Traditional Japanese Tattoo designs were inspired by Japanese folklore many centuries ago and the common themes symbolize protection, bravery, and goodwill. There are also Japanese tattoo symbols that are believed to bring success to the individuals who wear them.
Some of the popular traditional Japanese style tattoos include samurai, KOI fish, cherry blossoms, and dragons which are not just intricately beautiful but are also filled with meanings. Traditional Japanese tattoo designs are meant to tell a story and to help you find your style, we have rounded up the best tattoo designs below.
1. Seventh Son Japanese Tattoo Design
The Japanese Son Tattoo has quite a lot of history surrounding it, some believed this tattoo to be prisoners of war, criminals, and slaves as a means of making their status in society instantly recognizable. Others think it is the Kanji character and it means hoop, circle, or ring.
2. Zen Chinese Character Tattoo
Chinese character tattoos are a fascinating choice of tattoo and they happen to be quite popular among Westerners who find these ancient words interesting. Chinese character tattoos are ideographically but at times pictorially, in one of its homophonous forms.
3. Sakura Japanese Tattoo Design
This is one of the most classic forms of Japanese tattoos, the design is so intricately done that you fall in love with it right away. This tattoo contains a realistic Sakura tree branch and what is believed to be the goddess guiding it.
4. Cursive Chinese Character Tattoo
Cursive is one of the most common forms of Chinese character tattoos, the script of this one seems regular but it’s best that you find out the words and see if it is exactly what you want.
5. KOI Fish Japanese Tattoo Design
This KOI fish tattoo is detailed which gives a whole new dimension and look to how you see this amazing fish and it is a traditional Japanese tattoo that symbolizes determination, growth, and resilience.
6. Dragon/Koi/Chrysanthemum Tattoo Design
Here is another traditional Japanese tattoo that would look nice and hold a lot of transformative meaning, the combinations of these important traditional items also hold universal meaning so you can’t go wrong with them.
7. Manga Illustration Tattoo
Manga illustrations which can also be described as Anime tattoos one beautiful cool Japanese tattoo that holds deep meaning for individuals who choose to get them and also have the stricter meaning of Japanese comics.
8. Unreal Japanese Pottery Tattoo
Japanese Pottery tattoo design might be a traditional representation but we have to admit that it looks cool, and the colors used make it look abstract but alive at the same time.
9. Geisha Colorful Traditional Tattoo
This is another traditional tattoo we do find stunning and it sure leaves enough room for creativity. If you do like tattoos that tell a story then here is one that has you covered.
10. Traditional Japanese Dragon Tattoo
The Japanese Dragon tattoo means something more positive compared to that of its Chinese counterpart, the ancient belief of this dragon is that it guides and protects families and homes.
11. Japanese Black and Grey Hebi Tattoo
Just like the dragon, the Japanese snake which is known as the Hebi tattoo is another traditional culture and folklore that holds deep meaning. This tattoo symbolizes protection, transformation, and rebirth.
12. Kurapika’s Japanese Chain Tattoo
This is Kurapika’s chain from Hunter x Hunter and we do have to say the design is well laid to give a realistic tattoo style and it’s an ideal minimalist tattoo idea as well.
13. Samurai Sleeve Traditional Japanese Tattoo
This is a Japanese warrior tattoo design and it often symbolizes the 8 principal code of Bushido which every samurai followed. This Japanese tattoo means justice, compassion, honesty, politeness integrity, and loyalty.
14. Golden Koi Fish Japanese Tattoo
The gold or yellow KOI fish is not as popular as the black one when it comes to deep meanings as it stands for overcoming difficulties, but this one means wealth and prosperity if you want a colorful tattoo, gold is perfect.
15. Amaterasu, Goddess of the Sun Tattoo
The Amaterasu, Goddess of the Sun Tattoo is also known as the Queen of the Creation, it is regarded as a deep tattoo layered with meaning. It is a powerful and historical tattoo.
16. Fan with Cherry Blossoms Japanese Tattoo
Fan paired with Cherry blossoms might seem not so traditional but it is, this tattoo design means the transient of life and beauty. It is so beautiful and classy.
17. The 7 Virtues of Bushido Tattoo
The 7 Virtues of Bushido Tattoo represent righteousness, honor, loyalty, respect, courage, honesty, compassion, and serenity, it typically is typified by 8 virtues but it is often envisioned as 7.
18. Neo Irezumi Traditional Japanese Tattoo
Neo-Japanese tattoo is also known as the new school of Japanese tattoo and the design is practically a new take on traditional art Irezumi which is used to refer to a full-body Japanese traditional tattoo. This is a really beautiful and colorful Japanese tattoo and if you are into tattoo aesthetics, this is for you.