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Custom Japanese Calligraphy |
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Custom Art
Custom
Calligraphy Tattoo Designs Commercial Art
Graphic Design Reference
Names in Japanese
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Tattoo designs are personal and so it is not always possible to find a design in a catalog that says exactly what you want to say or that expresses you as you would like. If this is true for you, then your might consider ordering a Custom Japanese Kanji Tattoo and then working directly with Master Takase. With over fifteen years of experience and thousands of satisfied clients, Master Takase is the perfect partner to work with to create a design that is uniquely for you. The custom tattoo design starts when you order a custom Japanese tattoo and you describe what you would like the tattoo to express. And if you have questions before ordering you are always welcome to contact us at Eri@Takase.com. Master Takase would then translate and create several possibilities for the tattoo. These hand-lettered samples are then scanned in and emailed to you along with a detailed explanation and links to on-line Japanese dictionaries or resources when appropriate. You then have time to decide which sample you like and which direction you would like to proceed with. In this fashion you would be working together with Master Takase to create a design that is exactly to your taste. The designing is fun and normally takes two or three sets of samples to arrive at the perfect design. When all is finished the final design, along with the line art, is emailed to you. You then would simply print this out and take it to your tattoo artist to have the design inked. And all this can be done in as little as a few days. For an specific example of the process see Custom Design Process where we show the designs and actual communications used to achieve the final design. This is the process we would use with you to create your perfect designs.
Stock calligraphy will not always reflect you and what you want to say. Body Art is about expressing yourself and can be as unique as you are. The creation of the design should be a collaboration between you and the calligrapher, an interactive process, resulting in a unique work of individual expression. Body Art is a Personal Expression Japanese Calligraphy designs require absolutely correct translations. One needs to be sure that the design has the intended meaning and has a visual presentation that fits you and your style. Takase Studios has both a native English speaking translator and a Native Japanese translator. We take great care in making sure that the designs we create are absolutely correct and are happy to provide you with as much supporting material as you need. By doing this we are able to create a design that expresses what you want to say with the visual impact that you want.
Body Art is Personal Calligraphy based Body Art Designs require mastery of the art as well as accuracy and attention to detail. You need to be able to interact with the artist at every level to ensure the accuracy and appropriateness of the design. We take great pride in providing you with the information and visual feedback to ensure that you are getting the design that is just right for you.
At Takase Studios we work with you on each step of the design
and give you personal attention.
Testimonials
Ready-Made Japanese Kanji Tattoos
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If you are thinking about a Tattoo in Japanese then no doubt you have many concerns. a great place to start is with a reputable catalog that has a wide variety of styles and options. By knowing what is possible, you can get a much better feel for what appeals to you personally and perhaps even find a design that says exactly what you want to say with a look that fits your style.
At StockKanji - Japanese Kanji Tattoos we have over 5000 Japanese Tattoo Designs and more are being added everyday. Each Japanese Kanji Tattoo was personally hand-lettered by Master Japanese Calligrapher Eri Takase and was professionally scanned and documented.
Each design when purchased can be immediately downloaded - There is no waiting. You get everything you need right when you order. And this includes the line art that your tattoo artist needs to properly ink the Japanese Kanji Tattoo. Just print the design and take it to your tattoo artist - they don't even have to know Japanese! It is now just this easy to get the perfect Japanese kanji tattoo.
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Haiku Tattoos |
New! We are really excited about our new collection of Japanese Haiku Tattoos. Haiku are short Japanese poems that capture a point in life. From the simple but telling moments in life, to the self-sacrifice of motherhood, to being forced away from the one you love, to the loss of a child ... poignant moments in life that may help to put into words exactly what you would like to capture in your own tattoo.
Traditional Japanese Haiku are short 21 syllable poems in a 5-7-5 pattern. Often only seven to ten words at most. But for the Haiku poet this is enough to capture life's moments. These short poems, at the hand of a master poet, can truly touch us across the ages.
The poem "A world of grief and pain. Flowers bloom, Even then ..." by Kobayashi Issa was written upon the death his child and it speaks to all of us that have experienced tragedy. This is just one example of the powerful imagery and emotional content that is possible with Japanese Haiku.
