Japanese Temporary Tattoo

The art of Japanese tattooing is called Irezumi. It is an ancestral art that dates back several centuries. The first traces and history of the Japanese tattoo come from the Ainu tribe.

History of Japanese tattoos

The Japanese Irezumi tattoo style has a bad connotation in the land of the rising sun. In Japanese culture, people with tattoos were associated with prisoners, thugs, and gangsters for centuries... They were tattooed by the authorities as a token of punishment for their misdeeds.

Even today, it is impossible for a person with tattoos to go to an onsen (bathhouse) or a Ryokan. The Yakuza mafia has totally appropriated this symbolism by tattooing large parts of the body: arms, back, legs, neck, etc... It is a mandatory Yakuza rite of passage because the bamboo tattoo with needle and ink is so painful and long that it takes a lot of courage to finish a full tattoo...

The traditional Irezumi tattoo is associated with Japanese folklore through demons Oni, Yurei ghosts, and famous people like the demon Tengu, Hannya or the fox god Kitsune. We also find these printed patterns, embroidered in the fashion world (t-shirts, kimono, coats, etc...) or engraved on Japanese jewelry!

Some iconic symbols are also represented in this traditional art. Here is the meaning of the Irezumi tattoos that the most represented:

• the Sakura cherry blossom tattoo symbolizes beauty
• the Japanese dragon tattoo Ryu corresponds to wisdom
• the Japanese crane tattoo Tsuru means longevity
• the Koi carp tattoo is associated with strength and masculinity

Thanks to this collection of temporary tattoos, it is an opportunity for you to show your passion for the universe of Japan without having a tattoo for life. A first tattoo is an important choice, which is why it is important to select your tattoo artist correctly...

How do I apply the temporary Irezumi tattoo?

1. Start by cleaning your skin thoroughly with a towel before putting on the tattoo. You'll have to stick the temporary tattoo on a smooth part of your skin. That is to say hairless. This will allow for a better grip. Be careful, your skin must be completely dry before applying the fake tattoo
   
2. Cut the tattoo with a margin of about one centimeter
   
3. Then carefully remove the plastic film
   
4. Place the tattoo on the front side and apply the good on your skin (smooth, washed and hairless)
   
5. Then start moistening the temporary tattoo with a sponge (not soaked)
   
6. Wait about two minutes and then gently remove the film from one of the corners. Throughout the process, keep dabbing your skin with your damp sponge.
7. To finalize the tattoo, stay as still as possible for more than ten minutes. Avoid sudden movements, and do not stretch your skin until the tattoo is perfectly fixed!