Kanji...Hottest Tattoo Designs

The word Kanji is almost synonymous with Japanese tattoos. However the meaning goes much further back than the comparatively recent popularity of the Kanji designs that are common in the world of tattoo fans.

While it may be hard to learn, Kanji can make the learning of the Japanese language both fun and simpler...not easy, but simpler.

Kanji is a form of writing that is founded on Chinese characters. The term "Kanji" actually means Han characters. This connects it to its roots with date back to the Han Dynasty in 57AD.

Language historians cannot specifically document when the Japanese population began to adapt the Classical Chinese to their own applications, however, its presence in today's world clearly establishes the connection.

Kanji writings can generate more than 60,000 different drawings or "ideographs." Naturally, each drawing has its own meaning, much like each sentence written in any language, communicates a different part of the overall message. You'll want to audition your tattoo artist to make sure he or she can provide you with an accurate translation of your Kanji tattoo. You'll be especially thankful should you have friends who read and understand Japanese.

Just to make things even more complicated for your research into a Kanji design, there are other choices for your consideration. Hiragana and Katakana, collectively referred to as Kana, can have a remarkable impact on the end result of your tattoo design. The choice of these styles can add an entirely different level of elegance to your ultimate tattoo decision. The drawings are smoother with a rounder stroke. It's definitely a personal choice so, no reason to rush. Take your time.

This is one of the most beautiful, artistically significant and soulful selections you can make for such a personal decision. Don't be so anxious that you forget to meditate on your choice for an extra day...or a couple of weeks. The choice is more or less permanent so don't allow yourself to rush or stress over the decision.

You can always choose your design to incorporate all of the styles. Your imagination and creativity are your only limits...other than the expertise of your tattoo artist.

Take your time and get some input from some of your tattoo artist's other customers. She or he should be happy to provide an email address of a satisfied customer who will be happy to help you explore and understand the range of possibilities.

Ciao,
Doc Rich
PS To see a large selection of Kanji and other tattoo designs, Click here to visit my other tattoo blog, HotToTattoo.com

Me Too Tattoos For Couples, A Good Idea?

I'm a romantic at heart and would do nearly anything in the world to please my my spouse of a couple dozen years. We've been together for a very long time and share a mind-set that nearly has us finishing each other's sentences. However, I'm not about to have a rose tattooed on my...

Now I don't usually ask for advice, because it's 100% opposite of what I do in my career. And I pride myself on being an above average communicator. However, this lady melts my heart with just one flash of an eye...making it nearly impossible for me to say no. But a rose tattoo on my forearm? I think not.

I'm an Asian tattoo type of guy and I'm currently considering a very cool Kanji design. Plus I trust the tattoo artist because he speaks fluent Japanese.

I've decided my strategy will be to take my spouse with me to look at the tattoo designs he displays and hopefully the Kanji designs will grab her soul like they've grabbed mine.

Here's my promise. If I lose the negotiation I'll post my picture and reveal my rose tattoo right here in this blog.

I've been working on this relationship for enough years to know what's important. And a rose is a rose and not a pussy cat. And for that I'm thankful.

Ciao,
Doc Rich

The Tattoo World Continues To Ramp Up

I've taken a few months to dive into research about everything related to tattoos and those of us who are part of this world. The numbers are nothing less than amazing.

More than 35% of the US population has at least one tattoo. This is up from 24% in 2006. Just two years and more than a 1000% increase in popularity. What does this mean? Please.....I'm not even thinking about taking another two months off to dig into that subject. Here's what's important....

Enjoy yourself in the pursuit of being yourself. If you have been inked and pierced and laced....we'll chat about that in the future....just enjoy yourself in the pursuit of .... let's call it artistic expression. For some of us it's about rebelling against everything that's conservative and just basically un-cool and boring.

Life is too long to go around wanting to do something that's as completely personal as getting a tattoo or having a piercing or two installed on your own body, but hesitating because of the fear of what people will say or think about it.

People of the world....get a grip. There's lots more important stuff going on in the world for you to focus on....

Ciao,
Doc Rich

PS Click on the banner and take a look at my newest tattoo blog... Hot To Tattoo.com

The Tattoo World Gets Bigger Every Month

According to the popular search engines, especially Lycos, "Tattoos" was the third most popular search term of every other category. It tends to rank 4th to 7th place for the most popular search term every month of the year.

"Tattoo and tattoos" is one of only seven search terms to never fall out of the Top 50 Search terms in the 1000 or so weeks since Lycos has been keeping track. The other six are Dragon Ball, Pamela Anderson, Jennifer Lopez, Britney Spears, Las Vegas and the WWE/WWF.

*In July of 2002 "tattoos" reached its highest ranking ever, coming in as the number two most requested search term on the internet. "Tattoos" was requested more often than Britney Spears, marijuana or Kazaa, illustrating that skin ink is more popular than "sex, drugs and rock n' roll!"

