# Japanese (Irezumi) tattoos in Seattle

> Japanese tattooing, or irezumi, is a large-scale style rooted in Edo-period Japan, built on bold outlines, flowing wind-bar, wave and cloud backgrounds and symbolic subjects such as koi, dragons, tigers, peonies and folk heroes. It's composed to flow with the body as sleeves, back pieces and bodysuits, and it ages exceptionally well.

- Also called: irezumi, Japanese traditional, wabori, horimono, tebori, Japanese sleeve
- Typical Seattle cost (palm-sized): $350–$850 (For a single palm-sized image (2–3.5 hours). Sleeves and back pieces run into the thousands over many sessions.)
- How well it ages (1–5): 5
- Best placements: Full or half sleeve, Back piece, Chest panel, Thigh, Calf
- Page: https://seattle-tattoo.org/styles/japanese

Decorative Japanese tattooing took shape in the Edo period. A major spark was the 1757 Japanese edition of the Chinese novel Suikoden, whose woodblock-print illustrations showed heroes covered in elaborate tattoos. Tattooing was outlawed early in the Meiji period and legalized by the occupation forces in 1948. It kept a criminal stigma, and many Japanese baths and gyms still ban tattoos. In 2020, Japan's Supreme Court ruled that tattooing doesn't require a medical license. Masters such as Horiyoshi III and the hand-tattooing technique tebori are still revered.

A Japanese piece is planned as a whole: a main subject such as a koi, dragon, tiger, phoenix or folk hero, paired with seasonal flowers and set against a background of wind bars, waves or clouds that ties the design to the body's shape. Strong black, bold outlines and traditional color are central. It suits people ready to commit to a large project over many sessions. Seattle's ties to Japan run deep, through its historic Japantown (Nihonmachi) and its sister-city relationship with Kobe, but the more important choice is an artist trained in the style's imagery and composition rules.

Japanese work gets an aging score of 5 out of 5. Heavy black backgrounds, bold outlines and large scale mean the design stays readable for decades, even as lines soften. Palm-sized single images are possible, but the style shows best when given room.

## Defining traits

- Large-scale compositions that follow the body
- Bold outlines and heavy black
- Wind-bar, wave and cloud backgrounds
- Symbolic subjects: koi, dragons, tigers, peonies, folk heroes
- Traditional color or black and grey

