Irezumi 入れ墨

[ ee-reh-zoo-mee ]

The traditional Japanese style of tattooing, developed in the Edo Period.

Line drawings of a man and a woman, with different japanese bodysuit placements highlighted in red. The man has a full japanese bodysuit with munewari, and the woman has 7/10th sleeves, stopping below the elbow, with shallow chest plate.

irezumi

Bodysuit Types

Different ways irezumi can fit on the body - backpieces, sleeves and bodysuits

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Outline drawing of the head of a baku, which resembles an elephant’s head. It has a trunk, large tusks, lots of hair, and a singular horn. Used as an example of how a baku would look in irezumi.

Irezumi

Animals & Beasts

Animals and mythological beasts used in Japanese tattooing, and their meanings

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Outline drawing of two Japanese chrysanthemum flowers, one fully bloomed, and one still in bud form, partially bloomed. An example of how chrysanthemums would look in a Japanese tattoo or irezumi

Irezumi

Flowers & Plants

Flowers and plants used in Japanese tattooing, and their meanings

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irezumi

Background Elements

Identifying the different background elements in irezumi

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