Totally Sweet Tattoo Ideas

Those Crazy Kanji
Perhaps the most popular of all Japan-inspired tattoo ideas is the kanji character, whether positioned as a singular symbol or situated among many in order to represent a particular Japanese phrase. You’ve probably witnessed many examples of this alluring Asian imagery in your lifetime, both the expertly inked and the poorly prepared. (Note: Be sure to check out the in-depth Totally Sweet Tattoo Ideas guide to the importance of researching and understanding your Asian language tattoo ideas before making them a permanent reality!)

Kanji characters and Japanese lettering are attractive tattoo options because of their transcendent beauty and visual appeal. Many folks also enjoy the relative secrecy and optionally private nature of a kanji tattoo; unless you’re Japan-bound, you can count on being the only person who will actually know what your Japanese ink is supposed to mean, with a few unpredictable exceptions.

That Colorful Koi Fish
Koi fish (nishikigoi or “brocaded carp,” more specifically) are prominently featured in many Japanese artworks, as well as being adored throughout the country as a kind of living ornament within the elaborate garden structures and decorative “koi ponds” found virtually everywhere in Japan. These much-beloved fish are commonly depicted in tattoo art, usually amid a swirling sea of traditional Japanese-style waves like the ones pictured here. The popularity of koi-related tattoos in America has enjoyed a steady increase over the past several years.

The Gorgeous Geisha

Geisha are traditional female entertainers in Japan; delicate, beautiful, elegant women trained extensively to become exceptional performers and perfect hostesses. Their elaborate make-up and extravagant manner of dress is highly identifiable with the rich tapestry of Japanese history and culture. Tattoos involving Geisha women are sometimes very much exaggerated and over-the-top, showcasing ladies of extraordinary loveliness wielding shimmering swords and riding traditional Japanese dragons! The zombie Geisha perched like a pin-up model atop John Doe’s bulging bicep is also a fairly prevalent trend. (Although, contrary to popular belief, Geisha are not highly-paid prostitutes, pin-up girls or expensive sluts!) Ink junkies seeking something more subtle and subdued might consider a simpler, friendlier design punctuated by bursts of dainty pink cherry blossoms.

Hardcore Anime Appreciation
With imported anime features just around every corner in today’s America, both old and new groups of die-hard fans are emerging from the woodwork and evolving across the nation. What better way to commemorate one’s adoration of extraordinary animated artwork than to wear a small piece of it with pride and passion for a lifetime? Assuming the right tattoo artist is involved in the procedure, you’ve got nothing to lose but blank canvas. Print out a color picture of your favorite anime character, or supply your tattoo guy with photocopies from a clearly-printed manga issue. Before you know it, your fictional friends will be bringing Japanese joy to this reality with their wild costumes, enormous guns and hopelessly exaggerated facial expressions. Ah, bliss!

Posted in Asian, Cartoon, Nature

In recent years, kanji and hanzi tattoos have become an extremely popular choice among 20-something Americans with the insatiable itch for ink. Many are drawn to the mysteriousness and perceived symbolism of these eye-catching Asian characters, while others find themselves enchanted with the physical composition of the words; the beauty of the brushstrokes and the look of the language itself. Still others are prompted to select kanji and hanzi tattoos as a result of Asian music fandom, anime fandom or any number of varying fandoms based on interests rooted deep within the Chinese and Japanese cultures. Chances are, you know at least one person with an Asian character tattooed somewhere on his or her body. Kanji and hanzi tattoos are everywhere!

Unfortunately, many recipients of foreign language tattoos fail to perform adequate research on the tattoo ideas of their choosing, prior to actually having those ideas translated into ink. Lots of people use outdated dictionaries or shoddy language translators on the internet and don’t bother to cross-reference their results for accuracy; others naively select characters from the wall of the tattoo shop at random, assuming that particular shop’s translation is the correct one. Utilizing these methods of symbol verification is unreliable and, considering the permanent nature of the decoration, most unwise. After all, the image you choose on Tattoo Day will be inked into your flesh forever. Don’t take any chances!

It’s important to understand and be entirely conscious of the fact that the average English-speaking, American tattoo artist is likely NOT fluent in Japanese, Chinese, Korean or any other Asian language. (Heck, I’d even recommend verifying the spelling and punctuation of common English phrases before having them tattooed. Botched tatts aren’t going to rub off in the shower like magic, people!) Double-checking the meaning of a foreign word or phrase to ensure its exactitude is NOT in your artist’s job description. The language research isn’t his responsibility; it’s yours. It’s your tattoo — forever! Just take it easy and plan things out ahead of time. Remember: An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Use reliable internet resources to check and cross-check your translations. Enlist the aid of any friends, family members, pen-pals or other acquaintances who may happen to speak and read the language in question with some degree of fluency. Collect several images of the character you intend to have emblazoned. Study and memorize it; know how the image is supposed to look. And, for crying out loud, make sure your tattoo guy doesn’t apply the stencil upside down! (Sadly enough, it’s been known to happen.) In the end, you’ll be glad you decided to do your homework.

Posted in Asian, Good Advice, Important