Samurai Japanese Tattoo

George Bardadim • 13 January 2019

Black and grey full sleeve and a chest piece, showcasing Samurai fighting a tiger surrounded by clouds and Sayagata Print.

Sayagata is a pattern of interlocking manji (万字, [卍], swastika) commonly found as the background rinzu pattern on kimono, especially iromuji. It is believed to be a contraction of sa-ayagata (gossamer figured-cloth pattern).

Sayagata originated in India as a motif often applied to Buddhist architecture. Sayagata was introduced to Japan from China on imported textiles in the TenshĹŤ era (1573-92).

Due to its distinctive repetitive use of negative space, sayagata is often translated into English as “key fret.” Sayagata is less strongly associated with Buddhism than manji. It is associated with strength and frequently appears on the clothing of strong characters, whether heroes or villains, in ukiyo-e. (Source)

This sleeve done in 6 sessions. On these pictures its all dark and irritated, really hope to see it healed someday…

Let the Way flow onward:

from The Symbolic Way

“Symbols speak where words fall silent.”

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