattoo art you have chosen, before getting it tattooed, make sure that you’re 100% happy with it.

Modern Japanese Tattoo Designs with Pictures:

Japanese style tattoos are thus definitely more complicated than most western tattoos and also more meaningful. Here are some of the traditional and best Japanese tattoo designs for men and women with images and meanings.

1. Japanese Lion Tattoo on Chest:

best-japanese-tattoo-designs-and-meanings14

The lions were playing an important role in the Judeo Christian traditions and from there; Japanese got a familiarity of putting those tattoos on them. Japanese lion tattoo is believed to contain knowledge lost to the rest of the world. In Japanese tradition, Japanese lion tattoo is considered as a symbolic of God’s word for humanity. Lion is the symbol of sun and embodiment of passion as tiger. So the people can choose these kinds of lion tattoos. People love lion tattoos not only for its cool looks but also for its rich symbolic meanings. Some of them tattooed Japanese tiger tattoos on their chest with colors.

2. Full Body Japanese Style Tattoo Art:

best-japanese-tattoo-designs-and-meanings11

Japanese tattoo art is the most widely used in Japanese culture. Japanese tattoo art can be made up with well-versed tattoo designers. In general Japanese tattoos are having a dragon, koi themes with a lot of extreme beautiful colors. Each and every art has its own themes with beautiful elegant color and designs. People do choose them according to their Japanese tattoo names that shine up their life. Many dark colors with their shadows are used for the tattoo’s look as much as beautiful.

See More: Indian Tattoo Designs For Women

3. Traditional Japanese Tattoo for Women’s:

best-japanese-tattoo-designs-and-meanings13

Nowadays traditional Japanese tattoos are gaining popularity amongst the Japanese youths. Traditional Japanese tattoo designs with medusa picture is having a myth where the people who look at this image will become a statue. Having this traditional Japanese tattoo is having a great story behind it. The traditional Japanese tattoo contains any kind of god or traditional or any spirit pictures on their designs.

4. Japanese Skull and Flower Tattoo Designs For Men:

best-japanese-tattoo-designs-and-meanings12

In Japanese culture, they have to wear the tattoo as it will show their self-discipline, honor, and loyalty. Each and every man should have the tattoo on their full body like a stylish and fashionable. It gives more attraction for the women and teenagers. The astonishing things with Japanese tattoo, however, they can maintain their own style and people still appreciate the authentic traditional style only. Japanese tattoo designs for men is available in a variety of styles and designs depends on the season.

5. Japanese Sword with a Snake Tattoo Design for Girls:

A Japanese sword with a snake

Japanese sword are supposed to be one of the best kinds in the world. Ancient Japanese warriors were well known for their sword wielding skills. Japanese swords tattoos are represent strength, authority and even people’s cultural heritage. Wearing the tattoo of Japanese sword on the snake will show the meaning of pride, rebirth, defense and fertility. It means the individual struggle in life and fighting overcomes it. This simple Japanese tattoo also looks amazing with its carvings and inscriptions.

See More: Tattoo Designs For Kids Names

6. Half Sleeve Japanese Lady Tattoo Design for Women:

A Japanese lady

Today, many people feel proud wearing the Japanese style tattoos for their beautiful artistic merits, flowing composition and the deep meaning associated with it. Having tattoos designed with the face of a Japanese lady looks beautiful. Getting a Japanese ladies with their faces painted look beautiful. Thus a Japanese lady for a tattoo is an excellent idea. These tattoo designs are so beautiful that even men opt for them!

7.  Full Body Japanese Soldier Tattoo:

A Japanese soldier

The full black is the most popular choice for a Japanese tattoo and inking this design on the back of a soldier having the sword is another popular option for tattoos. Japanese warriors have always been know for their immense knowledge of the martial arts, their skill and not to forget their courage. A tattoo of a Japanese warrior in action not only looks amazing but also expresses a sense of deep power and strength. Men are perfectly suitable to wear this type of Japanese tattoo design.

