Japanese Kanji Tattoos
Japanese Kanji tattoos are very popular.
Just like the Japanese are fond of wearing English expressions, so too others have discovered a fascination with Japanese kanji.
Koi Fish Tattoos
Koi fish tattoos are popular in both Japan and China. The colorful koi or carp have a lot of symbolic meaning in both countries. These large fish are often seen in ponds, interacting with the people watching them. Overall, koi are symbolic of good luck.
In Japan, koi represents the male energy. In fact, flags with koi on them are hung from houses every year to celebrate Boys’ Day. The word "koi" is Japanese for carp, and also for the kind of love you have for a lover. So the koi is also a symbol of love.
Japanese Tattoo Designs
Japanese tattoos have a long history stretching back to 10,000 BCE. From the very beginning, Japanese tattoo designs have been large and elaborate. Women of the Ainu tribe would tattoo themselves to resemble their goddess so disease-causing demons would be frightened away, thinking they were the goddess herself.
Between 300 BC and 300 AD, tattoos in Japan were used to express spiritual and social status. Beginning in 300 AD, tattoos were used to mark criminals. This process was called bokkei. In 1870, Japan was the last country to stop the practice of tattooing criminals.
