best Japanese Tattoo Artist in Denver, Colorado

Est. 2000

BEST custom JAPANESE TATTOO DESIGNS, serving the DENVER area

@dutchraven

Full Body Japanese Tattoo work

The tradition of full body tattooing in Japan has a long history dating back to the early 1800s. The recognizable motifs we see today have their origins in the Edo period between 1603 and 1867, when tattoos faced mixed public opinions. Eventually, both tattooing and publicly displaying tattoos became banned in Japan until the repeal of this ban in 1948. However, tattoos still carry something of a social stigma.

Japanese tattoos differ from other traditional styles. They are meant to be hidden in public, revealed only when the wearer chooses. Full body designs cover most of the skin with cohesive imagery, usually from folklore or classical narratives, to create a sense of unity and balance. Dragons, tigers, phoenixes, flowers, and other symbols are common. This type of full body work is called horimono. It relies on dark backgrounds contrasted with bold colors in the foreground. The most skilled artists have studied for years and understand the cultural background of these tattoos.

Veteran tattooist Dave Regan specializes in Japanese-inspired tattoos in the Denver area. View his portfolio around the website showcasing this style. Information is also provided in the horimono section of the website to help clients better understand his perspective on the process. Consultations can be scheduled for those interested in receiving Japanese-style tattoos in the Denver area, as well as Americana.