T his page is for people who are looking for a Kanji character for a tattoo. Before you get your Japanese Kanji tattoo, read my step by step instructions, and avoid all the costly mistakes others have made. You will feel much more confident after reading my advice and will get the best possible Kanji tattoo which you can be proud of!
Table of Contents
1 : Step by Step Guide-Getting the Best Japanese Kanji Tattoo
2 : Choosing your Kanji character
3 : Kanji Tattoo Photos(Set 1)
4 : Tattoo Site Reviews
5 : The Best Tattoo Sites Road
6 : Kanji Translation Service
7 : What about Free Tattoo Designs?
8 : Most Popular Kanji Tattoos
9 : Overview of Japanese Writing System
10 : Kanji Tattoo Photos(Set 2)
11 : Books on Japanese Tattooing
12 : Guestbook, feedback appreciated
2 : Choosing your Kanji character
3 : Kanji Tattoo Photos(Set 1)
4 : Tattoo Site Reviews
5 : The Best Tattoo Sites Road
6 : Kanji Translation Service
7 : What about Free Tattoo Designs?
8 : Most Popular Kanji Tattoos
9 : Overview of Japanese Writing System
10 : Kanji Tattoo Photos(Set 2)
11 : Books on Japanese Tattooing
12 : Guestbook, feedback appreciated
Step by Step Guide to Getting the Best Kanji Tattoo
Step 1 - The most important - choose your Kanji characters. I have a list of the best resources below and will talk about this in more detail.
Step 2 - Get the perfect design done by a professional! This is essential, I will give you all the information you need for this.
Step 3 - Decide where you want the tattoo on your body, think long and hard about this, get some advice from friends etc.
Step 4 - Go to your favorite tattooist, or if you are a 1st timer, find a tattooist with a good reputation. Turn that symbol into reality.
Step 2 - Get the perfect design done by a professional! This is essential, I will give you all the information you need for this.
Step 3 - Decide where you want the tattoo on your body, think long and hard about this, get some advice from friends etc.
Step 4 - Go to your favorite tattooist, or if you are a 1st timer, find a tattooist with a good reputation. Turn that symbol into reality.
The Japanese Writing System
There are 3 different alphabets for writing in Japanese
Kanji - This is the alphabet which we commonly think of when looking for Japanese Kanji Tattoos. A Kanji, is typically a symbol for something - either a whole object or an entire meaning. In some cases Kanji cannot always be read directly as a symbol and sometimes has to be combined with other Kanji to make a sentence.
Hiragana - This is the second alphabet commonly used for Japanese. A Hiragana symbol represents a sound, much like the English alphabet. So for example, the word "mountain" may be 4 hiragana symbols, however it may be only 1 Kanji symbol. Basically, you can join Hiragana characters to make a word.
Katakana - This is a similar alphabet to Hiragana. It has the same sounds as Hiragana but has different symbols. This alphabet is used for foreign words that were not originally part of the Japanese language. Typically western style names are written in katakana.
Kanji - This is the alphabet which we commonly think of when looking for Japanese Kanji Tattoos. A Kanji, is typically a symbol for something - either a whole object or an entire meaning. In some cases Kanji cannot always be read directly as a symbol and sometimes has to be combined with other Kanji to make a sentence.
Hiragana - This is the second alphabet commonly used for Japanese. A Hiragana symbol represents a sound, much like the English alphabet. So for example, the word "mountain" may be 4 hiragana symbols, however it may be only 1 Kanji symbol. Basically, you can join Hiragana characters to make a word.
Katakana - This is a similar alphabet to Hiragana. It has the same sounds as Hiragana but has different symbols. This alphabet is used for foreign words that were not originally part of the Japanese language. Typically western style names are written in katakana.
Step 1 - Choose your Kanji Character
T he most important part of the process is choosing the right symbol or phrase. Kanji symbols are ideographic characters, which means each Kanji symbol commonly represents an ENTIRE object, idea or meaning. With Kanji style characters, it is very easy to create and express any meaning you desire!
