Tebori is the traditional Japanese manual tattooing technique. Instead of an electric machine, the tattoo artist uses a long handle with needles attached to the end, and drives the ink into the skin using repeated, precise and rhythmic movements. The method requires years of practice, great stamina and true mastery of the technique. It is renowned for producing solid colours and shading with a particular depth, which are highly sought after in the most traditional irezumi. It also takes longer than machine work, which is reflected in the duration of the sessions. Today, few tattoo artists practise tebori from start to finish on a single piece. Many combine machine work for certain stages, such as outlines, with manual work for others, such as shading. An irezumi done entirely by machine is no less legitimate: what matters above all is mastery of the composition and symbolism.

What does the koi carp symbolise in Japanese tattooing?

The koi carp symbolises perseverance and strength in the face of adversity. Its meaning stems from a legend of Chinese origin, later adopted in Japan, according to which a carp that manages to swim upstream against the current transforms into a dragon. Hence its most classic depiction: a carp swimming upwards, amidst powerful waves, in a movement that conveys effort and determination. A carp swimming downwards is sometimes interpreted differently, as a goal achieved or a struggle ended, which is why it’s worth discussing this with your tattoo artist before finalising the design. It is one of the most popular motifs in irezumi, and one of the easiest to incorporate into a medium-sized piece, on an arm or a leg. With the waves surrounding it, it already forms a small, complete composition, making it ideal for a first Japanese-inspired piece. And no, it’s not an ambitious goldfish.

Why is the dragon such a common motif in irezumi?

This is because the Japanese dragon bears almost no resemblance to that of European legends. Whilst the West has portrayed it as a menacing creature that a knight must slay, the East Asian dragon embodies wisdom, benevolent strength and protection. It is associated with water, clouds and wind, which is why it almost always appears surrounded by waves or clouds in designs. Its size and movement also make it a perfect motif for large areas: it can coil around an entire arm, cross the back or follow the curve of a leg, guiding the eye along the body. In large designs, it often takes centre stage, with other elements arranged around it. Its posture, colours and surroundings define its meaning within the overall composition. A tattoo artist trained in irezumi will be able to explain these nuances to you before sketching the design.

Why do cherry blossoms feature so often?

Cherry blossoms, or sakura, symbolise the fleeting beauty and impermanence of life. Their flowering season is short and spectacular, and it is precisely this fleeting nature that is celebrated in Japan: the beauty of a moment that does not last. In a tattoo, this presents a lovely paradox, as the most ephemeral of flowers becomes permanent on the skin. In irezumi designs, sakura also play a very practical role. Their light, repetitive silhouette helps to link the main motifs together, fill in spaces and lend rhythm to the overall composition. They often accompany a carp, a dragon or a figure, bringing a touch of softness alongside more powerful motifs. They also appear on their own in smaller pieces, where they retain all their symbolic power. They combine well with waves and clouds, which form the backdrop to large Japanese compositions.

Why are tattoos still frowned upon in Japan?

This is because the history of tattooing in Japan is a complex one. For centuries, it was also used to mark convicts. The Meiji government subsequently banned it in 1872, and the ban was not lifted until 1948. During this long period, tattooing was practised in secret, and it remained associated in the collective imagination with the yakuza, the criminal organisations that wore large, full-body tattoos as a mark of membership. This stigma still has tangible consequences today: many onsen, the traditional hot springs, refuse entry to people with visible tattoos, and some companies remain very strict about visible tattoos. However, attitudes are changing, particularly amongst younger generations and in major cities. In 2020, the Japanese Supreme Court even ruled that tattooing was not a medical procedure, a significant decision for the country’s tattoo artists. If you’re travelling to Japan, simply check before visiting the baths.

Can you get an irezumi tattoo if you’re not Japanese?

Yes. Irezumi has become widely popular around the world, and many tattoo artists outside Japan take their work very seriously. What matters is the approach you take to it. A style so rich in meaning deserves careful consideration of the motifs’ significance, rather than choosing them solely for their aesthetic appeal. A carp, a dragon, a tiger or a deity all convey a message: it’s best to know what that is before committing to it for life. The simplest approach is to consult a tattoo artist trained in this visual language, who will be able to explain the codes to you and create a coherent design, rather than a generalist who might simply assemble Japanese elements at random. Ask them questions about the meaning of each element they suggest. A good irezumi tattoo artist usually loves to talk about it, and it’s also an excellent way to check that they’ve genuinely mastered the style they showcase in their portfolio.

How many sessions does it take for a large irezumi?

