Japanese Tattoos

The Dragon’s Flow: Japanese Temporary Tattoos

Mythology. Flow. Power.
You want a design that tells a story. You want ink that moves with your body, not just sits on it. You want the ancient art of the East without the 40-hour sessions in the chair.
You are looking for japanese temporary tattoos.

This is the art of Irezumi.
You want a fake japanese sleeve with water and wind bars? We have them.
You want oriental style Koi fish swimming upstream? We have those too.
You want the mask of the Hannya to ward off evil? It’s here.

We are Australia’s local experts. We ship from Brisbane.
We don’t drop-ship. We pack it here.
Express takes 1-4 days. Standard takes 3-7 days.
Spend $50? I pay the shipping.

The Reality Check.

Japanese art is about “The Flow.”
It uses background elements (wind, waves, clouds) to connect the main subjects (dragons, tigers).
This requires a large canvas.
Visual Technique:
Don’t put a tiny dragon in the middle of a huge back. It looks lost.
Japanese ink is meant to be big. It covers the limb.
Use our full sleeve or half-sleeve options.
The mythology demands space.

The History: Irezumi & The Yakuza

This isn’t just a trend. This style is centuries old.
It dates back to the Edo period (1603–1867).
Originally, tattoos were used as punishment. Then, they became a mark of status for firemen and laborers.
Eventually, they became associated with the Yakuza (the Japanese mafia).
Why? Because getting a full bodysuit (Horimono) took hundreds of hours of painful hand-poking.
It showed you had patience. It showed you could endure pain.

Modern Irezumi
Today, the stigma is fading (slowly).
The art style is recognized globally as the pinnacle of tattoo composition.
When you wear a fake japanese sleeve, you are wearing 400 years of visual history.
You are wearing designs that were perfected on woodblock prints (Ukiyo-e) long before they were put on skin.

The Aesthetic: Meaning & Symbolism

Unlike western tattoos which can be random, every element in a Japanese temporary tattoo has a specific meaning.
Nothing is accidental.

The Dragon (Ryu)
Wisdom. Strength. Benevolence.
In the West, dragons are evil beasts to be slain.
In the East, they are protectors. They control the water and the rain.
Our dragons are designed to wrap around the arm or leg.
The scales create a natural texture that helps hide the “fake” nature of the tattoo.

The Koi Fish
Perseverance. Ambition.
The legend says the Koi swims up the waterfall to the Dragon Gate. If it succeeds, it turns into a dragon.
Usually paired with waves and water bars.
The contrast between the orange fish scales and the black/grey water background is visually striking.

The Hannya Mask
Jealousy. Passion.
It looks scary, but it represents a woman consumed by rage and sadness.
It is often used as a protective charm to scare away bad spirits.

Visual Psychology: The “Background” Rule

Why do Japanese tattoos look so cohesive?
It’s the background.
In traditional tattooing, the “Gakubori” (background) is just as important as the main image.

Wind & Waves
Wind bars. Clouds. Finger waves.
These elements tie the tattoo together.
They fill the negative space.
Without the background, a tattoo looks like a sticker stuck on an arm.
With the background, it looks like a “suit.” It looks like clothing.
Our Irezumi temporary tattoo sleeves include these heavy black/grey backgrounds to give that full coverage look.

Sticker vs. Semi-Permanent (Japanese Edition)

You have a choice to make. Color or Realism?

Option 1: Standard Ink (The Yakuza Look)
Pros: You get the bright colors.
Japanese traditional relies on color contrast.
The bright orange of the Koi. The red belly of the Dragon. The pink of the Cherry Blossom (Sakura).
Cons: It sits on top.
Best for: Full color sleeves where you want that vibrant woodblock print aesthetic.

Option 2: Semi-Permanent (The Black & Grey Look)
Pros: Sinks into the skin.
It mimics the look of “aged” ink.
Real Japanese tattoos settle into the skin over years. The black turns slightly blue/grey.
Our Genipin ink replicates this “healed” look perfectly.
Cons: No red accents. It is strictly dark blue/black.
Best for: Smoky, dark sleeves with heavy wind bars.

Placement: Muscle Flow

Japanese tattoos are engineered to accentuate muscle.
They are not static pictures. They move.

The Shoulder Cap (Hikae)
This is the chest panel that connects to the arm.
Place the head of the dragon or the tiger here.
It sits on the pectoral muscle. When you move your arm, the beast moves.

The Arm (Kaina)
Let the body of the beast wind down the arm.
This is oriental style logic.
The coil of the snake or dragon should follow the twist of the bicep.
It uses the body’s 3D shape to make the 2D image look alive.
Don’t place a vertical dragon horizontally. It breaks the flow.

Application: The Sleeve Technique

Applying a full Japanese sleeve is harder than a small sticker.
It is a large sheet. It wraps.

The Protocol:

1. Cut it up: Don’t try to apply a full sleeve in one piece if you are a beginner.
   • Cut the chest panel separate from the arm.
   • Apply the arm section first.
   • Match the chest panel up to the seam.
2. Ask a Friend: You need a second pair of hands. You cannot wrap your own tricep easily.
3. Shave: Essential. Japanese sleeves have heavy black backgrounds. If you stick that over arm hair, it looks silver and patchy. Shave the arm completely for the “painted on” look.

Which Ink is Right For You?

Red Dragons?
Need the fire color and the green scales? Go to [Temporary Tattoos].

Shadow Dragons?
Want a dark, smoky sleeve that looks 10 years old? Go to [Semi-Permanent Tattoos].

Your Own Kanji?
Want a specific Japanese symbol or name? Go to [Custom Tattoos].

Safety & Hygiene

Large sleeves cover a massive amount of skin.
You need safe ink.
We use cosmetic grade materials.

Here is the compliance list:
Supplier documentation includes CE, ASTM, MSDS, RoHS, REACH/SVHC, CPSIA/EN71, CPNP/SCNP, ISO9001 and FDA-related compliance information.

Safe for skin. Non-toxic.

FAQ: Japanese Style

Q: Is it offensive to wear a Yakuza style tattoo?
No.
While tattoos are still frowned upon in some traditional Japanese Onsens (hot springs), the art style itself is celebrated globally.
You are appreciating the art history, not claiming gang membership.

Q: Do the sleeves wrap all the way around?
Most of our full sleeves are designed to cover the outer arm (270 degrees).
The inner bicep is hard to wrap with a single sheet because the arm is conical.
We recommend leaving the inner arm bare (which is traditional in some Japanese styles to protect the sensitive skin) or buying two sheets to splice them together for 100% coverage.

Q: How long does a full sleeve last?
Standard: 5-7 days.
The elbow is the weak point.
The constant bending of the elbow joint will crack the ink there first.
Semi-Perm: 1-2 weeks.
It handles the elbow movement much better because it stains the skin rather than sitting on top of it.

Look below. Find your mythology.
Koi fish swimming upstream. Dragons breathing fire. Waves crashing.
Get the japanese temporary tattoos that fit your flow.