Japanese Tattoos

The intimate relationship of Japanese tattooing with the dark world of the yakuza has helped cover this form of artistic expression with an aura of mystery. But the culture of irezumi is deep and rich in meanings, shapes and motifs that have gone from color woodblock prints to being applied to the skin to beautify and protect their bearers. This book reveals the meaning and the secrets behind the most significant motifs from traditional Japanese tattooing such as mythological and supernatural creatures, animals, Buddhist deities, flowers and historical characters and turns this art form into a path toward personal knowledge and individual expression. Readers will discover the origin and meaning of each visual representation of the most frequent themes in this art form.
Irezumi itai begins with a brief review of the history of Japanese tattoo art and then examines each subject (water, mythological animals, real animals, mythological characters, historical characters, flowers, shunga and yokai) through images and descriptive texts; it also includes a gallery of original designs by the author and a glossary.

Table of Contents

Brief history of Japanese tattoos
Water
Mythical animals
Phoenix
Kirin
Yamata no Orochi
Ryu
Shishi
Real animals
Falcon
Carp
Tiger
Fox
Mythological characters
Daruma
Enma-o
Fudo
Fujin and Raijin
Hannya
Kintaro
Seven Lucky Gods
Onis and Shoki, the demon queller
Tamatori-hime
Tengu
Tennin
Historical characters
Benkei
Bokuko
Chojun
Cho-o
Chosei
Dankeiju
Ensei
Genshogo
Hakusho
Rishun
Rochisin
Setsuei
Shishin
Shuki
Sosei
Toko
Jiraiya
Flowers
Shunga
Yokai
Epilogue
Gallery of original designers
Glossary