Centuries of tradition — dragons, koi, waves, peonies.
Japanese (irezumi) tattooing dates back centuries and follows distinct conventions: bold outlines, flowing backgrounds of wind, water, or clouds, and traditional motifs like dragons, koi, foo dogs, and cherry blossoms. Japanese-style sleeves and back pieces are designed to wrap the body coherently, so artists who specialize tend to plan the full composition before any needle hits skin.
Verified artists in this category list services ranging from about $40 to $2000, with the final price depending on size, detail, placement, and the artist's experience level.