To learn more and and for detailed descriptions of all our Japanese Haiku Tattoo designs see Japanese Haiku Tattoos. And if you have a favorite Haiku we would love to hear from you. We do show what we are currently working on but if you have a suggestion please let use know at Japanese Haiku Suggestion.
StockKanji.com is a catalog of Japanese character tattoos offering hundreds of options for names, words and phrases. Each coming in several different fonts and styles - this way you can get the meaning you want with a look that fits your style. As an example, below we show three of the seventeen designs for the maxim True Victory is Victory Over Oneself.
The Block (kaisho) Script is what one most commonly sees for Japanese Kanji Tattoos. Though other fonts are popular once people see the range of what is possible with Japanese. Dave Beckham's Tattoo on his ribs uses a cursive font and while difficult for people to read, this is an elegant and flowing script. Japanese has many different fonts and, at the hand of a master, the possibilities are infinite.
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In the Martial Arts, as in Japanese Calligraphy, the concept of
True Victory is Victory
Over Oneself is crucial. As an example, a common exercise given to
calligraphers is to do a large work of 100 characters or more. These
artworks are sometimes 7 1/2" tall and require both concentration and skill.
The instructor closely watches over every movement and if a single mistake
is made then the student must start from the beginning. The paper is expensive. The ink
is made by hand which is time-consuming and
exhausting ... these pressures can add up and, maybe the student begins to
think about how bad it would be to fail ... and with just that seed of
self-doubt, the student could lose focus for just an instant, the rhythm of the hand would be affected and the work
would be ruined. Truly before one
can master anything else, one must master oneself. |
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True Victory is Victory Over Oneself Thank you Irma for your kind permission to use this stunning photograph Ordering is Safe and Easy |
True Victory is Victory Over Oneself |
True Victory is Victory Over Oneself |
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True Victory is Victory Over Oneself |
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Once you find just the right Japanese symbol tattoo you can then purchase order and immediately download the design. There is no waiting - you get your design right away. And you get everything you need to take to your tattoo artist to have the design properly inked. The Japanese character tattoo will print out exactly as designed by Master Takase and you can easily change the size of the tattoo to fit your needs. You can get the perfect design right now!
And remember that all of the Japanese kanji tattoo designs at StockKanji - Japanese Kanji Tattoos are hand-lettered by Master Japanese Calligrapher Eri Takase. Don't confuse them with other sites that use computer fonts or designs of anonymous or unknown origins. Here you know that you are getting the care of a professional and the artistry of a master calligrapher.
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Looking for a Tattoo Artist? Try Client Recommended Tattoo Artists. When someone has taken the time to write us about their positive experiences with a tattoo artist inking one of Master Takase's designs, we feel it is important to pass this information along. The only way a tattoo artist can get on the list is to be personally recommended by a client of Master Takase's. Perhaps these recommendations will help you in your search. |
And you get the widest selection of original Japanese Symbol Tattoos available anywhere. The catalog is divided into over fifteen categories including Family Japanese Kanji Tattoos, Inspirational Japanese Kanji Tattoos, Martial Arts Japanese Kanji Tattoos, Motivational Japanese Kanji Tattoos, Names in Japanese Tattoos, Nature Japanese Kanji Tattoos, Religious Japanese Kanji Tattoos, Romantic Japanese Kanji Tattoos, and Zodiac Japanese Kanji Tattoos. And below we show just a few examples of the designs available.
Top Ten Most Requested Japanese Tattoo Designs:
1
Eternal Love 2
Inner Strength 4
Love 5
Hope
6
Live in the Moment
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True Victory is Victory Over Oneself
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Each Moment Only Once 9
Honor 10
Beloved Son
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I LOVE IT! "Just wanted to let you know that I finally went to go get the tattoo this past week and I LOVE IT! (I already knew I loved the design, but I *really* love it now that it's on!) I've gotten many compliments in the few days that I've had it (including for the tattoo artist), and I've been telling everyone who asks what beautiful work you do, and what a pleasure it was to do business with you." Jessica |
And at StockKanji - Japanese Kanji Tattoos you can order with confidence because each design is carefully researched and documented. And you are provided with independent dictionary references so you can verify the design for yourself. For example, the designs for Ninja includes an independent dictionary link and a link to a Wikipedia article on Ninja - this way you can be absolutely certain that the translation is correct and you can check for yourself with the click of the mouse.
For more information on our catalog of Japanese kanji tattoo designs see Japanese Kanji Tattoo Ideas below.
