yakuza tattoMonday, January 31, 2011
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Yakuza Tattoos come in different styles and forms
Yakuza tattoos come in different styles and forms. They are often done in colored inks and their designs make bold statements. Yakuza tattoos are often placed in body spots that are often exposed for the entire world to see. You can often see them on their hands, arms, chest and necks. Because of the relation of Yakuza to tattoos, you cannot blame a normal Japanese to be afraid and slightly frightened of some people with large and daring tattoos. It is common for heavily tattooed people to be banned in public and some exclusive hotels. Yakuza is known to tattoo their own members. If you see a black ring around an arm of a Yakuza, this can stand for the number of crimes he committed.
Yakuza Tattoo
Yakuza Tattoo
Yakuza Tattoo
Yakuza Tattoo
Yakuza TattooYakuza TattooYakuza TattooYakuza TattooYakuza Japanese Tattoo Style in Greenpeace ad
Greenpeace commissioned these print ads to depict richly decorated tattoos on Japanese men. Look closely and you’ll see whales being butchered by the different characters.
The tagline for these images are “Not all traditions deserve to be preserved. Put an end to whaling in Japan.”
Via I Believe in Advertising
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Tattoo News Review
Tons of tattoo stories topped the headlines, and I've trolled through them all to bring ya the good, bad and the whatthefuck.N+S keeps our focus on stellar tattoo art, like this fresh work from Jondix in Spain (who's part of my upcoming Black Tattoo Art book); however, we will on occasion link to examples of the WTF if only to feel a sense of unbridled tattoo superiority. And so, behold COED Mag's What Were They Thinking gallery.
Many of the tattoos shown are featured the book No Regrets: The Best, Worst, & Most #$%*ing Ridiculous Tattoos Ever but there are some new gems like the Hasselhoff Ode and Chris Farley memorial tattoo. Looking at them, I feel better about myself already. And that is the power of tattoo. [Thanks, Father Panik, for the
UFC's Alan Belcher did not make the WTF list with his deformed Johnny Cash portrait tattoo.
As for the bad ...
I really don't know what's worse: Canada's CTA excessive use of "tramp stamp" in a removal story (and quoting a doc who says women can't get epidurals because of them -- not true) or starting off the article with reference to some shmuck who wanted a corkscrew tattoo removed from his penis. CTA did get the title right though -- Laser treatment is not quick fix. For stupid.
Then there's this going-to hell-bad: Texas Man Sought for Unpaid Bill for God Tattoo.
And the badass...
Burn Magazine's Eye of the Beholder story/photo by Anton Kusters who is documenting a Yakuza family in Kabukicho, Japan. One of our faves, Susanah Breslin, has been guest blogging for Boing Boing and included this powerful image in her collection of wondrous things.This one is pretty wondrous to me ... "Man resurrects friend's ashes into tattoo." Granted, this isn't the first time I've heard stories like this but I always get goosebumps at the thought of actually wearing a loved one in my skin. I think it's a beautiful tribute but I wonder if anything else gets carried over in the ash. Just sayin.
In good news ...
Reuters reports that there are less Iraqis getting tattoos used to ID their bodies, and instead are opting for artful ink. In 2005 and 2006, I blogged, on Needled.com, stories of how many caught in the mission-accomplished zone were getting identifying information tattooed on various limbs in case they were mutilated. One Bagdad tattoo artist said that, while many young men today are coming in for motifs like dragons and tigers instead of their names and addresses, he still keeps a low profile "for fear of being attacked by extremists who see his work as being prohibited by Islam or too Westernized."
A couple seeking to open a tattoo studio in Tempe, Arizona who had their business permit revoked won the right to open up shop, again. The city had appealed a court ruling in favor of the couple but to no avail. When will cities learn to stop wasting money on these suits and allow studios to open, thereby bringing more money into city tax coffers?
In celeb tattoo news ...
The LA Times reports that High Voltage tattoo, featured on the reality show LA Ink, is now a top tourist destination along with Kim Kardashian's clothing stores and The Hill's hot spots. The article says, "The manager of High Voltage Tattoo estimates that 90% of its customers are fans of the TV show." So I guess that makes only 10% serious tattoo collectors?
