Tattoo style

Japanese traditional tattoos in Japan

Japanese traditional (wabori) is a traditional Japanese tattoo style that depicts Japanese motifs such as dragons, koi, tigers, peonies, and Hannya, combined with backgrounds like waves and clouds. Also known as irezumi, many pieces are large, covering wide areas like arms and backs.

1,381 works on tattooers.jp

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Questions

Are Japanese traditional (wabori) and irezumi the same?

"Irezumi" is a general term referring to the act of applying ink or color to the skin, while Japanese traditional (wabori) is often used to specifically refer to the style of tattooing with traditional Japanese motifs and compositions. On tattooers.jp, we've compiled works tagged "Japanese traditional (wabori)" on this page.

What motifs are common in Japanese traditional (wabori)?

Dragon, Koi, Tiger, Peony, Cherry blossoms, Hannya, and Waves are frequently used. The common motifs listed at the beginning of this page are compiled from the tags of featured works.

How should I choose a Japanese traditional (wabori) artist?

It's recommended to check if the artistic style of their work—including line thickness, color application, and background drawing—matches your vision across multiple pieces. On tattooers.jp, you can view artists' portfolios for more works and estimated prices. To make a booking, please send a request through our form, and we will match you with an artist.