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I'm not a fan of "busy" sleeve tats. Some I've seen lose the artistic expression and just look like a blended mess of ink. Others are done so nice that one doesn't have to ask what it is or mean.

As far as people being judgmental at church, we have many over 80 and they can be stuck in their ways on what is appropriate. I don't hide them anymore. They are a part of me that have special memories of those who I love who have passed.

I'd rather people know me for me rather than for my tats and pass judgement. Which unfortunately some narrow minded people can do in all walks of life.

One thing I have noticed on these threads whenever the topic of tattoos comes up is just how extraordinarily defensive some people are about their tattoos.

It is entirely your choice - or an individual's choice - to get them, but do bear in mind that tattoos may well give rise to strong (negative) reactions.

Despite probably not being able to get one, I may take the leap if I ever get to Hong Kong. There is one old school tattoo artist there who does traditional Chinese animals and things that have captivated me for the first time in a long time. If I was going to get some Chinese phrase tattooed I would go to the source and KNOW what the heck the characters mean rather than presuming :p. I've heard way too many stories about folks getting Chinese character tattoos that wound up meaning something entirely different and thus are embarrassing.

My workaround for not getting tattoos is making sure my characters have them or design ones I probably wouldn't get.

For me, I love artistic tattoos and tattoos which have meaning. I ultimately judge a person by their character (nice, not nice) nothing else.

Now, that is an interesting post, and I can see where you are coming from.
 
The only thing that annoys me about these tattoo threads are the "one size fits all" posts, for example when people say things along the lines of "you're never going to get a job if you're inked."

This anthropologist rolls his eyes (hey! maybe I should get an eyelid tattoo?) at that kind of comment.

Sociocultural context, folks. Of course there are part of the US (and parts of the world) in which a tattoo is going to cause some problems. And in some workplaces, ink is going to cause a problem. That's beyond dispute.

But at the same time, there are places where it's not of the least importance at all, and I offer my own home island as evidence. Ink is everywhere here. At my medical clinic, some nurses are inked, many of the other staff people are inked, there's ink behind the counter at my bank, in the government offices, and on and on. Here, there's no stigma at all, and that's what I mean by sociocultural context.

That's not to say that there aren't individual people here who dislike tattoos, think them inappropriate for certain jobs, and so on. But it's clear to me that people like that aren't doing much hiring around here, if any.
 
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Oh... I wanna have a Irezumi on my back, covering almost 80%. I like traditional Japanese imagery of animals, particularly dragons and tigers. I did some research a while ago, even I've found myself a tradition Japanese tattooist in Kobe, still using authentic Japanese methods with the bamboo and needles, instead of the modern mechanical machine most westerners would use. I been to his studio and chatted about the price, artwork and consequence of ownership. I was given lots of information even saw examples of his beautiful work. I feel fairly confident to allow him to use my body as a canvas. He has over 30 years experience and everything is hand crafted, has done work for various people including local thugs and wanna be gangstars.. lol
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I just can't get myself to go there and have it done. Mostly because In Japan, tattoo's ain't accepted. By having colour on your skin you're automatically banned from using Public baths, Hot Springs, Gyms and some Parks and in some rare cases, employers can fire you!!

I don't wanna be fired!!! I love my job, all it's perks and great pay... I like using on-sen and going to gym... I also love to have some colour too!!! My life's tough... :mad:

I hear yeah. I go to a guy who specializes in traditional japanese tattooing, and I can tell you this, the back is no joke. I started my piece two months ago, two sittings. Outline was eight hours and the last sitting was just under six. It is painful. My guy does the traditional way with bamboo and needles, but I opted for the machine. The stick hurts like a son of gun. I am sleeved with a dragon and samurai warrior on my right arm, and then a samurai warrior along with a three flag sashimono behind him. The warriors them selves are just the head pieces while the dragon is complete across the chest and down the arm.

The back piece is a full figure samurai with Torii in the background. I made sure that my work can't see them unless I show them as I am not allowed to have them visible while at work either. Which is ok, I had the job prior to the tattoo's. Although we are not quite as strict about tattoo'ing as Japan.
 
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Oh... I wanna have a Irezumi on my back, covering almost 80%. I like traditional Japanese imagery of animals, particularly dragons and tigers. I did some research a while ago, even I've found myself a tradition Japanese tattooist in Kobe, still using authentic Japanese methods with the bamboo and needles, instead of the modern mechanical machine most westerners would use. I been to his studio and chatted about the price, artwork and consequence of ownership. I was given lots of information even saw examples of his beautiful work. I feel fairly confident to allow him to use my body as a canvas. He has over 30 years experience and everything is hand crafted, has done work for various people including local thugs and wanna be gangstars.. lol
2238585389_fc3dcccbce.jpg

1579229266_6dcd6d3ce4.jpg

2701330850_3a0d5a7a07.jpg

3004981381_5de86065f4.jpg


I just can't get myself to go there and have it done. Mostly because In Japan, tattoo's ain't accepted. By having colour on your skin you're automatically banned from using Public baths, Hot Springs, Gyms and some Parks and in some rare cases, employers can fire you!!

I don't wanna be fired!!! I love my job, all it's perks and great pay... I like using on-sen and going to gym... I also love to have some colour too!!! My life's tough... :mad:

It seems like a tough but obvious choice not to get the tattoo at this moment. :) How muchndoes the dragon on the back cost?
 
I have one tattoo and have been considering the possibility of getting another.

I think tattoos like many things are totally subjective. Some people can pull them off and get good quality work done while others can't pull it off or get shoddy work done. I don't judge or think less of the person who has a bad tattoo (or one that doesn't look good on their body), I just think it's unfortunate. Similar circumstances in my opinion are guys wearing earrings or having long hair. Some guys can pull off those looks and it's appealing/attractive where other guys can't and it just ends up looking silly. I think the key is figuring out which category you fall into or at least having honest enough friends and family who will tell you. In the end, it's your body and what you do with it is your choice. If you are happy with the work you have done or the look you choose then that's all that matters.

To answer @Huntn's question about sleeves, I think some people can totally pull of the look.
 
On the subject of sleeves, when I see a beautiful one it hammers home the notion of tattoos as artistic expression, so I would agree with @mscriv there. Ditto with back tattoos. The gentleman I would possibly consider in Hong Kong does beautiful Dragon back tattoos including Japanese designs and has been for over 40 years now.
 
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