I'm no hater, but I'm not lovin the show either, especially after reading in Inked Mag that top tattooists Hannah Aitchison and Kim Saigh won't be returning to the show because of their lack of drama. I prefer my artists drama-free, thanks, and if they have more time for yoga practice before opening up my skin, well, the better. [Although a faux Aitchison/Saigh lesbian relationship would've been a hot episode.]
The new season will get plenty of drama with the addition of Rock of Love hot mess Aubry Fisher.
By the way Kim's new Vans are out. Nice.Also check Margaret Cho's tattoolicious cover for Unzipped [a gay adult industry mag is obvs NSFW]. Her new show Drop Dead Diva premiered this week and is a comedy with body image as its central theme, one not uncommon to heavily tattooed peeps. I loved it.
Ashley Tisdale got a tattoo. Yeah, I don't care either.
Another autograph tattoo, this time, Paul McCartney. Let it
Cameron Diaz sports a faux tattoo on V Mag in her tribute cover to Madonna.
Japanese Tattoo Sexy Body for Women
Japanese Tattoo Sexy Body for Women (1)
Japanese Tattoo Sexy Body for Women (2)
Japanese Tattoo Sexy Body for Women (3)
Japanese Tattoo Sexy Body for Women (4)
Japanese Tattoo Sexy Body for Women (5) Monday, January 17, 2011
Japanese Tattoo Koi Fish
Japanese Tattoo Koi Fish (1)
Japanese Tattoo Koi Fish (2)
Japanese Tattoo Koi Fish (3)
Japanese Tattoo Koi Fish (4)
Japanese Tattoo Koi Fish (5) 
Sunday, January 16, 2011
All About Back Tattoos
When it comes to both privacy and pride, no tattooable area is quite as versatile as the back. If you're the kind of person that's a bit shy about having a tattoo for all to see, you can cover your back tattoos by simply putting on a shirt or a blouse, but if you're a bit of the body proud type a back tattoo is perfect for putting your style and your decorated physique on display.Consider Size Placement
Those tattoos lend themselves well to flattering you back. Because your back isn't just a flat space, there are so many possibilities; The shoulder blades can be emphasized by a tattoo design, the curve of the spine can be played up, back tattoos can mirror each other on either side to create a surreal effect or you can have a tattoo design stretching from one shoulder to the other to draw attention to their width and/or shape and the lower back; the most prefere tattoo location for the ladies.
The back tattoos you choose don't have to be all one tattoo or one kind either as long as they look attractive together. You can get one that are reminiscent of scenes in a favourite story of yours, or you can combine them such as flowers, tribal patterns and symbols or animals to make up a complex ensemble or even have a collage created with several tattoos overlapping each other in an interesting way. The only thing you need to keep in mind here about back tattoos is that where certain elements are along with the kinds of clothes that you plan on wearing will have an effect on how your back tattoos will be seen. Short tops, off shoulder shirts or V-back cuts, low rise pants, things like that will have your back tattoos peeping out to wink at anyone who might happen to notice the art your wearing so you kind of want to think about what they'll be seeing there.
Play with the surface
The back is a rather special place to get a tattoo because unlike anywhere else on the body it provides a large enough canvas to have a landscape scene depicted on it as well as any elaborate combination of tattoos or even a sizable graphic design that you might like to have. There's also a great freedom of choice when getting back tattoos because if you need to hide your tattoo you can.
Don't forget Healing time
The last thing you need to be mindful of is the healing. Think about your job, if you happen to have an office job you have to realize that it won't be great for your tattoos healing process. A back tattoo won't heal well if you've got to sit back in a chair with your fresh tattoo pressed up against it. Also if you've got to go every hour or so to the bathroom to wash it up and put medicine on it that can be more trouble than you want to put up with but don't drop the idea of getting your back tattoos. Just wait till your vacation time and you'll be able to take it easy and let your tattoo heal up stress free while you're out and about having a good time (J H).
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