Traditional Japanese: Sleeves & Back Pieces
Koi, dragons, hannya: your motif, drawn in my hand, built the traditional way.
Japanese was the style that made me want to tattoo in the first place. I traveled to Japan to learn it, and was turned away by two masters. One told me to practice for a year and come back. I took that seriously: a year of study and practice, then continued my training under a traditional Japanese artist here in the States. That path taught me respect for how this style actually works: the rules, the flow, the reasons behind the motifs.
I freehand the backgrounds: the wind, water, and clouds that make a Japanese piece move with your body, and draw out the main designs in full. It takes me longer than working from flash, and it should: no two sleeves I do can look alike.
Selected Japanese Tattoos
How I work in this style
Your idea, my hand
Bring me a koi, a dragon, a hannya. You get the motif that matters to you, rendered the way only I draw it.
Freehand backgrounds
Wind, water and clouds drawn for your body, so the whole piece moves the way you do.
It ages perfectly
Bold structure and open space. Of every style I work, this is the one time treats best.
The biggest canvas there is
A full Japanese back piece runs 4–8 full-day sessions. For out-of-state clients that means a planned project across multiple trips: we start with two back-to-back sessions to lay out the outline, and once it's healed, we can work on any section at a time per visit. How traveling for a tattoo works →
Traditional Japanese FAQ
How long does a Japanese sleeve take?
A full Japanese sleeve runs 3–6 of my full-day sessions: eight-hour days where the first stretch is drawing on skin, then tattooing.
Do Japanese tattoos age well?
It's part of why I love the style. Bold structure and open space mean these pieces barely change over the years. It's the style time treats best, and my fine-line years taught me exactly why.
Do you follow traditional Japanese tattoo rules?
I trained for them: a year of study after being turned away in Japan, then under a traditional Japanese artist in the States. I learned the rules, the flow and the reasons behind the motifs, and I work within them.
Can I choose my own motif (koi, dragon, hannya)?
Yes. Bring me what you want and I'll build it in my style of drawing. You get the motif that matters to you, rendered the way only I draw it.
How does a Japanese back piece work for out-of-state clients?
As a planned project across multiple trips: 4–8 full-day sessions, starting with two back-to-back days to lay out the outline. Once that's healed, we work section by section per visit.
More styles by Carlos
Ready to start your japanese piece?
Free consultation, in person or remote. Based at Koi Dragon Tattoos in Murray, Utah, booking clients worldwide. Coming from out of town? How traveling for a tattoo works.