What Is Irezumi? — The Meaning Behind Japanese Tattoos
The common term for Japanese tattoo art is Irezumi (入れ墨), meaning to insert ink. This refers to the Japanese tattooing tradition of inserting ink beneath the skin to form the tattoo. Irezumi tattoos derive inspiration from Japanese folklore and mysticism. The most common tattoos are Koi Fish, Samurai, Dragons, and Oni.