When looking for your next tattoo, there are many styles and designs you can choose from. Most of this will depend on what you feel fits your personality. To find out what fits you best, you should know about the tattoo styles that are an option. One style that might be one of the oldest of all time is the Japanese tattoo style of Irezumi.

In this post we are going to talk about the history of Irezumi and the many symbols within this tattooing style. This style has a long and interesting history, so we think it is important for someone considering Irezumi tattoo to know a bit about the history behind the style and symbols. By the end of this post we hope you feel more comfortable getting the Irezumi tattoo you have been dreaming about.

Check out some of these tattoos before we get too far into it. By looking at these, you will be better prepared for our discussions on the different designs in this style.

History of Irezumi

The history of Irezumi tattooing goes back a long way and it could be described as fascinating. Especially considering the negative connections to tattooing in ancient Japan.

During the Edo period in Japan, they started developing the decorative tattoo instead of the marks done with symbolism and marks of the older times. This style has transformed into what we know today as Irezumi.

This style of tattooing is done by decorating the body with mythical beasts, leaves, flowers and more images from myths, tales and stories. The motivation for the development of Irezumi was the progression and improvement of woodblock prints. It created the want for these Irezumi tattoos because wearing Irezumi meant you were aspiring to accomplish your life goals.

The artists that created the woodblock prints were also the ones that started tattooing. They would use the same tools they used to carve these woodblocks including gouges, chisels and a specific ink called Nara black or Nara ink. This ink turns a bluish-green color under then skin which is the way the original tattoos looked.