Mysterious Japanese Symbol Tattoo

Japanese Symbol Tattoo

Japanese Kanji Tattoos are fast becoming the most popular tattoo design. Japanese Kanji characters are so incredibly artistic and have such mystique that it seems as though they were created ideally for the purpose of tattoos. When you think about the best qualities of a tattoo many words come to mind such as symbolic, mysterious, and meaning.



The beauty of Japanese Kanji tattoos is that each Kanji symbol is an ideographic character, which means is represents an entire object/meaning/symbol. Japanese Kanji symbols have such elaborate definition; each stroke of the symbol must be done in the correct direction and order. Japanese Kanji Tattoos can easily represent nearly any meaning you want. Words such as love, peace, freedom, strength, unity are very popular Japanese Kanji tattoos, as well as loved one's names.



It is a good idea to research your Japanese Kanji Tattoo before visiting your tattoo artist. There are several reasons for this - firstly, Kanji is a different form of language to English, and if you were to choose a Kanji sentence, the order of the words will be in different order to English. Secondly, many tattoo parlors have Japanese Kanji tattoo designs which have been altered by westerners and you will not know until it is too late. Finally, some Japanese Kanji characters have several meanings, and you may think your symbol means one thing, where in fact it means something completely different. Luckily there are websites out there that can help you get the perfect translation.

Japanese Tattoo Collection | Learn the Fascinating History Behind Japanese Tattoo Symbols

The history behind Japanese tattoo designs is believed to have started around 5000 BC. Japanese men, women of young or old age used to tattoo themselves with some religious themes in that period. In Chinese tradition, tattooing was practiced to outcast someone or to punish a criminal, so it was new to the Chinese when they knew that the Japanese used tattooing for decorative purposes.

Japanese Tattoo Designs

Around the year of 700 AD, attitudes towards tattoos changed and tattooing had become unpopular in Japan. It was treated as the symbol of criminals and as a way to punish guilty persons. It was a way to treat them differently and to outcast them from society. It was declared by the rulers then as an illegal activity for common people to tattoo themselves. Family members segregated their fellow members if he or she got a tattoo design on his or her body.

Japanese Tattoo Designs

Even though getting a tattoo became illegal, there were still people who were passionate about getting one. They got themselves tattooed in places of the body that would not be visible to others, to prevent getting punished and to prevent themselves getting separated from their community or their group.

Japanese Tattoo Designs

As the number of persons getting tattoos reduced, the popularity of the native designs and techniques started to fade. Only a few tattoo designers were still able to continue their tattooing work and most of those that were skilled found different jobs.

Japanese Tattoo Designs

Secret shops were opened to serve those individuals who were passionate to get tattooed. After World War II, tattooing was declared as a legal activity and anyone who wished to get tattooed could act according to their wish without hiding from the general public. Japanese tattoo designs got a chance to flourish and even the Western world started to notice the appeal of these designs and tattooing techniques.

Japanese Tattoo Designs

When we get to learn the history behind Japanese tattoo designs, we understand how the perspective towards tattooing changed from the purposes of decoration to the purpose of punishment and then back to decorative accessories.(Kato)

Japanese Kanji Tattoo

What's So Special About Kanji Tattoo Designs?



Kanji tattoo designs are characters from a cryptic Japanese alphabet. This style of tattoo has become very popular within all of North America. You have likely seen these tattoos before, and maybe you would like to get one yourself. But, what is so special about Kanji tattoo designs?



Getting a tattoo of a Kanji symbol is very common. You can make use of these ancient characters to create a tattoo that represents love, strength, or anything else that is important to you in your life. Many people get this type of tattoo because they are really trendy at the moment, but they are also a really great way to get a subtle tattoo that does not take up a lot of space.



If you are thinking of getting a Kanji tattoo, you should definitely take your time to do the research for what you plan to get before you go and get it. There is quite a bit of confusion in many of the symbols, and you will not want to make the mistake of getting a symbol that means one thing when you think it means something else. This is something that has happened to a lot of people, and it is not a pleasant experience.



There are many online tattoo design directories that can show you endless ideas that you can use for your tattoo. These sites will generally have a category that is specifically for Kanji designs. You can use these as a resource to find something that means what you want it to mean.



Kanji tattoo designs are a great idea for anybody who wants to get a simple tattoo that is subtle and means something very personal to them. These tattoos will be forever, so make sure that you do the research to find one that truly means something for you.



By Greg E. West