You will see many tattoo shops offering Japanese Kanji tattoos, unfortunately many of these characters have been altered and are written incorrectly. Unless you have a native Japanese person with you on your visit to the tattooist, you will have no idea if it actually means what you think. Too much risk.
I have a gallery below featuring some of the most popular Kanji symbols with their meanings. Have a look through and see if any catch your eye.
Kanji symbols come in many types of font. Fonts can be thick, thin, traditional, modern, block and cursive - you will see what I mean in the picture below. If you were to decide on a Kanji tattoo, the best thing you could do is get your Japanese Kanji design from a professional in the exact font. This way you will get exactly what you want, it will look much better than you could imagine. I will show you how to do this below. Tattoo design is an exact science, and since it lasts forever, you need do it the right way and be proud of your tattoo forever.
Now you need to decide on which Kanji characters you like, or which specific word or meaning you want. If you don't find something you like here, don't despair, I can still help you get exactly what you want, I will explain later.
A FEW DIFFERENT FONTS
You will see many tattoo shops offering Japanese Kanji tattoos, unfortunately many of these characters have been altered and are written incorrectly. Unless you have a native Japanese person with you on your visit to the tattooist, you will have no idea if it actually means what you think. Too much risk.I have a gallery below featuring some of the most popular Kanji symbols with their meanings. Have a look through and see if any catch your eye.
Kanji symbols come in many types of font. Fonts can be thick, thin, traditional, modern, block and cursive - you will see what I mean in the picture below. If you were to decide on a Kanji tattoo, the best thing you could do is get your Japanese Kanji design from a professional in the exact font. This way you will get exactly what you want, it will look much better than you could imagine. I will show you how to do this below. Tattoo design is an exact science, and since it lasts forever, you need do it the right way and be proud of your tattoo forever.
Now you need to decide on which Kanji characters you like, or which specific word or meaning you want. If you don't find something you like here, don't despair, I can still help you get exactly what you want, I will explain later.
A FEW DIFFERENT FONTS
What about free tattoo designs?
I t is possible to get a free tattoo design. It is great that it is something for free, but for Japanese Kanji Tattoos, you can never be sure that the tattoo is correct. Generally, free tattoo designs are of low quality and make the artist's job harder. Many Japanese Kanji Tattoo designs are tampered by westerners, and are not actually a correct symbol.
Japanese Kanji symbols are very precise symbols. They have to be done with the strokes in correct order and at the correct length.
Free designs usually have to be enlarged, which will reduce the clarity of the design, which makes it very hard for the artist to do a professional job. Your tattoo will look fuzzy.
Basically, you get what you pay for in the tattoo industry. I urge you to get your design done professionally, and get a quality artist to ink you up. Don't try and get it done "cheap", believe me, it will look cheap and you will have to live with it forever. You want to be proud of your tattoo.
Japanese Kanji symbols are very precise symbols. They have to be done with the strokes in correct order and at the correct length.
Free designs usually have to be enlarged, which will reduce the clarity of the design, which makes it very hard for the artist to do a professional job. Your tattoo will look fuzzy.
Basically, you get what you pay for in the tattoo industry. I urge you to get your design done professionally, and get a quality artist to ink you up. Don't try and get it done "cheap", believe me, it will look cheap and you will have to live with it forever. You want to be proud of your tattoo.
Japanese Kanji Tattoos
i got part 2 added to my tattoo...the red-and-black star, representing decentral...
Shot of my new tat (right deltoid). The upper graphic is Ogham for strength, the...
curated content from Flickr
Tattoo Site Reviews
Get the perfect tattoo design from a professional!
I cannot stress enough how important it is to get your tattoo design from a professional service. Nowadays, the best way to get your tattoo design is from an online tattoo database. This allows you to carefully choose your own tattoo from the comfort of your home without having to actually to go to the tattoo parlors and search through magazines with a pushy store owner looking to make a sale.
You will find the best quality at the following 4 services that I have recommended.
I cannot stress enough how important it is to get your tattoo design from a professional service. Nowadays, the best way to get your tattoo design is from an online tattoo database. This allows you to carefully choose your own tattoo from the comfort of your home without having to actually to go to the tattoo parlors and search through magazines with a pushy store owner looking to make a sale.
