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From the early seventeenth to late nineteenth centuries, during Japan’s Edo Period, Japanese tattoos were most often seen on Japanese prostitutes, who used them to entice customers; Japanese firemen were known for their remarkable horimono, or full body tattoos which were quite unlike any other tattoos in the world. The firefighters regarded their tattoos as signs of brotherhood and masculinity.

The other class of Japanese regularly tattooed during this period were criminals who for one hundred and fifty years were marked either with a tattooed ring, or tattooed character on the forehead, on the arm for each crime They may have resented being permanently marked, but prior to the introduction of tattooing, the usually means of identifying criminals was to amputate their noses or ears.

Japanese tattoos regained their popularity when a woodblock printed Chinese novel, “Suikoden,” illustrated with warriors bearing horimono of tigers, dragons, and flowers. The book was wildly successful with Japan’s lower classes, who began demanding similar tattoos.

But the only tattoo artists available were the woodblock printers themselves. Because the printers had no tools except the gouges and chisels with which they created their woodblocks, they used them and their special black ink which will change its color to a bluish green when it reacts with human skin.

All authentic Japanese tattoos are still applied by hand with “tebori”, groups of handmade needles attached to wooden or metal handles; it takes a great deal of practice to master the art of tattooing by hand. Having a “suit” of Japanese tattoos applied with tebori, as everyone who was tattooed in the mid-1800s did, was a time-intensive experience; an entire tattoo could take up to five years of weekly sessions to finish. As tebori are more likely to cause bruising than the tattoo machines widely used today, they were in many cases very painful years.

Japanese tattoos are rich in symbolism; one of the most popular is the koi fish, or carp, which can outlive many humans and represent endurance and wisdom. Dragons bring luck, and are often depicted with clouds or rivers and lakes, so necessary for the rice crops which have sustained the Japanese for thousands of years. Snakes add a negatic4e element to Japanese tattoos, and are included only when the artist can add peonies, cherry blossoms, or other flowers which bloom at the same time that snakes become active after the winter.

You may have to travel far and wide to find a tebori master to apply your Japanese tattoos, but you can find tattoos of traditional Japanese subjects at every tattoo parlor!

Nowadays, one can stylized or update a flower tattoo design in various ways. The increasing appreciation of tattoo as a form of art has brought about a wider range of flower designs. The most popular of this is the tribal flower design.

Each kind of flower is chosen for its specific meaning. For example, a cherry blossom signifies spiritual beauty, calla lily means maiden modesty and hibiscus is delicate beauty. To enhance its significance, you can combine it with a tribal design. Tribal patterns have specific meanings as well. For best result, research on it and consult an artist as much as possible.

Tribal design is mostly done in black or red ink. If you choose to have the flower done in vivid colors, the tribal color makes a stunning contrast on the art work. It is not as easy for an artist to do tribal flower tattoos. The intricate tribal pattern should be done correctly. The ink should be applied evenly. And the flower should be shaded properly to stand out. If you want it done in one color, draw the flower in a tribal manner. Where you plan to have it done is also important in choosing the right tribal flower design. Tribal design needs to be properly contoured on the body part where you want it done.

Flower designs are done in delicately beautiful strokes, while tribal designs are mostly angled. Tribal flower tattoos have become fashionable for women. It is commonly done on the lower back, ankle and wrist. The tribal design emphasizes the significance of the flower on the chosen for the art.

The combination makes tribal flower tattoo popular choice among men as well. The tribal detailing creates a masculine impact in an otherwise feminine design. Men would usually choose just one color, though.

The internet offers a variety of options should you decide to go for a tribal flower tattoo. The meaning of each design is also readily available online, making it easier for you to work on your tattoo concept. Be sure to only use it as a reference, though. It is still important to revise the tattoo into a personalized art work. After all, the tattoo is going to be a representation of who you are. Researching this kind of tattoo entails more work.

You have to check on the significance of the flower and the tribal design you want done.

Designs of tribal flower tattoos transcend gender. It can function as a feminine body art. It is universally regarded as a symbol of feminine beauty. At the same time, the tribal pattern brings a masculine impact should a man decide to have this art work done on him. Combining the delicate flower design with the intricate tribal pattern made this tattoo one the most popular designs.

Kohaku. This is probably the most common and popular type of koi. It's colors are red and white. The japanese translation for kohaku is red and white.

Asagi. This beautiful fish is pale blue with an orange-red type color of belly. It's scales on it's back form a net pattern. The word asagi means pale blue.

Ogon. This shiny metallic koi is usually gold or orange. You can also find these in cream color, but they are rare in that color. The scales are one color. Ogon means gold.

Bekko. This koi can be white, yellow or red. It has black markings on it's body. Bekko translates into tortoise shell.

Matsuba. This koi is one color. It's scales are similar in design to a pinecone.

Utsuri. This fish is black with white, red or yellow markings. The markings are similar to ink stains. This is the reason the japanese word for to print, utsuri, is it's name.

Karasugoi. A black fish with an orange belly.

Showa. This beautiful koi has a black body with white and red markings.

Ochiba: A light blue koi with yellow markings. Ochiba translates to fallen leaves.

Butterfly koi: Koi that are bred with asian carp. The color is determined by the type of koi that is bred with the carp. Butterfly koi are known for their long, flowing fins.

