Koi Fish tattoos

Hot Koi Fish Tattoos, Design, and Ideas! A Revitilization of a Traditional Japanese Design

Koi Fish Tattoos article by Chris Ryerson

Koi fish tattoos are quickly growing in popularity. In fact many traditional Japanese tattoo designs are coming to life with new vivid tattoo ink colors. This is a rapidly growing movement very similar to the west coast tattoo style. The west coast tattoo style started with the idea of taking older classic tattoo themes like anchors, hearts and etc and adding a ton of bright, and beautiful inks to them. A few years back the west coast tattoo style was about the hottest thing in tattoos.

However many people are not satisfied to stick with what everyone else has already done and most people that get tattoos want them to be unique and different. Therefore tattoo artists are always on the look out for new designs, new ideas and new ways to take their art to the next level. This constant pushing of the envelope develops many hot new trends in tattoo design.

In the past 5 or so years there has been a rebirth or revitalization of traditional Japanese tattoos. One of the hottest themes in Japanese tattoos has been koi fish tattoos.

Koi fish are very popular among women but many man are getting them also now. In Japanese mythology Koi are typically thought to swim up stream against the current. They are therefore often associated with perseverance in adversity and can make a great tattoo with a very deep meaning. Yet a delicate and beautiful design.

Men tend to get koi fish tattoos on their back, shoulders, calf or upper thigh most typically. In fact large koi tattoos that take up the entire back are a style that many men are starting to get. They can also make a great full sleeve design with the water and koi twisting around the arm or leg.

Women tend to get koi tattoos on arms, thighs, and even on the side of their stomachs. Koi can make a beautiful tattoo with lots of bright color and large splashes of blue water that can become a very flowing and artistic tattoo.

Typically koi fish tattoos feature a large blue, splashing water background with the fish jumping out of the water and playfully splashing in it. Traditional designs often include either Japanese maple leaves or lotus flowers in combination with the design.

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Tattoo Lettering

Japanese Tattoo Lettering - History, Basics, and Style

Tattoo Lettering article by Romeo Rodriguez

In Japan, tattooing and tattoo lettering began primarily as an expression of spirituality. From approximately 300 BC to 300 AD, a Japanese tattoo always conveyed a certain religious meaning for its bearer, and also served as a decorative status symbol.

During this period, tattooing was meticulously practiced and highly regarded. For the tattoo artists, tattooing was not just an occupation, but a way of life. For instance, aspiring apprentices had to train under masters for many years before becoming credible and acknowledged tattoo artists, which are called "horis" in Japan. Only a horis was allowed to create full body suit tattoos.

All that changed when the government began to etch tattoos on criminals as a means of punishment. During the Meiji era, the Japanese government outlawed tattooing and forced artists to practice underground. It was legalized again in 1945, but until now, Japanese tattoos have never completely shaken off the negative association with common felons and the Yakuza, Japan's longstanding infamous mafia. Consequently, people sporting tattoos are known to be banned in many public baths and massage parlors by apprehensive business owners. Despite all this, Japanese tattoos continue to gain popularity domestically and worldwide because of the outstanding artistry of the designs and the deep mystical symbolism inherent to them.

Japanese tattoos are formed using words, images, and numbers, or different combinations of each. There are three kinds of scripts in Japanese:

Kanji - originated from traditional Chinese characters. Intricate and beautiful, these characters are used to convey concepts.

Hiragana - developed during the Heian period by women. It represents sounds, and looks feminine.

Katakana - series of characters developed by Buddhist monks. The style is sharp and masculine, and represents sounds.

Kanji, hiragana, and katakana are combined and used for lettering and can be written vertically and horizontally. Katakana is generally used for foreign names, places, and words that are of foreign origin. For Japanese tattoo lettering, people often use Kanji.

In the same manner as there are different lettering styles in English writing, there are also different writing styles to create Japanese characters. They are:

Kaisho, is the Japanese equivalent of block style.

Gyousho, is the equivalent of cursive style.

Sousho, is an extreme form of cursive, perhaps the equivalent of fancy Old English lettering.

Called "irezumi" and "horimono", Japanese tattoos are stunning but are rather complicated to create because there is no actual alphabet for the Japanese language. Written communication is a group of symbols representing sounds or general concepts. That's why it is so important to find yourself a tattoo artist who has extensive knowledge and expertise with the Japanese language, and its attached symbolism. Before getting a Japanese tattoo, it is best to follow these guidelines:

Know the difference between kanji, hiragana, and katakana.

Familiarize yourself with the writing styles and choose the one that appeals to you the most.

Choose a word that would translate logically into Japanese. Some phrases may be coherent in English (e.g. "Big Daddy) but may be ridiculous when converted to Japanese (e.g. Large Father).

Always remember to check before having any inking done.

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Tattoo Lettering

Japanese Tattoo Lettering - History, Basics, and Style

Tattoo Lettering article by Romeo Rodriguez

In Japan, tattooing and tattoo lettering began primarily as an expression of spirituality. From approximately 300 BC to 300 AD, a Japanese tattoo always conveyed a certain religious meaning for its bearer, and also served as a decorative status symbol.

