Inspiration: Asian Style Tattoos

Traditional Japanese tattoos are intricate pageants of rich design. An art that has matured into perfection, Japanese tattooing originated from the woodblock prints of the late Edo period (1804-1868). The Japanese technique is called tebori (“to carve by hand”) — using bundled needles at the end of a bamboo stick to insert charcoal ink into the skin. The technique of tebori matured into the chiaroscuro (dark and light) coloring and shading of the Japanese tattoo we know today.

Asian-style tattoos are no longer created using tebori and are characterized by Chinese and Japanese imagery. Images frequently used in Asian art include cranes, dragons, fish, tigers, samurai warriors and Buddhist deities. Kanji (Japanese writing characters adapted from Chinese characters) are also a feature of Asian-style tattoos.

Lets look at some modern tattoos with Asian inspiration. I know these are all the rage these days with koi fish, kabuki warriors & the likes, but are these just a passing fad? If you think so let us know in the comments and now on to some fine and not so fine examples of modern day Asian inspired tattoos:

Conclusion

So with anything tattoo these days, will it last the test of time? I’m not sure that these people are still going to appreciate their body art when they are 80, but right now it looks pretty cool. What are your thoughts on this style of asian art, will it last? Also, if you know any kick ass Asian tattooers let us know in the comments, I’d love to see their work. Till next time, Lucas out!

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