Lycos dropped the term "tattoos" from it's Poll because the term was so popular. According to Lycos, tattoos rarely drops out of the top ten search terms requested on the Internet and Lycos dropped the term because they wanted to make room for other searches.

Ask.com found these stats about tattoo searches:

LA fashion week reminds us once again that trends come and go. But,
while the Devil may wear Prada, Search Engine Ask.com reveals that tattoos
have been stealing the scene as the #1 searched beauty term since 2003. No
longer taboo, the popularity of tattoos prove that skin is always in.

-- Virtually every language is searched for in tattoo designs: from Aztec
sayings to Russian phrases, but Japanese and Chinese characters/symbols
are among the most frequently searched.

-- Location, location, location: Backs rank the highest in searches
(lower, upper and all over). But, not far behind: necks, arms, wrists
and ankles. Unmentionables also rank high.

-- Angelina's number, choice and types of tattoos rank the highest in the
celebrity category. Ask.com searchers are also intrigued by other
celebs. Most notably, Nicole Richie, Alyssa Milano and heavy metal
rockers Metallica.

-- As for who searches for tattoos more: given the top five ranked
designs, which are tribal, cross, stars, butterflies and fairies, we'd
say women.

Choosing Your Body Piercing or Tattoo Studio

How to Choose a Body Piercing or Tattoo Studio

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

Body art such as tattooing and piercing has become increasingly popular over recent years. Read on for advice on choosing a piercer or tattooist.

Steps

1. Look in your telephone directory for a list of local artists. Many tattooists offer both piercing and tattoo work under one roof.
   
2. Ask around for recommendations from your friends, making a shortlist of places which are recommended and avoiding anywhere with a bad reputation.
   
3. Visit several studios,and have a look around. You should look for a clean environment,ensuring needles are changed for each client,seating areas are cleaned frequently and that the artist wears medical gloves. Ask to see their autoclave and spore test.
   
4. Ask to see portfolios. Look for new and healed work. Ask how much experience the artist has had, and about any certifications.
   
5. When you have decided which studio to use,try to have a chat with the staff and if you feel comfortable with letting them work on you-then go ahead!
   

Tips

• If you see someone with a great tattoo or piercing,don't be afraid to ask who did it. People are usually happy to recommend their favourite artist,and word of mouth is generally reliable on the body art scene.
  
• In the UK, there is no recognised certification for body piercing.
  
• Never choose a studio which rushes its clients. Some businesses let customers walk out when they are faint or feeling ill,which is seen as very bad practice.
  
• Most studios require parental permission for piercings on anyone under 18.
  
• Eat at least 2 hours before your tattoo or piercing.
  
• Wash the area to be worked on.
  
• Inform your artist about any diseases you have that are transmissible, and any conditions such as hemophilia.
  

Warnings

• Avoid any studio which uses guns for body piercing, as piercing guns cannot be sterilized. Furthermore, piercings guns can cause blunt force trauma, complicating healing. They are also more painful than needles.
  
• It is illegal for anyone under 18 to get a tattoo (US, UK).
  
• Cheaper is almost never better.
  

Related wikiHows

• How to Clean a Body Piercing
  
• How to Pierce Your Tongue
  
• How to Pierce Your Own Cartilage
  
• How to Convince Your Parents to Let You Have Another Piercing in Your Ear
  
• How to Clean Your Ear Piercing
  
• How to Convince Your Parents to Let You Get a Lip Ring
  

Sources and Citations

• http://www.bmezine.com
  
• Tattoo Artists
  
• http://tattoo.about.com/cs/psafety/a/piercing_guns.htm [this explains why piercings guns are the worst way to get pierced]
  

Article provided by wikiHow, a collaborative writing project to build the world's largest, highest quality how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Choose a Body Piercing or Tattoo Studio. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

Latest Wiki Update Helps Choose Tattoo Designs

How to Choose a Tattoo Design

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

Choosing a tattoo should be a thorough process. They are intended to be forever, and removal is expensive. The more planning that goes into your design of choice, the more likely that you will enjoy your tattoo later in life.

Steps

1. Be happy with what design you have on your body. As long as you like it, that's the most important thing. That being said, there are factors that can make you love or hate your tattoo.
   
2. Find a design that has meaning for you. Even if you cannot draw, a little practice and patience can get you a good outline, at least. Most tattoo artists will help you redraw and redesign a tattoo.
   
3. Find an artist or designer and ask them to make you a custom design for you. Many tattoo artists are also convential artists, or can at least reproduce a traditional drawing, sketch or painting onto your skin.
   
4. Find a style that you especially like, and an artist that works in that style. Most artists will do what you want, but also excel in certain "looks." Check portfolios, and compare old school, new school, naturalistic, asian, B&W, etc.
   
