Japanese

Traditional Japanese tattooing follows rules developed over centuries: bold outlines, defined subjects, and background wind bars, waves and cloud work that tie the whole composition together and let it flow with the body.

Dragons, koi, tigers, hannya masks, snakes, chrysanthemums and cherry blossom all carry meaning, and the pairings between them matter. We are happy to explain what a combination traditionally represents before you commit it to your skin.

Japanese work is designed at scale — sleeves, back pieces, leg pieces and chest panels — because the background is what makes the style read. It is a commitment across multiple sessions, and it is worth doing properly.