Side by side
| Traditional | Japanese (Irezumi) | |
|---|---|---|
| Motifs | Swallows, roses, anchors, daggers, eagles | Dragons, koi, waves, peonies, tigers |
| Composition | Stand-alone images | One flowing piece with a background |
| Typical size | Small to large | Large — sleeves, backs, chest panels |
| Sessions | Often one | Usually several |
| Ageing | Known for staying readable | Bold contrast tends to stay readable |
Which suits your trip
A traditional piece often fits a single session, which makes it an easy holiday tattoo. A Japanese piece is usually a longer project — many people plan the whole design, start it on one visit and continue on the next. See planning a sleeve.
Questions to ask the artist
- Do you have healed work in this style?
- Could my idea work as one stand-alone image, or does it want a larger composition?
- How many sessions would it take, and how does that fit my stay?
General information, not medical advice. Your artist's instructions come first; for anything worrying, see a doctor.