TaeTae

Hey guys, been a while since I've posted, just got back from switzerland with Filip and thought id give you guys an update, here ya go

Very nice. Did you ask specifically for that design or just give him free rein?

Polynesian half sleeve, left arm, Cant wait. summer 2014.

Who is the artist buddy?

Welcome. Do you have any pictures of your tattoos? if you have any. ;)

Finishing sleeves with snakes.

Flowers under sleeve

Bonji

I've been leaning towards bonji to ring around my 3/4 sleeves like above but seeing some interesting concepts in this thread has me thinking of some other ideas.

Yeah, there's a few options. Don't think you could go wrong with the Bonji though.

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Believe it or not, these beautiful beads (and the butterfly) were done by Stuart Cripwell a few years back. Not his usual style!

I really love the positioning of the beads. Compliments the chest panels perfectly.

I'm in the same boat as you. I love the works of Shige and Gogue, but I prefer the traditional look. Add to that I used to think I wanted pieces with super details but I've come to realize while small details may be nice, big and bold leaves such an enduring image.

100% agree. I love my Japanese very simple with plenty of black.

If the image is a Koi, then it should be with more Koi. Almost makes me cry when I see a dragon, a tiger, a mask flowers all crammed into one sleeve. Maybe an extreme example, but you do it see it.

I always find myself looking through Horitoshi 1 and Hori Kyo facebook pages. Something so majestic about it.

It would be interested to see a piece by Gogue, Shige or an artist of similar style after 20 years. I'm not sure how such intricate designs will hold up.

Bonji from Horitada (amazing artist with big bold beautiful work)

Very beautiful. I was starting to think I was the only one who still loved simplistic traditional Japanese. Seems to be more love for this neo modern stuff. Don't get me wrong I can appreciate the skill of people like Shige ect, but it just don't look right to me.

Mini rant over :p

Flowers under 3/4 sleeves

I think these are Bonji

Here's my stab at it. Let's start at the top row from left to right:

Gobu sleeves (five tenths) with hikae (chest plate), Shichibu sleeves (seven tenths) with hikae, classic munewari with gobu sleeves and thighs or basically a gobu munewari, next is a variation of the munewari with hanzubon (shorts) where the inner thigh is completely filled in with tattoo work, full body suit or donburi soushinbori with nagasode (long sleeves), the back piece diagram is kame no koh (turtle back) then the last suit is a shichibu munewari (seven tenths).

Impressive :cool:

Your sleeves do look great and finished but I really don't think you should discount adding a rosary at all. Have you had a good look at actual antique Japanese rosaries for reference? They seem to be a set of two, as a general rul - one for the wrist and one for the neck, from what I've seen.

Also, there are a lot of photos of old, preserved tattooed skin floating about online - bound to be some good references to be found there too. After a quick google of the above there seems to be a tradition of a a 'bangle' or bangle looking something (sometimes kanji) as well as the tradition of flowers or rosaries.

Thanks man. I will keep searching collecting reference. I'll ask my artist next time I'm at the shop, he knows his stuff when it comes to Japanese and I'm sure he has got some good books too.

A few more.

My opinion probably shouldn't count for anything, but I think your sleeves already look great and "finished." Would adding a rosary create too many bands around one part of the arm? On the other hand, if you love the way they look, why not?

Thanks. You might be right. Maybe I'll just get the rosary around my neck. They also look good. :D

Morning LST, after a long trip I made it home. As promised here is a pic of my finished (for now) back. Not the best pic but I'll see if I can get a better one ASAP. Completed over 5 sessions by Horinao at The Catclaw Tattoo-z Kyoto... I'm going to go pass out for a bit lol.

Very nice mate. How many hours?

A few more. Really considering having this done around my wrists, but can't decide if it would look right with what I already have.

Welcome mate. How is life in Portugal? :cool:

@TaeTae There's a cool one in Mike Rubendall's portfolio page 4

http://www.kingsavenuetattoo.com/artists/mike-rubendall-g4/

That's a big Kirin. Very nice. Thanks.

@Cork Haha, I have often looked at that image myself. I'm sure someone somewhere has that very Kirin tattooed on them, if not for Japanese art, but for their love of beer.

I've been collecting pictures of Kirin's as reference for the rest of Auspicious leg piece.

Very beautiful when paired with Sakura, same with Baku.

By Chio Tattoo art in Portugal

An old Chinese painting I found while searching.

Any of you guys have any other Kirin reference?

I have a large peony to the side of it now (see above), done less than 2 years ago. The original tattoo was done in late 1982, almost 31 years ago! Fortunately there wasn't much dark shading in it and the brown went right over the black hair. The dog itself is a light purple, which will come out when it heals up. The flowers will be done in pink and other colors and I'm going for the sleeve.

It was done at Studio 69 on Long island, NY by Gina Sherry. I have forged a great relationship with her over the years. She was totally psyched to do it and we made up a lot of the details as we went along.

Rob

Wow man, 31 years? Sounds like will be a great looking sleeve when done. They are usually depicted in pairs so will you be adding another shishi?

I sat in the chair for 4 hours last nite having an old fu-dog freshened up. My forearm is still swollen and bruised up here and there. I have the 2nd appointment for early 2014 to finish the whole forearm.

Rob

Really cool! Put some peonies around that, and you've got an awesome sleeve. Karajishi Botan, is the most harmonious and beautiful combination in Japanese tattoo in my opinion.

Btw who is the artist that re-worked this?

Welcome. How is Sweden this time of year? Always wanted to visit! :)

What kind of art are you into? What style will your sleeve be? Look forward to seeing your work!

Cheers!

Living in the middle east, the attention can get quite extreme. Some of those people have never even seen a white person before, let alone blonde hair, and multicoloured arms. I Don't mind the stares so much in general, but I hate it when I am eating in a restaurant. People touching me without warning too. I tend to cover up most of the time now.

I think that Mike on Munewari Minutes discussed this a bit, and provided links: Munewari Minutes September 2011 posts. That's all I've got.

Thanks mate, interseting stuff. I also really like the small tattoo under the sleeve. My tattooist told me about this tradition, not many people are aware of it so it is quite rarely seen especially by western artists.

Here is mine

Now I am considering these type of roasary/beads.

Hi guys,

Does anyone have any or could link me to some reference material for Japanese Buddhist rosary tattoos. Sometimes referred to as Mala beads.

I know there are a few different styles used in Japanese tattooing, but I am struggling to find a search that yields results. I have come across them before online and can't find them anymore.

Some can be plain colour and some can have Bonji in them.

I have plenty of reference for the neck Rosary like this

If anyone has any material like the ones around the wrists, that would be great, thanks.

@TaeTae Just my profile picture. Nothing huge. Just a anchor under my eye. I've seen people with totaly covered faces, and imo it looks creepy. When it comes to the face, less is more :-)

Looks like you pull that off pretty well mate. Not something I could do but fair play to you. Never seen anyone in person with a covered face tattoo, but yeah I can imagine that would be pretty creepy.

I just got a small facial tattoo last month. It was something I'd been thinking about for a long time. It was a big step, but since it's illegal to tattoo hands, fingers, neck and face in Denmark (I've had hands/fingers done), I figured it wouldn't make people stare more at me, than they already do. One of the reasons why it's banned in DK is because of the way it affects your chances of getting a job, and since I quit being a coorporate minion, and started a life of being a poor but free artist/illustrator, that doesn't really apply to me, so in a sence, I guess you could see it as a statement. There are a few people with facial tattoos in Denmark. Mostly douchebags who wanna look badass.

Do you have any pictures? I am curious. Thanks