Japanese Dragon Sleeve.

This Japanese Dragon Sleeve done in Black and Grey. Half Sleeve with chest piece. Dragon surrounded by clouds and sakura blossoms.

Dragon in Japanese Culture.

Japanese dragons (日本の竜 Nihon no ryū) are diverse legendary creatures in Japanese mythology and folklore. Japanese dragon myths amalgamate native legends with imported stories about dragons from China, Korea and India.

The style of the dragon was heavily influenced by the Chinese dragon. Like these other Asian dragons, most Japanese ones are water deities associated with rainfall and bodies of water, and are typically depicted as large, wingless, serpentine creatures with clawed feet.

The modern Japanese language has numerous “dragon” words, including indigenous tatsu from Old Japanese ta-tu, Sino-Japaneseryū or ryō 竜 from Chinese lóng 龍, nāga ナーガ from Sanskrit nāga, and doragon ドラゴン from English “dragon” (the latter being used almost exclusively to refer to the European dragon and derived fictional creatures). (Wikipedia)

Dragon Japanese Tattoos: wisdom, strength, force for good, wind/water. Dragons in the West traditionally symbolizestrength, ferocity, and wealth. Dragons are destructive forces, but they are also considered guardians.

Black and Grey Japanese Dragon Sleeve done by George Bardadim, Tattoo Artist based in NYC.