5. Writing, in any form or language, should be thought over twice as long. Check and recheck the meanings of any words or idiograms of a language you aren't fluent in. Choose quotes carefully. Search for a font you like, or create your own.
   
6. Consider carefully what body part you want your tattoo on. Some places you'll look at it every day, some almost never. Consider how likely it will be that you will need to cover it with clothing or otherwise at some point.
   
7. Try to get a printout of the design, and see how the design will fit against your skin.
   
8. Use henna to get a temporary version of the design. You won't be able to see different colors, or certain looks, but you will be able to judge the feeling of a tattoo. Henna lasts a week to a month.
   
9. Think about it alot. When you are certain, wait some more time. Just to make sure.
   

Tips

• Think back to 10 years ago. If you had gotten a tattoo back then, what would it most likely have been? If you don't like the idea of having that on your body, don't get a tattoo now. Chances are, in 10 years, you'll regret getting it.
  
• The number one tattoos that artists are asked to cover up, after homemade tattoos, are NAMES. If the person is not dead, or your child, names are usually not the best idea.
  
• Asian characters are a popular choice, as it is a way to get a meaning in a design. The tattoo studio walls are not the place to trust when looking for a character. Many have double meanings, nuances, things that may give an impression that wasn't intended.
  
• Often members of a family will get matching or complimentary tattoos. Often, younger generations will incorporate elements of older family members tattoos in their own designs.
  
• A band, TV show, or comic book character you love today may not be something you want to carry around forever on your skin.
  
• Don't be afraid to get a tattoo that doesn't have a deep meaning if you love the design. If you love Winnie the Pooh enough to look at him forever, get that pooh bear.
  
• Feet, hands, and faces need more touch-ups, and more attention to heal properly. Expect to pay more for these areas. Some artists refuse to do facial or hand tattoos on a person that doesn't already have visible tattoos.
  
• If you feel hesitant, either about the design or the artist, don't go through with it.
  
• Go temporary before going for the permenent.
  

Warnings

• Some people are against cultural appropriation, where someone takes a meaningful aspect of another's culture and uses it for fashionable reasons. If you are getting a tattoo of a traditional symbol, you should know the meaning and history of that symbol.
  
• Laser tattoo removal is very expensive, painful, and time consuming. In most cases it can completely remove tattoos. Tattoo cover-ups are cheaper, but find an artist that specializes in them. It's best to be certain about your design. Think about it. Dwell on it.
  
• Tattoos can get infected, and should be washed and treated as wounds. Follow your artists aftercare instructions.
  
• Most tattoos will need touch-ups through your life. Using sunscreen and moisturising daily will help your tattoo look new for years. After 10-30 years, expect to need touch-ups to combat blurring.
  
• Be extremely careful when getting Kanji characters as tattoos if you've found the design on the internet or tattoo parlour wall. You may think it means "Peace, love, harmony" but for all you know the characters could be straight off a soy sauce packet, or worse.
  
• Think before getting a tattoo. Will you like the design in the future? What will you do when it fades? Are you sure you want it where you put it? What will people think at a job interview? These are all things to consider before you get a tattoo. A tattoo is a big commitment and you should be prepared for the outcome, may it be good or bad.
  

Related wikiHows

• How to Choose a Body Piercing or Tattoo Studio
  
• How to Care for a New Tattoo
  
• How to Make a Temporary Tattoo with Nail Polish
  
• How to Draw Your Own Temporary Tattoo
  
• How to Remove a Tattoo from a Photo Using Photoshop
  

Article provided by wikiHow, a collaborative writing project to build the world's largest, highest quality how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Choose a Tattoo Design. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

Caring For Yourself & Your Tattoos

It is very important to keep your tattoo looking good, especially over the years. Making sure your tattoo is maintained at its best over the months and years depends upon how you care for it on a regular basis. Take a look at some tips for keeping your tattoo...and yourself healthy.

Remove the bandage after 4 to 12 hours. (Depending upon the size and location of the tattoo). Do not re-bandage.

Wash your tattoo with warm water and an antibacterial soap. Gently pat dry with a clean towel. Apply a thin layer of triple antibiotic ointment. Use the ointment during the first two days, 3 or 4 times a day.

Make sure your hands are clean before touching your tattoo. After the first two days, apply a thin layer of fragrance free moisturizing lotion. Apply it 3 to 4 times daily for the next 2 to 3 weeks. A fragrance free, natural lotion is preferred. The normal healing time is 2 to 4 weeks.

Do NOT pick or scratch your tattoo. Flaking or peeling is a natural part of the healing process. Do not soak your tattoo during healing. That means no baths, hot tubs, pools, etc. Keep your tattoo out of direct sunlight while it is healing. After your tattoo is healed, always use sunblock while in the sun, preferably 30 to 45 SPF.

Remember to moisturize your skin with lotion. This will help keep your colors fresh.

Do not hesitate at calling your doctor if infection or allergic reactions occur.