Koi fish, overall, are viewed as symbols of love and friendship. These and other meanings ranging from courage to strength are the reasons that they are such popular symbols being seen on anything from jewelry to tattoos. Koi fish colors are beautiful and original no matter what type you choose.

Chinese letter tattoos have mystery and hidden secret meanings. For this reason you need to have a sound knowledge about the letter meanings. You can find many tattoo artists using different types of stylish tattoos but out of all of them Chinese letter tattoos are the most popular.

Nowadays, tattoos are becoming more of a craze and immensely popular among women and they want to embrace tattoos with the same enthusiasm as some men do. In the eighties, women were frowned upon if they implanted tattoos on their skin. Now the whole situation is changing and women are now being treated more equally with men (and so they should).

In addition, being a part of such a wonderful trend, Chinese letter tattoos can give women a more stylish and contemporary look. Chinese Letter Tattoos have a mythical Asian history and are loved by everyone. You can get Chinese letter tattoos in different shapes and designs and there are new designs coming up everyday. People prefer something different and which cannot be seen anywhere else. Chinese tattoos are made with different characters that are sometimes hard to understand.

The Chinese language is not at all simple like the English alphabet but its extraordinary look can bring a smile on anyone's face. You can have a permanent tattoo or a temporary one, as it all depends on your taste. However, one thing you need to make sure that these tattoos must be hygienic.

Therefore, you need to find an expert tattoo artist who is good in doing tattoo. Embedding tattoos on your body can sometimes be painful but the result that it gives is well worth the temporary discomfort. Although, after implanting a tattoo on your body if you should find your skin reacts in some way to the ink,then you should immediately visit your doctor.

As some tattoos may affect different types of skin and produce possible infections and sometimes allergic reactions (but these cases are normally pretty rare). However, if you have the real desire to have a tattoo on your body then trying Chinese letter tattoos can be a wonderful idea if done by a good professional who can guide you in a good way.

First, you need to choose the specific location of your back that you'd like to tattoo. Sexy areas for women are over the shoulder blade, on the lower back, or on the upper back.

Shoulder blade tattoos are sexy back tattoos for women because it highlights the feminine nape of the neck and slope of the shoulder. Whether you tattoo images or words, it goes to highlight a distinctly feminine area. Angelina Jolie has a rather famous tattoo on her left shoulder blade, with words running vertically. It is a Buddhist Pali incantation written in Khmer script (Cambodian). Getting tattoos in other languages, particularly Arabic and Asian languages, is very popular right now.

Lower back tattoos for women weren't very popular until the 1990s, when women realized how sexy the right tattoo in that location can be. Lower back tattoos cover the small of the back, and are usually oblong in shape to emphasize the feminine curve of the body. Though showing them off with crop tops isn't exactly in style anymore, the lower back is still a classic region to tattoo for maximum femininity.

Upper back tattoos are a little more old school, but that just makes them a familiar classic. This is a fairly wide expanse of skin means that you can do anything you want with upper back tattoos. Your tattoo can be as large and sprawling as you like it, or it can be small and sweet. If you want, it can be one of many small tattoos ornamenting your back in different locations.

Don't limit yourself when choosing the location and design for your next back tattoo. Sexy back tattoos for women are out there in abundance. Pay attention to color, shape, and location. If you are tattooing a word or phrase, think about size, script, and content. Remember that the best tattoo is something that is uniquely yours and represents your personality for your whole life through. Choose something central to you that is sure not to change, because your tattoo is there to stay.

In the Greek language, dragon is sourced from draca, which means serpent.

Like the angel, the Japanese Dragon also has the meaning of guardianship, providing a protective force over those it was associated with. Other meanings associated with the Japanese dragon is strength and power. In Japanese culture the dragon is associated with supernatural powers, and amazing wisdom.

There are six forms of the Japanese Dragon. They are:

Sui-Riu is the king Dragon and is in control of the rain. Therefore in this day and age of drought he is all powerful!

Han-Riu has many stripes on his body and is up to forty feet in length. One of the biggest dragons.

Ri-Riu dragon is a rare breed that is not well understood. However, it is known that they have amazing eye sight.

Ka-Riu is a brilliant red color, and a petite dragon in comparison with the others.

Fuku-Riu is a favorite dragon of many people as it is the dragon of luck.

Hai-Riyo is known as the dragon bird, and the most advanced form of dragon. It evolved out of Chinese mythology.

The colors of the dragons have special significance, which are based on their parents. For example a dragon with a black color means their parents are very old and wise. Green dragons are smaller than average, but are representative of life and of the earth. Gold colored dragons are special because they have many special attributes such as wisdom, kindness and the ability to face challenges head on.

Yellow dragons represent the east. They are great companions when you need a hand, but can be self absorbed at times. Blue dragons are from the west. They are forgiving and compassionate, but on the negative side can be lazy and uncaring when it suits them.

Finding the right Japanese Tattoo Design for you can be quite daunting. Check out all the free sites on the net to get as many ideas as you can. Just remember that many other people have done the same thing to get ideas. For example, last month, over 41,000 people searched for dragon tattoo designs on Yahoo. Apparently, roughly 8 times that amount check out Google for the same search term. Then there is MSN and the other search engines. So a huge amount of people see the same free designs as you. If you want original Japanese Dragon tattoo designs, it is recommended that you check out books or other sources of tattoo designs that are not freely available. I have checked out three Japanese dragon tattoo galleries on the internet that have from 3,500 to 6000 different designs, so you will have no trouble finding what you want.