## Studios listing japanese (irezumi) work

- [Liberty Tattoo Seattle](https://seattle-tattoo.org/studios/liberty-tattoo-seattle) — 2702 3rd Ave, Seattle, WA 98121 · (206) 656-3990 · https://www.libertytattooseattle.com
- [Slave to the Needle Tattoo](https://seattle-tattoo.org/studios/slave-to-the-needle-tattoo) — 508 NW 65th St, Seattle, WA 98117 · (206) 789-2618 · https://www.slavetotheneedle.com
- [True Love Tattoo & Art Gallery](https://seattle-tattoo.org/studios/true-love-tattoo-art-gallery) — 421 E Pine St, Seattle, WA 98122 · (206) 227-3572 · https://www.trueloveart.com
- [Slave To The Needle](https://seattle-tattoo.org/studios/slave-to-the-needle) — 403 NE 45th St, Seattle, WA 98105 · (206) 545-3685 · https://slavetotheneedle.com
- [Tiger Tattoo](https://seattle-tattoo.org/studios/tiger-tattoo) — 1824 E Sprague Ave, Spokane, WA 99202 · (509) 325-8265 · https://tigertattoospokane.com
- [Foundation Body Arts](https://seattle-tattoo.org/studios/foundation-body-arts) — 12926 Mukilteo Speedway Suite F6, Lynnwood, WA 98087 · (425) 512-9559 · https://foundationbodyarts.com
- [Living Skin Tattoo](https://seattle-tattoo.org/studios/living-skin-tattoo) — 9118 E Sprague Ave, Spokane Valley, WA 99206 · (509) 921-9000 · https://livingskintattoo.com
- [Ninth Tentacle Tattoo](https://seattle-tattoo.org/studios/ninth-tentacle-tattoo) — 508a S 11th St, Tacoma, WA 98402 · (253) 414-8239 · https://ninthtentacletattoo.com
- [Iron and Gold Tattoo](https://seattle-tattoo.org/studios/iron-and-gold-tattoo) — 705 N Monroe St, Spokane, WA 99201 · (509) 326-6008 · https://www.ironandgoldtattoo.com/contact
- [Main Ave Tattoo](https://seattle-tattoo.org/studios/main-ave-tattoo) — 22 W Main Ave, Spokane, WA 99201 · (509) 443-5088 · https://www.mainavetattoo.com
- [Bulldog Tattoo](https://seattle-tattoo.org/studios/bulldog-tattoo) — 3530 Martin Way E, Lacey, WA 98506 · (360) 350-0237 · https://bulldogtattooparlor.com
- [No Surrender Tattoo](https://seattle-tattoo.org/studios/no-surrender-tattoo) — 12924 W Sunset Hwy, Airway Heights, WA 99001 · (509) 315-5953 · https://nosurrendertattoo.wordpress.com
- [Rabid Hands Tattoo](https://seattle-tattoo.org/studios/rabid-hands-tattoo) — 4775 Ballard Ave NW, Seattle, WA 98107 · (206) 618-1447 · https://rabidhands.com
- [Five Star Tattoo Co](https://seattle-tattoo.org/studios/five-star-tattoo-co) — 715 W Main St Unit 114, Battle Ground, WA 98604 · (360) 687-8081 · https://fivestartattoo.com
- [Rolling Gypsy Tattoo](https://seattle-tattoo.org/studios/rolling-gypsy-tattoo) — 13923 Pacific Ave S, Tacoma, WA 98444 · (253) 212-2098 · https://www.rollingypsytattoo.com
- [Highmark Tattoo](https://seattle-tattoo.org/studios/highmark-tattoo) — 2109 196th St SW, Lynnwood, WA 98036 · (425) 412-3864 · https://highmark.tattoo
- [Tattoo Asylum](https://seattle-tattoo.org/studios/tattoo-asylum) — 5225 S Tacoma Way, Tacoma, WA 98409 · (253) 503-1058 · https://www.tattooasylum253.com
- [Spirit Flame Tattoo](https://seattle-tattoo.org/studios/spirit-flame-tattoo) — 1002 NE Minnehaha St, Vancouver, WA 98665 · (360) 690-0091 · https://www.spiritflametattoo.com
- [Stay Marked Tattoo](https://seattle-tattoo.org/studios/stay-marked-tattoo) — 160 NW Gilman Blvd Suite 418, Issaquah, WA 98027 · (206) 999-7017 · https://www.staymarkedtattoo.com
