Glossary15 January 2026 · 1 min read

Japanese (Irezumi)

The Japanese style, or irezumi, has a long tradition and uses subjects such as dragons, koi, lotus flowers and waves, with firm outlines, solid fields and compositions that follow the body's shape. Traditional irezumi has its own rules; many artists also work with modern interpretations.

Why it matters: It requires clean outlines and large fills. Out of respect for the tradition, the term should be used with care and not as a mere decorative label.

Related: Traditional, Packing, Shading, Lining.

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Guide4 min readReading a style: six elements for looking at a tattooStyle labels help find one's way around, but they say little on their own: two tattoos called the same thing can be very different, and a work can sit between two styles. This guide proposes a method for looking at a tattoo by observing six concrete elements: line, colour, contrast, composition, depth and subject. With these elements the families of styles can be recognised, what is seen can be described, and one can understand from which traditions and influences they come. The styles mentioned have a glossary entry; here the interest is in how to look at them.

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