Japanese tattoo ideas
Japanese traditional tattoos made on FontVibe. Use one and change the motif, colors or placement.
What to describe for a Japanese tattoo
The motif, the background and the colors that make an irezumi piece.
Motif
Traditional irezumi draws on dragons, koi, tigers, phoenixes, snakes, folklore heroes and Noh masks such as the hannya.
Sources: Wikipedia — Irezumi
Background
Clouds, waves and wind bars fill the space around the main motif and tie the piece together.
Sources: Wikipedia — Irezumi
Colors
Choose full color or black and grey.
Placement
Japanese pieces are planned around the body, from a small panel to a sleeve or back piece.
Irezumi style and Japanese brush fonts
The irezumi style and the brush fonts for any word you add.
AI styles 1Browse all styles
Other tattoo designs to make
Each kind of tattoo has its own page, with ideas, lettering and a checklist. All Tattoo →
Before you book: checklist and sizes
Before you book
- 1Think big: irezumi is planned around the body, and a full back piece or bodysuit can take years of sessions
- 2Keep the background in the plan: waves, clouds and wind bars are what join a Japanese piece together
- 3Text is rare in irezumi; if you add a word or name, check every letter before you book
- 4Many public baths, gyms and hot springs in Japan still turn away people with tattoos; keep that in mind if you travel
- 5Bring the design to the consultation; your artist redraws it to fit your body
Sources: Wikipedia — Irezumi
Sizes and files
| Shape | Free download | Fits |
|---|---|---|
| Tall (2:3) | 1664 × 2496 px PNG | Sleeves, back pieces, calf or thigh |
| Square (1:1) | 2048 × 2048 px PNG | A mask, a koi or a shoulder piece |
| Wide (3:2) | 2496 × 1664 px PNG | A chest panel |
Your artist resizes the reference to the size you agree on.
Tags in Japanese tattoo
Every tag used on this page — each opens the designs, fonts and styles that share it.
Japanese tattoo questions
How to make a Japanese tattoo design
- 1Pick the motifSay the motif, a koi, dragon, tiger, phoenix or hannya mask, the background and where it goes.
- 2GenerateFontVibe draws it in the irezumi tradition: bold outlines, waves, clouds and wind bars.
- 3AdjustOpen Edit to change the colors, swap the background or make it black and grey.
- 4Show your artistDownload it as a PNG or JPG and take it to your consultation.
Japanese tattoo ideas
Japanese traditional tattoos made on FontVibe. Use one and change the motif, colors or placement.
What to describe for a Japanese tattoo
The motif, the background and the colors that make an irezumi piece.
Motif
Traditional irezumi draws on dragons, koi, tigers, phoenixes, snakes, folklore heroes and Noh masks such as the hannya.
Sources: Wikipedia — Irezumi
Background
Clouds, waves and wind bars fill the space around the main motif and tie the piece together.
Sources: Wikipedia — Irezumi
Colors
Choose full color or black and grey.
Placement
Japanese pieces are planned around the body, from a small panel to a sleeve or back piece.
Irezumi style and Japanese brush fonts
The irezumi style and the brush fonts for any word you add.
Other tattoo designs to make
Each kind of tattoo has its own page, with ideas, lettering and a checklist. All Tattoo →
Before you book: checklist and sizes
Before you book
- 1Think big: irezumi is planned around the body, and a full back piece or bodysuit can take years of sessions
- 2Keep the background in the plan: waves, clouds and wind bars are what join a Japanese piece together
- 3Text is rare in irezumi; if you add a word or name, check every letter before you book
- 4Many public baths, gyms and hot springs in Japan still turn away people with tattoos; keep that in mind if you travel
- 5Bring the design to the consultation; your artist redraws it to fit your body
Sources: Wikipedia — Irezumi
Sizes and files
| Shape | Free download | Fits |
|---|---|---|
| Tall (2:3) | 1664 × 2496 px PNG | Sleeves, back pieces, calf or thigh |
| Square (1:1) | 2048 × 2048 px PNG | A mask, a koi or a shoulder piece |
| Wide (3:2) | 2496 × 1664 px PNG | A chest panel |
Your artist resizes the reference to the size you agree on.
Tags in Japanese tattoo
Every tag used on this page — each opens the designs, fonts and styles that share it.
Japanese tattoo questions
How to make a Japanese tattoo design
- 1Pick the motifSay the motif, a koi, dragon, tiger, phoenix or hannya mask, the background and where it goes.
- 2GenerateFontVibe draws it in the irezumi tradition: bold outlines, waves, clouds and wind bars.
- 3AdjustOpen Edit to change the colors, swap the background or make it black and grey.
- 4Show your artistDownload it as a PNG or JPG and take it to your consultation.