Definition
What is Japanese tattoo?
Japanese tattoo — rooted in the centuries-old Irezumi tradition — is a bold, narrative style centred on large-scale compositions covering entire body zones. Key motifs include koi fish, dragons, tigers, peonies, wind bars and water.
The style is defined by strong outlines, rich colour or black-and-grey shading, and a deep respect for composition as a whole (a sleeve or back piece reads as one continuous story). Modern artists adapt it with various levels of detail.
Examples
- Full-back dragon with wind bars and cherry blossoms
- Koi-fish sleeve with water flow
- Chest-piece peony with wave background