9. Samurai Mask Tattoos

A Japanese samurai mask was typically unique to the man who wore it. In many senses, the skull armor was considered to embody the swordsman’s soul. Several superstitions believe that these awe-inspiring helmets contain the long-deceased spirits of Japan’s original conquerors.

10. Japanese Wave Tattoos

Japanese wave tattoos are typically representative of power, fluidity, and movement, and can represent the ever-changing nature of life. Just as with water and the ocean, life can be gentle and breezy during the simple times and tumultuous during the hard. Some Japanese artistic pieces have been translated directly into tattoos, like the famous ‘Great Wave’ by Katsushika Hokusai.

11. Japanese Cherry Blossom Tattoos

The cherry blossom, or sakura, represent beauty and the fragility of life. It is often used to pair off with many masculine tattoo themes to provide harmony, since the sakura is often associated with femininity and grace. This pink and yellow flowers of the sakura bloom briefly during spring time in Japan, and are one of the most important and integral part of culture and mythology.

12. Japanese Sleeve Tattoos

There’s no denying the appeal of the artistic Japanese tattoo culture with its beautiful floral designs, deep meanings, and complementary motifs. The style is more popular now than ever, especially when it comes to sleeves. By adopting yobori style and the machine, artists can now make Japanese sleeve tattoos to life quicker and more effectively, despite losing some of the mystique.

13. Japanese Flower Tattoos

Japanese flower tattoos represent the top-notch tradition of ancient Asian art. Representing the complete life cycle as well as sexual prowess and beauty, the flower tattoo promotes a surprisingly masculine motif. With a Japanese flower tattoo, you can draw from this solid tradition in the form of motivational body art, either as the shudai – central theme – or secondary piece of the design (keshoubori).