8. Full Sleeve Japanese Demon Tattoo with Flowers:

Japanese tattoo of a demon and flowers

This is another typical design for a sleeve Japanese tattoo. Like all other tattoos this one too is colourful and attention seeking. The demon tattoos are the reflection of the mind in the human. If we get this demon tattoos in our body, it gives the meaning of overcoming our fears which will then make us become stronger one from others influences. This Japanese demon and flowers tattoo will help you to know the darkest side of your mind and how to freshen your mind from other problems. It represents the defeat of evil forces. Mostly men ready to flaunt this type of uneven tattoos.

See More: Laser Treatment For Tattoo Removal

9. Best Japanese Waves Tattoo for Girls:

Japanese tidal waves

Japan being an island is subject to horrifying tidal waves. However it faces these waves with courage and always emerges victorious. Thus waves mean a lot to Japan and Japanese tattoos often feature great body length waves with flowers and symbols here and there.

10. Japanese Dragon Tattoo Design for Mens:

best-japanese-tattoo-designs-and-meanings10

Japanese dragon tattoo is the representation of bravery and strength of the person who put on their body. These are the very famous Japanese tattoo designs for men and women in their modern world. Dragon Japanese tattoos are very fashionable amongst every age of people for a long period many dragon tattoos are designed as spiritual one. Through online searching, you can get plenty of designs for Japanese dragon tattoos.

11. Japanese Kanji Tattoo Design for Men:

The Japanese kanji tattoo

The kanji are lettering used to write in Japanese. This description however does not sufficiently describe the beauty of the kanji. These lettering are not like the English alphabets, they are a beautiful set of symbols which make amazing tattoos when interwoven with flowers, leaves and other such patterns. Bamboo trees and kanji words with a few other Japanese symbols look striking! Besides the inability of people to read kanji, lends it an enigmatic look.

12. A Japanese Tattoo Cherry Blossom Tree Design:

A Japanese cherry blossom tree

The cherry blossoms tree tattoo on her back looks so beautiful with an elegant pink flower that grows on cherry blossom tree. Many people get admire with the soft red Japanese flower tattoo of cherry blossom tattoos as they have a strong belief in cherry blossoms that characterize beauty and the delicateness of the human’s life. It has elegant colors and dark bends and gives the perfect realistic look of the blossom tree with its flowers.

 

13. The Beautiful Koi Fish Japanese Tattoo on Thigh:

The beautiful koi fish tattoo

The koi are strikingly beautiful fish. Their aesthetic appeal is greatly treasured as a breathing piece of art. Thus, a koi tattoo is an excellent choice to beautify your body. Visually appealing, colourful like the most precious gems, the koi tattoo will never let you down. An upstream koi generally signifies a struggle in your life which you wish to overcome, while a downstream one symbolizes that you have already surpassed that stage of difficulty. This is very finest Japanese tattoo design on thies.

14. Motif Japanese Dragon Tattoo on Back:

dragon-motif-japanese-tattoo

The dragon is the legendary fire-breathing creature that holds immense power and importance in Japanese myths. Japanese dragon tattoo designs are minutely detailed and look mystic and awe-inspiring. They generally show the dragon as a magnificent beast with massive wings and a fire-breathing snout! The colours used are vibrant and attract the attention of all the onlookers. The tattoo itself is irresistibly good.

15. Japanese Tribal Tattoo Sleeves:

best-japanese-tattoo-designs-and-meanings15

Tribal is a popular form of abstract art. Usually, they are a solid black but have come a long way. Japanese tribal tattoos include bold colors and effects that neither were nor used a while black. You can get many types of interesting tribal designs either standing alone in solid black or with other elements added to it.  Japanese tribal tattoos come in a variety of subjects that people love as like tribal dragons, suns and animals.

The art of Japanese tattoos were gaining a great popularity over the years. Those tattoos have come a long way by representing the Japanese culture and tradition as a whole. Have something by wearing the traditional, tribal and some other Japanese tattoos. Ranging from a koi fish to an immortal combat scene, every Japanese tattoo is having its own meaning. Be sure to choose the significant one after knowing its meaning.

Image Source: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15.