Quite a long time, and that’s to be expected. A large design covering a back, an entire arm or a leg is completed over several long sessions, spread out over several months, and sometimes several years for the most ambitious pieces. The exact number depends on the surface area, the density of the design, the technique used and your own pace, so only the tattoo artist can estimate this after sketching out the design. This lengthy process is part of the tradition: irezumi is conceived as a holistic project, sketched out in its entirety from the outset, then executed step by step, often starting with the outlines before moving on to the backgrounds and colours. Between sessions on the same area, you must also allow the skin to heal, which takes three to four weeks according to the French National Health Service. In terms of budget, the cost is therefore spread out over time. Ask the tattoo artist for an overall estimate during your initial consultation, and allow for some leeway to cover any unforeseen costs.

What is the difference between an irezumi and a Japanese-inspired tattoo?

Traditional irezumi follows precise rules of composition. The designs follow the curves of the body, interconnect with one another, and adhere to a hierarchy: a strong central motif, such as a dragon or a carp, surrounded by secondary elements, waves, clouds or flowers, which give structure to the whole and link the different areas together. The piece forms a whole. A tattoo simply inspired by Japan incorporates Japanese visual elements, a wave, a cherry blossom, a mask, without necessarily following this overall structure. The result is then closer to an illustrative or neo-traditional style than to irezumi in the strict sense. Both approaches are entirely legitimate. You simply need to know which one you’re looking for before choosing your tattoo artist, because they require different skills. For a true irezumi, look for someone whose portfolio features complete compositions, not just isolated motifs.

Irezumi, the traditional Japanese tattoo

Irezumi is the traditional Japanese form of tattooing: large designs that follow the contours of the body, featuring koi carp, dragons, tigers, cherry blossoms and waves, where each motif has a specific meaning and a precise place. It is one of the richest and most demanding styles in existence, with a history as beautiful as it is eventful.

If you thought a koi carp was just a goldfish that’d made it big, you’re in for a surprise.

Where does irezumi come from?

A long history, not always a glorious one

Tattooing has existed in Japan for a very long time, with its purposes having changed significantly over the centuries: as decoration, as a spiritual mark, but also, at certain times, as a form of punishment inflicted on convicts in the form of visible marks. It is from this complex history that the figurative and ornamental style now known as irezumi emerged.

The prints that changed everything

In the 19th century, during the Edo period, the painter Utagawa Kuniyoshi published a series of woodblock prints dedicated to the heroes of Suikoden, a popular novel. In these prints, his warriors are depicted covered in spectacular tattoos. According to Nippon.com, these images had a profound influence on irezumi: dragons, tigers and legendary heroes moved from paper to skin, and the large, full-body tattoo became an aesthetic ideal.

Banned for over seventy years

In 1872, the Meiji government banned tattooing, deeming it incompatible with the modern image Japan wished to project to the world. The ban remained in place until 1948. Throughout this period, irezumi survived in the shadows, which reinforced its association with the fringes of society, particularly with the yakuza.

Recent recognition

The year 2020 marked a significant turning point: the Japanese Supreme Court ruled that tattooing was not a medical procedure, thereby putting an end to legal proceedings against tattoo artists accused of practising medicine without a licence. A victory for the entire profession, and another step towards what we champion at Tat’s It: the recognition of tattooing as an art form in its own right.

What is tebori?

Tebori is the traditional manual technique. The tattoo artist uses a long handle fitted with needles and works the ink into the skin using rhythmic movements, without a machine. It takes years to master the technique, and requires stamina on both sides of the needle.

The technique is renowned for its solid colours and shading of particular depth. Today, many tattoo artists combine machine work with hand-stitching, depending on the stage of the process. An irezumi created entirely by machine is by no means illegitimate: what defines irezumi is, first and foremost, its composition and symbolism.

What do the major irezumi designs mean?

Design	Main meaning	Role in the design
Koi carp	Perseverance, strength in the face of adversity	Central design, often featuring waves
Dragon	Wisdom, benevolent strength, protection	Central design for large pieces
Tiger	Courage, protection against evil spirits	Main or secondary design
Cherry blossoms	Transient beauty, impermanence	Connecting element, rhythm
Waves and clouds	Water, air, movement	Grid linking all the elements
Heroes and deities	Loyalty, integrity, protection	Central motif, often drawn from legends

The koi carp

It stems from a legend of Chinese origin, which was adopted in Japan: the carp that manages to swim up a waterfall transforms into a dragon. Hence its most classic depiction, swimming upwards amidst powerful waves. It embodies perseverance, and is one of the easiest designs to adapt to a medium-sized tattoo.