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Each word in the catalog is shown in several styles
The meaning is the same but each has a different look and
feel. |
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Crisis kiki  Crisis in Japanese is kiki which combines the kanji for danger and opportunity. |
 Block |
 Cursive |
 Semi-Cursive |
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Mix and Match for a One of a Kind Design Step
1. Select the font for
Love Is the name not in the Catalog? No problem, use Request A Name In Japanese which has options in both katakana and hiragana and in a few days you will be emailed the design. Or, if you are looking for a completely custom design, use Custom Japanese Tattoo Design where you work directly with Master Takase to create a unique design that is just right for you. Remember you can resize a design to fit your needs. |
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Love connects two souls This pattern uses the kanji for Love with the lovers names written to each side. Love as a bond that connects two souls. Combine Love with your Names in Japanese for a completely unique design.
Thank you Steve and Carrie for permission to use this wonderful image. The on-line catalog contains several hundred Names in Japanese. And if your name is not in the catalog you may order a name at Request A Name In Japanese. |
Our
Japanese
Kanji Tattoo Designs are hand drawn by Master
Japanese Calligrapher Eri Takase. Each body art design shows the tattoo
image and stencil (line art) that your tattoo artist must
have in order to properly ink the design. These body art designs can
even be resized. What is more the body art
designs are immediately made available when your order is
placed. There is no need to wait - Download your designs today!
Body Art Designs You Can Trust - Master Japanese Calligrapher Eri Takase has been creating custom body art designs for over ten years with thousands upon thousands of satisfied customers. You have probably even seen Master Takase's work in movies, on TV, or in print or even on a favorite product. Now you can have beautiful Japanese Calligraphy in your own personal expression of body art.
Looking for a Tattoo Design of a Name? Well you have two options. One is to browse our extensive list of names at Name in Japanese List which features over 2400 of the most popular given names. The other option is to start shopping at our online catalog at Name in Japanese On-Line Catalog.
Can't Find Your Name in the Catalog? No problem, use Request A Name In Japanese which has options in both katakana and hiragana and in a few days you will be emailed the design. This includes both the design that the line art (sometimes called a stencil). This is a hand drawn set by Master Japanese Calligrapher Eri Takase of three different versions of the name in a font and size matching the other tattoo designs in our catalog. Within a few days your finished body art design along with the line art will be emailed directly to you - Nothing could be easier.
Looking for a Kanji Design? We also maintain a larger list of words used throughout this website and in tattoo designs. If you are looking for a particular word browse our list of kanji designs at Japanese Kanji Word List or start shopping at our online catalog at Japanese Kanji Tattoo Designs
Mix and Match With the names and stock art designs you can create unique and individual designs. Take the downloaded designs you have purchased to your tattoo artist and collaborate to create a truly unique work of art with beautiful Japanese Calligraphy.
How About a Completely Custom Design? Can't find exactly what you want in the Catalog? How about working directly with Master Calligrapher Eri Takase to create a Custom Tattoo Designs. Master Takase has collaborated with thousands upon thousands of satisfied clients over the last ten years creating unique and personalized designs. Designs can usually be completed in as little as a few days.
Carefully Documented Tattoo Designs
These unique and sophisticated designs are carefully documented with the Japanese reading and the dictionary version of the kanji - this means that you can easily verify the meaning yourself by either using an on-line dictionary such as Japanese <-> English Dictionary or by visiting your favorite library or book store. And if you have a question please feel free to contact us.
Along with accuracy you want a design that matches your personality and style with just the right look and feel. For each carefully documented design we offer a variety of fonts and styles. Whether you are looking for bold permanence or flowing movement, we have the design that is just right for you.
And it is not enough to have a calligraphy design that just says something - the way it is said is just as important. This is why for each design we offer options in font and style - from bold and daring to feminine and delicate - with all the options you are sure to find a design that fits you.
Thousands of Beautiful Designs
Each design in the catalog was hand drawn by Master Japanese Calligrapher Eri Takase specifically for body art. These designs were then scanned in and digitized using the best software available. The result is that you will have in your hands a beautifully and accurately rendered version of the original that is ready to take to your tattoo artist.
