irezumi

The design "is based on the Japanese style of tattooing known as Irezumi.

Cherry blossoms are a prevalent symbol in Irezumi, the traditional art of Japanese tattoos.

The koi is also an often recurring symbol in Irezumi, the Japanese art of traditional tattooing.

I saw their tattoos myself, Irezumi."

"Irezumi," Mikio breathed.

Horiyoshi III is a horishi tattoo artist, specializing in Japanese traditional full-body tattoos, or "suits," called Irezumi or Horimono.

Unlike traditional irezumi where the majority of the tattoo decision making is left up to the artist, customers bring in a design of their choice or can decide on what they would like at the shop.

Traditional Japanese tattoos (irezumi) are still "hand-poked," that is, the ink is inserted beneath the skin using non-electrical, hand-made and hand held tools with needles of sharpened bamboo or steel.

After an initial consultation during which the client will discuss with the tattooist the designs he (again, clients are most frequently male; though women do wear traditional irezumi) is interested in, and work begins with the tattooing of the outline.

The most well known historical use of this involves the Yakuza of Japan, an organized crime syndicate whose members perform several notable types of body modification, including full body irezumi tattooing and Yubitsume, the amputation of finger joints in penance to their superiors.