Samurai Tattoo — 115 Ideas

A menacing samurai in full combat gear is a typically masculine tattoo. This image is often chosen by fans of Japanese culture.

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A menacing samurai in full combat gear is a typically masculine tattoo. This image is often chosen by fans of Japanese culture.

The meaning of the samurai tattoo

There is a legend that in Japan only members of the Yakuza group have the right to have the image of a warrior tattooed on their skin. In our country, anyone can get a samurai tattoo.

A portrait of a Japanese warrior in armor symbolizes power, willpower and spirit. Such a person is deeply devoted to loved ones or an idea, and honors the traditions of their ancestors.

Design options for a tattoo depicting a samurai

The whipshading style is often used for such sketches: it perfectly conveys the gloom and menacing appearance of the warrior. Trash polka is also well suited for this purpose: sweeping scarlet strokes serve as an excellent contrast to the dark silhouette of the samurai. The background or the sun rising behind the man is highlighted in red.

Samurai tattoos are often done using the “sleeve” technique. They depict:

• close-up portraits;
• silhouettes of warriors against the backdrop of mountains or pagodas.

Often samurai appear on tattoos in Mengu - terrifying masks that served a protective function in battle.

Popular areas for drawing are the shoulders and chest. Often samurai tattoos are placed on the entire leg or back, and sometimes cover the entire body. The latter option is especially relevant among the Japanese yakuza.

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