Body painting

Tribal

Tribal

Tattoo Art Free

Tattoo’s are so personal and powerful because it is permanent and inextricably linked with its wearer. Tattoo art is more than just a fashion. It greatly depends upon the matter of persons liking and disliking. Tattoo art is varied, ranging from basic images to intricate creations. No one knows exactly when or where the first tattoo artist created his work, but we do know that some of the earliest mummies found in Asia and Europe have tattoos.

Tattoo art has always fascinated the human imagination. Tattoos were primarily used to indicate status instead of decorative purposes. Tattoo art is still considered a lower-class macho symbol, traditionally practiced among yakuza (gangsters) and construction workers. Tattoos now adorn the bodies of attorneys, doctors, teachers, politicians and even members of the clergy, a fact that only further demonstrates the acceptance tattoos are experiencing.

Tattoos have become very much a part of the mainstream, but then there are still a few who can really turn a head or in some cases, with some absolutely crazy tattoos. It all comes down to freedom of expression and some people like to show theirs through ‘Tattoo Art free’. The Tattoo industry has exploded in recent years and has almost a cult following. Being seen on rock stars and Film stars alike. Being ultra cool.

Safety has now become paramount and tattoo artists are becoming famous the world over like some fashion designers. Tattoo Art is now a popular gift to give someone on a special occasion. A boyfriend to give his girlfriend to represent a bonding of their relationship, or for them both to go to the tattoo parlor together and have each others names or a meaningful symbol tattoo on their bodies. To show commitment to each other.

Geisha The Oriental Pinup

Another popular and traditional theme in Japanese tattoos are Geisha. These women were not the prostitutes or hookers but rather women of culture and refinement that were seen to carry the traditions of the culture. They were often extremely beautiful and talented women they could sing, play traditional instruments, dance and entertain. There of course are tons of traditional woodcuts that feature the “floating world” where the Samurai and Geisha would meet. Many of these woodcuts and themes have been done in tattoo designs. If you are looking for a strong female image then you could always get a design of a samurai’s wife who were traditionally trained in martial arts and expected to defend their home if needed.

Cherry Blossom Tattoos

Cherry blossoms are a beautiful flower that blooms from the cherry tree typically in April. These beautiful flowers have long been a passion for the Japan in general. They are symbolic of how fragile and beautiful life can be. Often the Samurai would write poems about Cherry Blossoms and they thought of the blossoms as being brave and ready to die at any minute. That is how the Samurai lived their life all the time. So the cherry blossom is a symbol of beauty first and foremost but it also symbolize living life to its fullest each and every day.

Beautiful Japanese Tattoos

As we know one of the places where tattooing is heavily practiced as a beautiful art form and with the greatest skills level is Japan. The history of tattooing there dates back to the fifth century where historians found clay figurines (haniwa) in a grave that show distinct facial marks. These marks are believed to be early forms of tattoos that represent decorative and religious functions.

Unfortunately this early form of Japanese tattooing largely died out by the end of the fifth century and tattooing was revived only in the thirteenth century as a way of marking criminals and other social desirables. Interestingly, the practice of labeling criminals using tattoos was also practiced in many other countries, notable in neighboring areas as we collectively known as China today.

During that time in Japan, criminals were tattooed with the nature of their crime and the geographic location where is took place. Members of outcast groups were also marked with stigmatizing tattoos. These people include the ‘hinin’ who were lowly entertainers and the ‘eta’ who slaughtered animals and tanned leather.

By the seventeenth century an intriguing form of tattooing called ‘irebokuro’ (from “ire” meaning “to inject” and “bokuro” meaning “beauty spot”) started to enjoy widespread popularity. This special form of non-pictorial tattooing often symbolizes one’s undying loyalty or love and would include the name of a lover, for example.

In the mid-eighteenth century during the Edo period a Chinese folklore known as Suikoden that revolve around the adventures of 108 bandits became wildly popular in Japan. They led a Robin Hood-style life and devoted their lives to fighting against the wealthy and corrupt government officials.

One of the most popular outlaw characters in the novel is Shishin or the ‘Nine Tattooed Dragon’ who bore extensive full-body tattoos. Soon Japanese from all social levels started to tattoo ornate designs (irezumi) on their bodies that depict heroic figures, gods, mythical creatures and other traditional and popular images.

From then, irezumi flourished until the mid-nineteenth century when it was forcibly stopped by the Emperor Meiji as he viewed it as an immoral practice favored by the much-despised Westerners. By now, Japanese tattooists or ‘hori’ had become immensely popular with the newly-arrived American sailors and merchants.

Due to official prohibition the art of irezumi was driven underground and was adopted predominantly by laborers, artisans, criminals, entertainers and fire fighters. Eventually, it became hugely visible on the bodies of the yakuza, a famed grouping of organized Japanese underground gangsters.

Presently in modern day Japan the art of tattooing is still slightly stigmatized though it remains a highly regarded art form. Many youths and young adults think nothing of going for stunning full-body tattoos that used to be associated only with hard-core criminals.