- [Paradox Tattoo Gallery](https://seattle-tattoo.org/studios/paradox-tattoo-gallery) — 19106 Wa-410, Bonney Lake, WA 98391 · (253) 750-4485 · https://www.paradoxtattoogallery.com
- [Towns End Tattoo](https://seattle-tattoo.org/studios/towns-end-tattoo) — 921 Washington St, Port Townsend, WA 98368 · (360) 344-2450 · https://www.towns-endtattoo.com
- [Lotus Tattoo](https://seattle-tattoo.org/studios/lotus-tattoo) — 1107 College St SE B, Lacey, WA 98503 · (360) 688-7361 · https://www.lotus-tat2.com
- [Lucky Dragon Tattoo Parlor](https://seattle-tattoo.org/studios/lucky-dragon-tattoo-parlor) — 5610 Rainier Ave S, Seattle, WA 98118 · (206) 588-0294 · https://luckydragontattooparlor.com
- [Stray Cat Tattoo](https://seattle-tattoo.org/studios/stray-cat-tattoo) — 723 Avenue D, Snohomish, WA 98290 · (360) 217-7385 · https://straycattattoos.com
- [Top hat Tattoo and Top Hat Barber Shop](https://seattle-tattoo.org/studios/top-hat-tattoo-and-top-hat-barber-shop) — 10828 Myers Way S, Seattle, WA 98168 · (206) 457-8059 · https://www.tophattattooseattle.com
- [Strictly Irezumi](https://seattle-tattoo.org/studios/raijin-tattoo) — 8544 Greenwood Ave N, Seattle, WA 98103 · (206) 782-0801 · https://strictlyirezumi.com
- [Ying's Tattoo](https://seattle-tattoo.org/studios/yings-tattoo) — 3003 NE 120th St, Seattle, WA 98125 · (206) 466-6437 · https://www.yingstattoo.com
- [Steam & Ink Tattoo](https://seattle-tattoo.org/studios/steam-ink-tattoo) — 175 Hansen Ln, Woodland, WA 98674 · (360) 919-0114 · https://steamandinktattoo.com
- [Voodoo Tattoo and Piercing](https://seattle-tattoo.org/studios/voodoo-tattoo-and-piercing) — 5508 NE Fourth Plain Blvd Suite D, Vancouver, WA 98661 · (360) 253-6464 · https://voodootattoo360.carrd.co
- [Monroe Street Tattoo](https://seattle-tattoo.org/studios/monroe-street-tattoo) — 2925 N Monroe St, Spokane, WA 99205 · (805) 670-0342 · https://monroestreettattoo.com
- [Inkstaind Tattoo](https://seattle-tattoo.org/studios/inkstaind-tattoo) — 1210 East Main, Puyallup, WA 98372 · (253) 881-1832 · http://www.inkstaindtattoo.com
- [Kristina Louise Tattoos](https://seattle-tattoo.org/studios/kristina-louise-tattoos) — 103 Palouse St, Wenatchee, WA 98801 · https://www.kristinalouisetattoos.com
- [Dragon Koi Tattoo](https://seattle-tattoo.org/studios/dragon-koi-tatoo) — 3702 Rucker Ave, Everett, WA 98201 · (425) 626-6641 · https://dragonkoitattoo.com
- [Local Boy Tatau](https://seattle-tattoo.org/studios/local-boy-tatau) — 601 Main St Suite 100, Vancouver, WA 98660 · https://www.localboytatau.com
- [The Nova Expansion](https://seattle-tattoo.org/studios/the-nova-expansion) — 511 2nd Ave W, Seattle, WA 98119 · (206) 487-6024 · https://thenovaexpansion.com
- [Under The Needle Tattoo](https://seattle-tattoo.org/studios/under-the-needle-tattoo) — 111 Lake St S Unit 111, Kirkland, WA 98033 · (206) 448-6613 · https://undertheneedle.net
- [Ink DaVinci Tattoo Shop](https://seattle-tattoo.org/studios/ink-davinci-tattoo-shop) — 1512 4th Ave, Seattle, WA 98101 · (206) 556-7666 · https://inkdavincitattoos.com
- [Moon Tower Tattoo Shop](https://seattle-tattoo.org/studios/moon-tower-tattoo-shop) — 103 E Holly St Unit 508, Bellingham, WA 98225 · (360) 305-6563 · https://www.moontowertattoo.com