The dragon

Forget the European dragon that guards a treasure and sends knights fleeing. The Japanese dragon embodies wisdom and protection, and is associated with water and wind. Its long, supple silhouette makes it the ideal design to wrap around an arm or across a back.

The tiger

A symbol of courage and protection against evil spirits, the tiger is often associated with the wind or bamboo. It is sometimes paired with the dragon, with the two forces complementing one another from one part of the body to another.

Cherry blossoms

Sakura celebrate the beauty of a fleeting moment. It’s a lovely paradox for a tattoo, which makes the most ephemeral of flowers permanent. In large designs, they link the main motifs and add rhythm.

Waves and clouds

They are the unsung heroes of irezumi. They form the framework that connects all the elements, fill in the spaces and guide the eye along the curves of the body. Without them, a large piece would look like a collection of stickers.

How is an irezumi design created?

This is what really sets irezumi apart from a simple Japanese design. The body is not seen as a series of separate areas, but as the canvas for a single composition. Large pieces, an entire back, a whole arm, or sometimes almost the entire body, follow a precise logic:

a striking central motif, often a dragon, a carp, a tiger or a hero;
accompanying secondary elements, such as flowers, leaves and animals;
a background of waves, clouds or wind, which brings the whole design together and connects the different sections.

This hierarchy is not merely decorative: every element has a meaning and a place. A tattoo artist trained in irezumi handles this grammar almost like a language, which explains why this style requires extensive and specialised training. To compare it with other major styles, see our overview of tattoo styles.

Why is irezumi still frowned upon in Japan?

This is because more than seventy years of prohibition and the association with the yakuza have left their mark. Even today, many onsen, traditional hot springs, refuse entry to people with visible tattoos, and some companies remain very strict about visible tattoos.

The paradox is striking: irezumi is admired worldwide as the pinnacle of tattoo art, yet it remains frowned upon in its own country. Attitudes are changing, particularly amongst young people and in the big cities. But if you’re travelling to Japan with a visible tattoo, do check before visiting public baths: some establishments allow it, others offer to cover it up, whilst others refuse entry.

This tendency to judge a person by their tattoos is something we’re familiar with in France too, albeit in other forms. It’s one of the reasons behind Tat’s It, and we discuss this in our article on tattoos in the workplace.

How can we approach irezumi with respect?

Irezumi has spread throughout the world, driven by the beauty of its designs. There’s nothing to stop you from getting one even if you’re not Japanese, provided you take it seriously:

find out about the meaning of the designs you choose;
Avoid a patchwork of Japanese motifs chosen solely for their appearance;
Choose a tattoo artist trained in this style, who can explain each element to you.

It is this approach that allows irezumi to travel the world without losing its depth.

Where should you start if you’re tempted by irezumi?

There’s no need to commit to a full-back design straight away. Many large designs start with a medium-sized piece, and this is often the best way to get a feel for the style.

Start with a small, complete design. A carp swimming through waves on the forearm, a tiger and bamboo on the calf, a bouquet of peonies on the shoulder: these pieces already form a coherent whole, with a main motif and its background, without taking dozens of hours.

Think about the long term right from the start. If you envisage a full sleeve one day, let the tattoo artist know. They’ll position the first piece and arrange the waves or clouds so that it can be extended naturally, rather than being stuck in the middle of your arm.

Choose the area based on the design. Irezumi follows the contours of the body: a dragon works best on large, curving areas, whilst a carp is better suited to a more elongated area. Our guide to tattoos by body area helps you visualise the possibilities.

Make sure you look after your tattoo between sessions. A large tattoo involves several stages of healing. Our week-by-week healing guide explains what to expect at each stage.

How do you choose a tattoo artist who specialises in irezumi?

This is even more crucial than for other styles. Take a look at their portfolio with these criteria in mind:

complete designs, not just individual motifs ‘inspired by Japan’;
photographs of designs at various stages, to assess the composition;
photos of healed tattoos, to see how the colours and backgrounds hold up;
A genuine exploration of symbolism during the consultation, not merely a juxtaposition of designs.

And, of course, the basic requirements that apply to all tattoo artists: hygiene training, registration with the ARS, a dedicated studio, and single-use equipment. Our guide to finding a tattoo artist in Paris sets out the method in detail, which can be applied to any city.

In terms of budget and timing, a large irezumi takes months, sometimes years, to complete, session by session. Our guide to tattoo prices will help you plan ahead.

Find out more

An irezumi is a lifelong project, undertaken with a tattoo artist who understands every aspect of the art form. To find certified tattoo artists near you and browse their designs before getting in touch, download Tat’s It, the 100 per cent free app: the links are just below.

An idea, a tattoo, Tat’s It.