Traditions of Irezumi

The traditions of Irezumi tattoos form the foundation of what is known today as the classic Japanese tattoo style. With centuries of history, this art form carries cultural, spiritual, and symbolic depth that sets it apart from modern approaches.

Historical Background

The story of Japanese tattoo history reaches back to the Jōmon period, but it was during the Edo era that Irezumi took its most iconic shape. Inspired by ukiyo-e woodblock prints, tattoos of heroes, demons, dragons, and landscapes transformed the human body into a living canvas. These traditions gave Irezumi its visual power and symbolic authority.

Traditions

Zen Principles

Explore the foundational approaches to Japanese tattoo sleeves—each designed to follow the body’s form, express symbolic depth, and honor the flow of traditional composition.

HIKAE

SHOULDERS AND ARMS

The term ‘Hikae’ means “to restrain oneself,” reflecting this classic tattoo layout. Hikae covers the shoulders and arms, allowing tattoos to be easily concealed with a v-neck shirt. Three common types exist: ‘light,’ covering about one-third of the chest; ‘shallow,’ which stays below the chest muscle; and ‘deep,’ extending over the chest and sometimes around the nipples.

Also called a 'short sleeve'.

Half Sleeve

SHICHIBUSODE:

 'The seven-tenth sleeve'

3/4 Sleeve

NAGASODE - Long Sleeves

Full Sleeve

The traditions of Irezumi combine Japanese aesthetics with discipline, creating tattoos that are more than visuals - they are a philosophy etched into the skin.

The Irezumi Style Section

Related Pages

Explore other aspects of traditional Japanese tattoo style and learn more about Irezumi layouts, borders, and philosophy.

Irezumi Layouts

A shirtless man with a colorful tattoo on his arm and chest.
A person with a lot of tattoos on their legs
A woman has a tattoo on her back of a bird and flowers
A shirtless man with a lot of tattoos on his body.