During this period, tattooing was meticulously practiced and highly regarded. For the tattoo artists, tattooing was not just an occupation, but a way of life. For instance, aspiring apprentices had to train under masters for many years before becoming credible and acknowledged tattoo artists, which are called "horis" in Japan. Only a horis was allowed to create full body suit tattoos.

All that changed when the government began to etch tattoos on criminals as a means of punishment. During the Meiji era, the Japanese government outlawed tattooing and forced artists to practice underground. It was legalized again in 1945, but until now, Japanese tattoos have never completely shaken off the negative association with common felons and the Yakuza, Japan's longstanding infamous mafia. Consequently, people sporting tattoos are known to be banned in many public baths and massage parlors by apprehensive business owners. Despite all this, Japanese tattoos continue to gain popularity domestically and worldwide because of the outstanding artistry of the designs and the deep mystical symbolism inherent to them.

Japanese tattoos are formed using words, images, and numbers, or different combinations of each. There are three kinds of scripts in Japanese:

Kanji - originated from traditional Chinese characters. Intricate and beautiful, these characters are used to convey concepts.

Hiragana - developed during the Heian period by women. It represents sounds, and looks feminine.

Katakana - series of characters developed by Buddhist monks. The style is sharp and masculine, and represents sounds.

Kanji, hiragana, and katakana are combined and used for lettering and can be written vertically and horizontally. Katakana is generally used for foreign names, places, and words that are of foreign origin. For Japanese tattoo lettering, people often use Kanji.

In the same manner as there are different lettering styles in English writing, there are also different writing styles to create Japanese characters. They are:

Kaisho, is the Japanese equivalent of block style.

Gyousho, is the equivalent of cursive style.

Sousho, is an extreme form of cursive, perhaps the equivalent of fancy Old English lettering.

Called "irezumi" and "horimono", Japanese tattoos are stunning but are rather complicated to create because there is no actual alphabet for the Japanese language. Written communication is a group of symbols representing sounds or general concepts. That's why it is so important to find yourself a tattoo artist who has extensive knowledge and expertise with the Japanese language, and its attached symbolism. Before getting a Japanese tattoo, it is best to follow these guidelines:

Know the difference between kanji, hiragana, and katakana.

Familiarize yourself with the writing styles and choose the one that appeals to you the most.

Choose a word that would translate logically into Japanese. Some phrases may be coherent in English (e.g. "Big Daddy) but may be ridiculous when converted to Japanese (e.g. Large Father).

Always remember to check before having any inking done.

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Supermodel Natalia Vodianova

Natalia Vodianova Info
COUNTRY: Russian model
DATE OF BIRTH: February 28, 1982
PLACE OF BIRTH: Gorky, Russia
EYES: Blue
HAIR: Dark blonde

Natalia Vodianova Measurements
CHEST: 88 cm
WAIST: 62 cm
HIPS: 89 cm
HEIGHT: 175 cm
Natalia Vodianova Biography
Bio:
Natalia Vodianova is a Russian model. Since bursting into the spotlight in 2001, She has campaigned for Louis Vuitton, Marc Jacobs, Calvin Klein, Euphoria, Gucci and Miss Sixty. Her Cinderella story of going from poverty into modeling glamour has also created great buzz about her.

Natalia Vodianova was born on February 28, 1982, in Gorky, Russia. She lived with her mother and two half-sisters under meager and tough conditions. The poor lifestyle was a result of Soviet Union's road to collapse and its aftermath. The political and economic conditions took a harsh toll on Natalia's family, as she had to start working at the age of eleven. Natalia and her family sustained eachother with a fruit stall business.

At age 15, Vodianova enrolled in a modeling academy, where she learned ladylike behavior and etiquette. Fortunately, she also went to casting opportunities, and one day, she caught the eye of a scouting agent from Paris. He told her that a great future was in store for her; all she had to do was learn English in three months.

Convinced that her life could change for the better, Vodianova did just that. At 17, she moved to Paris to try her hand at modeling. Delighted to work, she was a dream client for the Viva agency and was an inspired woman. Though her salary was small at her first, it was still much more than what she was earning in her native Russia.

When she was 19 years old, she made much headway in modeling but still had not made it big. For some time, she was distracted however, after falling in love and marrying British real-estate heir Justin Portman. She gave birth to son Lucas before the lavish wedding in St. Petersburg, and for an instant, her career looked bleak. Fortunately, these distractions did not sway her: she roamed the runways for several fall collections and astounded so many that she headlined the Yves Saint Laurent show that same year.

Soon, Vodianova's phone was ringing off the hook. Gucci made her the new face for their perfume line after she had more than 40 runway shows under her belt, and then Calvin Klein called to hire her for their big Spring show. She was officially the hot new face in town and even made a brief appearance in Roman Coppola's film CQ with Billy Zane and Gerard Depardieu.