## Artists listing japanese (irezumi) work

- [Aidan Wright](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/aidan-wright) — Tattoo artist · Main Ave Tattoo (Spokane, WA) · Fine Line, American Traditional, Japanese (Irezumi), Black and Grey, Color · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aidanwrighttattoos
- [Andrew Enos](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/andrew-enos) — Tattoo artist · Gray State Tattoo (Marysville, WA) · Japanese (Irezumi), Black and Grey, Realism, Illustrative, Color · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/enos.tattoo
- [Andrew Parker](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/andrew-parker) — Tattoo artist · Mammoth Tattoo Studio (Kirkland, WA) · American Traditional, Japanese (Irezumi), Black and Grey · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andrewmammoth
- [Angel](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/angel-autotroph-ink-tattoo) — Tattoo artist · Autotroph Ink Tattoo (Tacoma, WA) · Japanese (Irezumi), Black and Grey · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/angelicinkk
- [Brandon](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/brandon-voodoo-tattoo-and-piercing) — Tattoo artist · Voodoo Tattoo and Piercing (Vancouver, WA) · Japanese (Irezumi), Black and Grey · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/offbrandtattoos
- [Charlie White](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/charlie-white) — Owner and tattoo artist · Stray Cat Tattoo (Snohomish, WA) · American Traditional, Neo-Traditional, Japanese (Irezumi), Realism, Color, Cover-Up · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tattoosbycharliewhite
- [Chris Winn](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/chris-winn) — Tattoo artist · Main Ave Tattoo (Spokane, WA) · Fine Line, American Traditional, Japanese (Irezumi), Black and Grey, Realism, Script and Lettering · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chriswinntattoos
- [Circe](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/circe-electric-cobra) — Tattoo artist · Electric Cobra (Columbia City, Seattle) · American Traditional, Japanese (Irezumi), Blackwork, Cover-Up · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/circe
- [Codie Christel](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/codie-christel) — Apprentice tattoo artist · The Nova Expansion (Queen Anne, Seattle) · American Traditional, Neo-Traditional, Japanese (Irezumi), Black and Grey, Dotwork, Color · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/codietattoo
- [Daniel](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/daniel-foundation-body-arts) — Tattoo artist · Foundation Body Arts (Lynnwood, WA) · American Traditional, Japanese (Irezumi), Black and Grey, Realism · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bloodminer
- [Doc Blackwolf](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/doc-blackwolf) — Tattoo artist · Rabid Hands Tattoo (Ballard, Seattle) · American Traditional, Neo-Traditional, Japanese (Irezumi), Color, Cover-Up · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artoftheblackwolf
- [Eric Marts](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/eric-marts) — Tattoo artist · Supergenius Tattoo (Capitol Hill, Seattle) · Japanese (Irezumi), Black and Grey · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emarts42
- [Ezzy Juarez](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/ezzy-juarez) — Tattoo artist · The Nova Expansion (Queen Anne, Seattle) · Fine Line, Neo-Traditional, Japanese (Irezumi), Black and Grey, Realism, Illustrative, Color · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ezzy.arttt
- [Farid Pashayev](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/farid-pashayev) — Tattoo artist · Cleopatra Ink (Tacoma, WA) · Japanese (Irezumi), Blackwork, Realism, Dotwork · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/faridtattooer
- [Jordan](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/jordan-steadfast-art-collective) — Tattoo artist · Steadfast Art Collective (Kirkland, WA) · Fine Line, American Traditional, Neo-Traditional, Japanese (Irezumi), Black and Grey, Illustrative, Color · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/decadenttattoos
- [Kamil Qurbanov](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/kamil-qurbanov) — Tattoo artist · Cleopatra Ink (Tacoma, WA) · Japanese (Irezumi), Realism, Color, Cover-Up · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kamil_inki
- [Kristina Louise](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/kristina-louise) — Tattoo artist · Kristina Louise Tattoos (Wenatchee, WA) · Fine Line, American Traditional, Japanese (Irezumi), Black and Grey, Realism, Illustrative, Cover-Up · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristina_louise_tattoos
- [Marcus Solomon](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/marcus-solomon) — Tattoo artist · Cygni Tattoo (Tacoma, WA) · American Traditional, Japanese (Irezumi), Black and Grey, Script and Lettering · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marcusxtattoo
- [Marisa Lopez](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/marisa-lopez) — Tattoo artist · Living Skin Tattoo (Spokane Valley, WA) · Neo-Traditional, Japanese (Irezumi) · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marisalopeztattoo
- [Matt Gutierrez](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/matt-gutierrez) — Tattoo artist · Lotus Tattoo (Lacey, WA) · American Traditional, Japanese (Irezumi) · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kittycatmatt