You will find the best quality at the following 4 services that I have recommended.
The Best Tattoo Sites
1. Chopper Tattoo
• The best tattoo gallery on the Web.
• User friendly navigation system
• Print off quality tattoos
2. Tattoo Me Now
• Over 3,500 Tattoo Designs
• User's photo gallery
• Tattoo parlor directory
3. Tattoo Fever
• 14,735 Tattoos and rising
• Specialists in Kanji Tattoos and Chinese Symbol Tattoos
• Great search function
• The best tattoo gallery on the Web.
• User friendly navigation system
• Print off quality tattoos
2. Tattoo Me Now
• Over 3,500 Tattoo Designs
• User's photo gallery
• Tattoo parlor directory
3. Tattoo Fever
• 14,735 Tattoos and rising
• Specialists in Kanji Tattoos and Chinese Symbol Tattoos
• Great search function
Kanji Translation - Highly Recommended
Design For You is an exclusive Japanese Tattoo website. The best service which is on offer is the customized Kanji translation. Customers will submit your word or phrase in English and you will receive 100% correct Japanese Kanji translation.
Design For You - Pros
1. Choose from 30 different calligraphy fonts.
2. Your design will be unique, beautiful and 100% accurate.
3. 100% guarantee or you get your money back
4. Save time and effort searching for the correct Kanji symbols and get exactly what you want
Design For You - Features
• You will receive your custom images within 48 hours.• You will receive vertically and horizontally created images
• Excellent Customer Service
• If you are not happy with your Japanese Kanji symbols, you can have them re-created for no further charge.
Overall - This really is a unique service with many satisfied customers. If you want the most unique Japanese Kanji tattoo, this is the service for you. If you know exactly what you want, then waste no more time searching through tattoo galleries, get it done here in less than 48 hours.
Books on Japanese Tattooing
Recommended titles from Amazon
These titles provide historical facts on Japanese tattooing, including countless images.
The Japanese Tattoo
Avg. Customer Rating: 
Amazon Price: $19.80 (as of 11/10/2009) 
List Price: $27.50
Used Price: $13.99
Usually ships in 24 hours
Japanese Tattooing Now!: Memory And Transition, Classic Horimono To The New One Point Style
Avg. Customer Rating: 
Amazon Price: $19.77 (as of 11/10/2009)
List Price: $29.95
Used Price: $16.45
Usually ships in 24 hours
Tattoos of the Floating World: Ukiyo-E Motifs in Japanese Tattoo
Avg. Customer Rating: 
Amazon Price: $38.63 (as of 11/10/2009)
List Price: $49.95
Used Price: $31.92
Usually ships in 24 hours
Bushido : Legacies of the Japanese Tattoo
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: $19.77 (as of 11/10/2009)
List Price: $29.95
Used Price: $16.77
Usually ships in 24 hours
Japanese Tattoo
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: (as of 11/10/2009)
List Price: $22.50
Used Price: $26.08
Some Popular Kanji Tattoos
Guestbook
Lensmaster
sam wrote
together they mean the one word in English.
Posted October 31, 2009
Lensmaster
jake wrote
when there is 2 symbols for just one word are they seperate meaning the same thing or do both combined make the word
Posted October 28, 2009
kcs9832 wrote...
Really interesting lens with lots of great info. I have picked up some great ideas and learnt some good information. Also, I found a very informative webiste about How To Make Bigger Penis
Posted October 10, 2009
Lensmaster
Jamie wrote
Nicely done, those links you have going to dsfy, I see on the end of all urls, ( /stetje.cgi?3675 ) Is that your affiliate link or something ? Is this an affiliates page ?
Posted August 11, 2009
Lensmaster
taylor wrote
translation for
live
laugh
love
(vertically)
taylortebbe@mchsi.com
Posted July 03, 2009
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by ozguru
I have lived in Japan, I speak Japanese, I wanted to share my love and knowledge of Kanji tattoos (more)
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