Now, with campaigns for Louis Vuitton, Marc Jacobs and Miss Sixty to her name, Vodianova is a true supermodel. She has done it all, from Vogue covers to big-name fashion shows. The media loves her not only for her "real" look, but because her story is so inspiring. Living in New York with her husband and son, Vodianova is already poised to take over the whole modeling world with her charm and sex appeal. In July 2007, Vodianova was featured the cover of American Vogue as the solo subject, a considerable feat during an era that relies heavily on celebrity cover subjects to push sales. She first appeared on the cover along with eight other top models in September 2005. The only other models to have singularly graced the cover of US Vogue in between those two issues have been Linda Evangelista and Liya Kebede.

According to Forbes, Vodianova is ranked as the seventh highest-earning model in the world after Carolyn Murphy, Alessandra Ambrosio, Adriana Lima, Heidi Klum, Kate Moss and Gisele Bundchen. Her earnings for the past year were in the order of $4.5 million.

Campaigns:Anna Molinari, Calvin Klein, Calvin Klein 'Euphoria Blossom' Fragrance, Chanel, Choice by Calvin Klein Underwear, Compagnia Italia, Calvin Klein ?Euphoria? fragrance, Giorgio Armani, Gucci, Gucci fragrance, Jacques Dessange, Jigsaw, LaSposa, L'Oreal, Louis Vuitton, Marc Jacobs, Miss Sixty, Moschino, Pepe Jeans, Philosophy di Alberta Ferretti, Rocco Barocco, Swish jeans, Versus

Covers:Vogue China, Vogue Germany, Vogue Greece, Vogue Italy, Vogue Japan, Vogue Korea, Vogue Mexico, Vogue Russia, Vogue US, Vogue UK, W, Vogue Teen, i-D, GQ, DT, Chic, Telva, Photo, Elle, Matie Claire, Numero

Shows:Alessandro Dell'Acqua, Amaya Arzuaga, Anna Molinari, Anna Sui, Anne Klein, Balenciaga, BCBG Max Azria, Blumarine, Calvin Klein, Chanel, Chloe, DKNY, Dolce & Gabbana, Donna Karan, Emanuel Ungaro, Givenchy, Gucci, Helmut Lang, Jean Paul Gaultier, Jil Sander, Lagerfeld Gallery, La Perla, Louis Vuitton, Marc Jacobs, Marni, Martine Sitbon, Max Mara, Michael Kors, Miguel Adrover, Missoni, Miu Miu, Narciso Rodriguez, Oscar do la Renta, Prada, Ralph Lauren, Roberto Cavalli, Stella McCartney, Tommy Hilfiger, Versace, Versus, Yves Saint Laurent, Zac Posen
Natalia Vodianova photo gallery

Tribal Dragon Tattoos

Chinese and Japanese Tribal Dragon Tattoos

Tribal Dragon Tattoos article by Bernice Eker

Dragon tattoos are one of the most popular designs all over the world. It can go in any category, whether abstraction, naturalistic, dedication, stylized or combination tattoos.

Throughout history, dragon tattoos have never been out of fashion and had been used as a symbol in some parts of the world. It can be drawn as menacing or regal depending on your choice of design.

Dragon tattoos come in two popular forms: the Chinese or Japanese dragon of the east with its long, snake-like body and the European dragon of the west with its powerful wings and long neck. The European dragon usually symbolizes power and fear, a depiction of evil where as the Chinese dragon usually symbolizes unity and conformity, a depiction of good.

You can find many different designs of dragon tattoos in different forms and colours. Some of these dragon designs have additional background scenery where they are depicted flying in the clouds, swimming in the ocean, crawling on top of mountains or ravaging small villages. But the most common depiction of a dragon is being done as tribal dragon tattoos due to both its simplicity (the majority colour being in either black or gray with the additional colour to highlight the dragon) and its complexity.

Most often, the eastern dragons are the ones being used as a basis for the designs for the tribal dragon tattoos. Chinese and Japanese designs are the ones most common to be created into tattoos. Both have similar features: long, snake-like body, wingless and have horns. The only difference between these two dragons is their claws. Japanese dragons have only three claws where as the Chinese dragons have five. Their long, wingless bodies are less complicated to draw and since tribal tattoos are mostly being done in one colour (two at the most), the outcome of these dragon are more elegant looking and sophisticated.

Though, some in today's society, eastern dragons that are being created into tribal dragon tattoos is being depicted as a symbol of fear and power; a contrast to the real symbolism of the eastern dragons.

Some people today would ask for a tribal dragon tattoo when they want to look tough or powerful. They would look for the best dragon design and ask to have it done. But there are still those who see the eastern dragon as a symbol of wisdom and would ask for a dragon as a sign of respect. And still, others would just like a tribal dragon tattoo because the artistry is very well made and it looks good in the body.

The most common place to find a tribal dragon would be on the whole arm length or at the back.

There are still some parts of the world where dragon tattoos are still used as a symbol in society. Whether they are being used as a status symbol in an organization or a clan, they are a mark of respect and power to the people who still value them.

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girl with japanese tattoo on the 2 hands

girl with japanese tattoo on the 2 hands

japanese tattoo on the arm

japanese tattoo on the arm