- [Maya](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/maya-foundation-body-arts) — Tattoo artist · Foundation Body Arts (Lynnwood, WA) · American Traditional, Japanese (Irezumi), Black and Grey, Realism · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mayanorbergtattoos
- [Mikel Kay](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/mikel-old-school-tattoo-piercing) — Tattoo artist · Old School Tattoo & Piercing (Bellingham, WA) · American Traditional, Neo-Traditional, Japanese (Irezumi) · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mfkdoom
- [Ryan Bogart](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/ryan-bogart) — Tattoo artist · Lucky Dragon Tattoo Parlor (Columbia City, Seattle) · American Traditional, Japanese (Irezumi), Color · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryanbogarttattoo
- [Spidey](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/spidey-tattoo-asylum) — Owner and tattoo artist · Tattoo Asylum (Tacoma, WA) · Japanese (Irezumi), Blackwork, Black and Grey, Chicano, Anime · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_spidey92
- [Stacie Jascott](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/stacie-jascott) — Owner and tattoo artist · Olympia Tattoo Co. (Olympia, WA) · American Traditional, Japanese (Irezumi) · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/staciejascott
- [Teri Hayner](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/teri-hayner) — Tattoo artist · Madame Lazonga's (Downtown, Seattle) · Fine Line, Neo-Traditional, Japanese (Irezumi), Blackwork, Ornamental, Color, Cover-Up · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tattoosbyteri
- [Andrew Moore](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/andrew-moore) — Tattoo artist · Moon Tower Tattoo Shop (Bellingham, WA) · American Traditional, Japanese (Irezumi), Black and Grey
- [Bryan Kachel](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/bryan-kachel) — Tattoo artist · Moonlight Tattoo (Roosevelt & Maple Leaf, Seattle) · Japanese (Irezumi) · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bryankachel
- [Elijah Cole](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/elijah-cole) — Tattoo artist · Slave To The Needle (Wallingford, Seattle) · American Traditional, Japanese (Irezumi)
- [Emily](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/emily-ink-davinci-tattoo-shop) — Tattoo artist · Ink DaVinci Tattoo Shop (Downtown, Seattle) · Fine Line, Neo-Traditional, Japanese (Irezumi), Micro-Realism, Watercolor, Minimalist
- [Geddy Anderson](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/geddy-anderson) — Owner and tattoo artist · Living Skin Tattoo (Spokane Valley, WA) · Neo-Traditional, Japanese (Irezumi), Black and Grey
- [Jaco Abarca](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/jaco-abarca) — Tattoo artist · Slave To The Needle (Wallingford, Seattle) · Neo-Traditional, Japanese (Irezumi)
- [Jake Robbins](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/jake-robbins) — Owner and tattoo artist · Lucky Dragon Tattoo Parlor (Columbia City, Seattle) · American Traditional, Japanese (Irezumi)
- [Josh Wright](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/josh-wright) — Tattoo artist · White Lotus Tattoo (Lake City, Seattle) · American Traditional, Japanese (Irezumi)
- [Justin Pino](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/justin-pino) — Tattoo artist · Slave to the Needle Tattoo (Ballard, Seattle) · American Traditional, Neo-Traditional, Japanese (Irezumi)
- [Le](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/le-lux-studios-va) — Tattoo artist · Lux Studios VA (Vancouver, WA) · Japanese (Irezumi) · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/horisoda
- [Levi Polzin](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/levi-polzin) — Tattoo artist · Slave to the Needle Tattoo (Ballard, Seattle) · American Traditional, Japanese (Irezumi)
- [Mike Tidwell](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/mike-tidwell) — Tattoo artist · Hidden Hand Tattoo (Fremont, Seattle) · American Traditional, Japanese (Irezumi), Realism
- [PJ](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/pj-dark-star-tattoo) — Tattoo artist · Dark Star Tattoo (Vancouver, WA) · American Traditional, Japanese (Irezumi)
- [Raika](https://seattle-tattoo.org/artists/raika-raijin-tattoo) — Tattoo artist · Strictly Irezumi (Greenwood, Seattle) · Japanese (Irezumi) · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/raika__tattoo

## FAQ

**How long does a Japanese sleeve take to tattoo?**
It depends on the artist, the coverage and how well you heal, but a full Japanese sleeve is a multi-session project spread over months, and total tattooing time usually runs to dozens of hours. Background work and color packing take as much time as the main image. Ask your artist for a session plan and a rough total before you start.

**Is it disrespectful to get a Japanese tattoo if you're not Japanese?**
Japanese-style tattooing is practiced worldwide, and many respected Japanese masters tattoo foreign clients. What matters is respect for the tradition: work with an artist trained in its imagery, learn what your design's elements mean, and avoid combining symbols carelessly. Kanji script added as decoration is the most common source of mistakes.

## Sources

- [Irezumi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irezumi)
- [Horiyoshi III](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horiyoshi_III)
- [Tats not all, folks: Behind the Supreme Court's tattoo ruling](https://www.japantimes.co.jp/opinion/2020/10/02/commentary/japan-commentary/court-win-tattoo-artists-medical-procedure/)