Japanese Koi Tattoos
By relache
About Koi Tattoos
The history and mythology of koi goes back to China, over 2,000 years ago, and these images and stories were absorbed into Japanese culture like so many other things. They have been kept as auspicious pets dating back hundreds of years. They have been popular images throughout the history of Japanese tattoo designs and as that style is now very prevalent in Western tattoo culture, so is the Japanese koi tattoo.
In real-life, these fish are ornamental carp kept in backyard ponds and water gardens. They were bred from ordinary fish to develop their distinct and fantastic patterns and colors. The only thing more fantastical than the array of colors that these fish have in the real world is the patterns and colors they are depicted with in tattoo designs.
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Tattoo Sleeve Cloth Arm Art - Koi Carp Surf T52
Current Bid: $3.91
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LUCKY BRAND MENS LARGE LINEN LONG SLEEVE KOI TATTOO SHIRT BUTTON DOWN
Current Bid: $29.99
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Giant Koi Fish Yakuza Tattoo t-shirt v-neck short sleeve size S M L XL
Current Bid: $17.12
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- A Koi On Keith Alexander
Keith Alexander was a long-time body mod enthusiast who created an amazing blog, chronicling the creation of his koi back tattoo. Sadly, he was killed in a bike accident in NYC, but his blog has been maintained as a memorial by his friends. - Why a Koi Tattoo? | The World Is Not Flat (TwinF)
Here is a personal account of one man's choice to get a koi tattoo. He details his reasons for picking this design and how it fits into his personal history. - Michael McClure Family Commentary: Koi Tattoo
This is the archive of a series of blog entries, following along as Michael gets an extensive koi tattoo. The entries start in 2006 and run into 2007.
Bleeding Koi Design
The History of Koi
Koi is the Japanese word for "brocaded carp" and refers to the large, colorful fish that have been bred and kept in ponds for centuries. The formal name Nishigikoi translates as "living jewels." Careful breeding of these fish really got a modern foothold in the 1800s, and it has produced a rainbow of colors and a variety of specific body markings in the years since.
They are part of Japanese mythology and are symbols of strength, perseverance and courage. These fish are very long-lived under the right conditions and this is what has contributed to these interpretations and associations. In myth, the very strong koi will be able to swim upstream and leap the waterfalls, being rewarded at the end of the journey by being turned into a dragon.
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NEW ED HARDY TATTOO KOI FISH SILICONE DARK FIRMING INDOOR TANNING BED TAN LOTION
Current Bid: $19.94
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ED HARDY TATTOO ART BLUE FOLD OVER KOI FISH DRAWSTRING CAPRI CROPPED PANTS M
Current Bid: $8.99
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ED HARDY BABY *3/6 M* KOI FISH W/OCEAN WAVES TATTOO ONE PIECE *FREE EXPEDITED SP
Current Bid: $10.97
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More about Japanese Koi Tattoos
- Japanese Tattoos
A great link for more background on Japanese tattooing in general. Photos, resources, books and a listing of tattoo artists in Japan. - Koi Tattoo Design Meaning and Symbolism
Here is some of the history behind the symbolism of a koi tattoo. - Koi Tattoo Gear
Great t-shirts, boots and more with Japanese koi tattoo designs on them. - Koi Fish tattoos - what do they mean? Tattoos Designs & Symbols - tattoo meanings
Koi Fish tattoos - what do they mean? Tattoo Designs & Symbols - Koi Fish tattoo meanings - Koi Fish Symbols and Their Meanings
The meaning of the Koi fish is often a mystery to those outside of Japan. And yet many are intrigued when they see a Koi pond or run across someone who wear a koi tattoo.
From sketch to finished tattoo
Click thumbnail to view full-size
The Story of Crystal's Koi
The tattoo you see here is on the leg of my friend Crystal. She'd had a few smaller tattoos before, but when it came time for something large, she picked a koi. I think the symbolism of perseverance fits well with how she's overcome many challenges in her life.
The tattoo was designed and tattooed by Bill Liberty. His shop, Liberty Tattoo, is located in Sacramento, CA, where Crystal lives. She's a big lady and she decided to put this tattoo on her thigh, so it's pretty large. It starts a little above her left knee and runs up to the top of her thigh. The entire tattoo took several sessions. Large, complex tattoos are most often done in stages, with the colors being added from darkest to brightest. So first the black outline and shading was done. Then all of the blue water coloring and shading was done. And finally, the brightly colored fish and flower were finished.
See A Koi Coming To Life
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Live Imported Japanese Koi Fish
Current Bid: $590.00
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28 LIVE JAPANESE BLACK TRAPDOOR POND SNAILS~ KOI FISH ALGAE CONTROL
Current Bid: $34.75
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Live Imported Japanese Koi Fish
Current Bid: $385.00
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Comments About Koi Tattoos
I simply adore koi tattoos. I was fortunate enough to have a dear friend have one of the most stunning tattoos placed on her back by an amazing artist while I watched, ever since I have had a huge affinity for them. Your post was wonderful thanks so much for writing it.
Relache: What a wonderful little discovery this morning. I very much enjoyed this hub. I love tattoos, and have had the idea of a koi tattoo tucked into the back of my mind. I think the hardest part of getting a tattoo is finding an artist you trust. The detail of your hub is awesome. It encompasses the history of the fish and the fish as a tattoo perfectly. I like also that you have included outside links to deeper information. A great example of how a hub should flow. Thank you for writing this.
iv'e had a very good cover up with a japenese peony and a koi design around my lower right arm . at the moment iv'e had 2 sitting's and about anouther 3 and ill be done . when done ill show you a good picture . happy tattooing and more from me soon .........
I LOVE FISH TATOO
Really awesome tattoos, nice bright and very beautiful colours. its Great Hub
C, if you actually read my Hub, you'll notice I don't connect the Yakuza with koi imagery at all. Kat Von D is known for her artwork, not her brains.
The Yakuza have no direct association purely with Koi, although this doesn’t mean that they do not represent themselves in this art form. In the main, the Yakuza style of tattoo is reflected in modern day art forms using the stronger and more dangerous symbols such as the tiger or the snake, these are far more prominent in the Yakuza tattoo art forms. In fact more prominient is the style of the Japanese warrior in the act of slaying Japanese mythical beasts, this style is very popular and far more prominent than that of the koi fish art.
I like the Koi tattoos that make a Ying/Yang pattern. Interesting photos.
heres a link to my tatt hope it works.
im getting a koi tatt next week cant wait :)
Beautiful colours. Definitely some of the most interesting designs on offer
i love the colours in the koi. the flowers are also nice i would get this
great...ihave a japanese koi tattoo in my lift armm..awesom....
Amazing tattoos.. i love em and have a Chinese one on my right arm too - though its nothing like these :) lol
I love the bright colors in Koi tattoos.. Great hub topic.
I have just finished drawing a koi fish to a possible tattoo but I had a mistake on the koi's face :(
@relache...I'm in the process of getting that sleeve now...I have three sessions done. I took the fish from up here but he switched it up...I'll post pictures when it's done. :)
Full-body tattooing carries the strongest Yakuza connotations. And tattooed women are sometimes considered to be Yakaza property. However, younger people are embracing the Western perception of tattoos more as a fashion, and in a generation or two that attitude will most like have changed.
It might be beneficial for people to know that the Koi tattoo (and most tottoos in Japan) are linked in the public mind with the Japanese Mafia. There are even signs in public baths that say "No Tattoos". This could be why Kat Von D. won't do them.
Fortadam 4 months ago
Someday I'll get a tattoo ... I just don't know what of yet. These are beautiful designs though!