As popular tattoo styles go, Japanese tattoos are among the most common and easily recognizable. The imagery used in Japanese tattoos is distinct, featuring a blend of cultural significance and detailed line work.

Japanese tattoos are among the oldest styles of tattoos. In fact, the lineage of Japanese tattooing spans back almost 5,000 years ago. Specifically, mention of Japanese tattooing can be found in an ancient Mandarin text known as Wei Chih from around 297 AD.

In this text, it is mentioned that men of all ages would have tattoos on all parts of their bodies, sometimes even their faces. These tattoos were viewed as a form of expressive folk art but quickly became perceived as holding other connotations.

This is due to the fact that troublesome citizens, rather than being sent down, started to be branded with tattoos. These branding tattoos often included imagery such as Japanese characters, symbols, and/or bands.

Japanese tattoos come in two forms: traditional and modern. Each of these forms of Japanese tattooing is nearly identical to each other with the main difference being in how the tattoo itself is applied to the skin. Traditional Japanese tattooing, for example, is applied using the most traditional means, using non-electrical tools. Modern Japanese tattooing, on the other hand, use a modern tattoo machine.

Japanese tattoos, most often, come in a mix of black-and-gray and colors although there are a variety of Japanese tattoos that come completely in black-and-gray. One thing, however, that doesn’t change when it comes to Japanese tattoos is that the subject matter is rooted in Japanese culture.

The most popular motifs featured in Japanese tattoos are Koi fish tattoos, geishas, dragons, samurai tattoos, and tiger tattoos.

JAPANESE TATTOO COLORS

If you’ve been looking at traditional Japanese tattoos online, you probably know they often feature bold ink colors. Though there are some gorgeous black and grey tattoos in the mix, contrasting colors make classic Japanese imagery pop. You’ll see all kinds of pinks, oranges, turquoises, and bright blues often against black backdrops for an extra hint of drama.

Before diving into a sea of beautiful colors, it would behoove you to learn a bit about colors in Japan. Every culture has its own associations with color; that’s why in America people wear black for last rites and red to feel desirable.

Let’s brush up on our colors, the meanings behind them, and how you can incorporate all of them into your next piece.

• White: white is a dominant color in Japan’s culture, and a very popular color for cars as well! Opposite to US where black is the chosen color for last rites, white is the color of passing away in Japan. It also symbolizes purity and truth. Like a thick blanket of snow, white can symbolize a fresh start or new beginning in Japan, which can be a comforting attitude toward eternal rest.

• Black: black can also be a color of mourning in Japan, but only when used with white. Some sympathy gifts will be tied with black and white ribbon to show sympathy. With Black ink being the only available color for early tattoos, there is a strong association between black and tattoos. Being a color of mystery as well, it is a perfect color to Japan’s underground tattoo culture, and complicated history with the art of tattoos.

• Red: red is a very important color in Japan. Symbolizing happiness and joy, it is usually incorporated into merry events such as weddings, birthdays, and new year’s eve. Because red is the color of the vital fluid, it symbolizes passion and vitality. If you are looking into a traditional Japanese tattoo a splash of red would be a good idea; it is said it offer protection.

• Blue: blue is a lucky color in Japan, and subsequently the color of choice for job interview outfits. Many corporate workers wear blue. It is a symbol of fidelity, and could show your dedication to your work.

• Green: because so many things in nature are green, in Japan it is a color that represents life, youth, energy, and respect for the earth. Green tea is also popular in Japan, known for its health benefits.

• Purple: purple is a regal color in Japan and elsewhere. As it used to be an incredibly difficult and expensive color to produce- it was reserved for the ruling class. During the Edo period, lower-class people were not supposed to wear any vivid colors at all. They wore brown robes to show their status (or lack thereof) but many people would resist with a colorful lining. Celebrate your royalty and mix a little aubergine or lavender into your Japanese tattoo design.

• Pink: pink represents femininity, the delicate nature of life, spring, and good health. This is also a popular color of lingerie in Japan, so it might add a little feminine charisma to your tattoo.

• Yellow: yellow can signify joy, optimism, and prosperity but be careful! In some areas of Japan it is thought of as the color of deceit! To have a “yellow voice” is to have a shrill way of speaking in Japan. A complicated color, but it does look pretty in tattoo art.

There may be colors with multiple meanings in Japan, and certain colors mean different things when worn in different situations.