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Balance kinkou  |
 Block |
 Cursive |
 Semi-Cursive |
Cherry Blossoms sakura  |
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 Cursive (sousho) |
 Design |
 Design |
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Transformation (metamorphosis) henshin  |
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 Cursive (sousho) |
 Design |
 Design |
See Names in Japanese. We will mainly be adding names in katakana which is the standard way that non-Japanese names are rendered into Japanese. Because katakana is an angular syllabary women will often want to use the more feminine hiragana. This is exciting and are designs that you may not have seen before.
We are seeing Japanese Calligraphy designs all over in new programming. In Fast Forward the Japanese Calligraphy and Tattoo Design for "Believe" is a major theme and used brilliantly in the plot. It was fantastic to see! If you love this like we do then see Believe (shin) for more than a dozen of Master Takase's original designs.
When you purchase a design you get the design as it should appear on the skin and the stencil / line drawing that your tattoo artist will need to ink the design. Each design is also documented with the meaning, the Japanese reading and the kanji as it appears in the dictionary.
And did you see in Stargate Universe that Col. David Telford (ie Lou Diamond Phillips) sports a tattoo of "Wabi Sabi". This was great to see and, from what we could see, it looks great. Master Takase, as many Japanese, loves this theme and so she has created many high resolution designs at Wabi-sabi (wabisabi).
And one more. We were so excited to see tonight that Jillian Michaels from "Biggest Loser" has a tattoo for Friend (tomo) on her right shoulder. This kanji has several meanings, any of which she could have had in mind. One of the great things about Japanese Calligraphy is that there are many possible meanings ... and for her no doubt this is a personal and special design. And it looks great.
I don't know what Jillian Michaels had in mind with her tattoo but this image is absolutely amazing. She is tough. She is motivated. She is in your face ... she is .... what's that kanji .... a friend? In Japanese the kanji Jillian Michaels has on her right shoulder reads tomo meaning "friend; friends; friendship". I don't know if this is the meaning she had in mind when she had it inked, I can think of a dozen other reasons and an infinite number of motivations. Maybe with her extremely difficult job this a way she reminds herself "I come in peace" or "I am your friend".
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Eri Takase's variations of the design
Friend (tomo)
For Crafts - If you are looking for quality Japanese calligraphy at an affordable price for your personal use then you are going to LOVE this. We have spent the last four months re-mastering ALL of our Stock Japanese Calligraphy Designs. If you are looking for Japanese Calligraphy designs to use in your Gift Cards, as Artwork, or for all of your personal needs then visit Resizing Eri Takase's StockKanji Designs which shows in detail, and with examples you can follow along yourself, how to use Master Takase's designs to create all sorts of designs for your craft and hobby projects.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do I get the Japanese Tattoo design?
Immediately. Non-custom designs are made immediately available after your order is placed. The design will remain in your "My Downloads" area for two weeks. It is important to save the design to a safe location on your disk.
What if I need a different size for the design?
The designs are in a PDF format with the image vectorized. This means that you can increase or decrease the size of the design and the image will still be clean and accurate.
The simplest way to change the size is to change the size in acrobat reader, then print and select "current view." This way you can easily resize the design to fit your specific needs.
Can I use the image on my website?
No. The images in the tattoo section are priced and licensed for a single non-commercial use. Mass distribution of a design regardless of whether it is for commercial purposes is now allowed.
Can I use some of the love designs on my wedding invitation?
Each design comes in three formats. The PDF format is most suitable for body art. If you are looking to reproduce the design we have two commercial use options in .JPG format.
Can I use an image on a wood carving that I am doing?
Yes. If a design is to be use more than once though it should be purchased for each use.
Can I incorporate the design into a larger tattoo design?
Yes. This may be done for your personal use. The resultant design, however, may not be sold. This is strictly for personal use.
What exactly do I get when I order?
Each design starts out as an original hand-drawn design by Master Calligrapher Eri Takase.
The individual design is then scanned in, a stencil is created and the final work converted to the Adobe PDF format. By using this format the image you print will be the same as Master Takase designed.
The downloadable artwork (an actual design is on the right) shows the design as it should appear on the skin and includes the stencil your tattoo artist will need to ink the design.
Also included is the Japanese reading and the kanji as it appears in the dictionary.
And, as almost all computers have Adobe PDF reader installed all you need is to just download and go.
For a complete list of designs see List of Japanese Words and Names in Japanese.
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