I searched hard through the forums and could not come up with an answer. A few came close. If someone says I absolutely should not attempt this, I would listen. I lived in Japan when I was in the military and could speak japanese on a very beginners level, so I'm not completely new to japanese. I'd like to honor the fact that two of my children were born there by getting a tattoo that speaks to love of family, or something that means something equivalent. I wanted something that would not be super strange to a kanji reader (even though I know that japanese culture is different). I was thinking something like koishite ka zoku, or Ka Zoku Ai. I don't want to make a kanji or major language mistake though. Flame away if you want, but I'm all ears to people who truly understand the language. You can't hurt my feelings.
Yet another tattoo request!
- Thread starter csortman
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- Thread starter
- #5
Is your opinion that it is not worth the artistic nature of this to a westerner? I may visit Japan again some day, but have no plans to live there again. I'm willing to hear a true dissenting vote.
- 12 Oct 2013
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I think kanji tattoos are a cliche that are best avoided. Really, they do nothing to honor the culture, which, in general, shuns tattoos as something fit only for a criminal. Its something that comes up on reddit so often its ridiculous.
"I really love the Japanese culture, so I want to get a tattoo in Japanese that celebrates this"
It's like saying, "I really love the vegetarian lifestyle, so to honor all vegetarians out there I'm going to do a podcast from McDonalds".
Japan still forbids people with tattoos from entering some onsen or other public baths or pools. Tattoos, in my opinion, are the wrong way to show your love of Japan, especially if you plan on visiting again.
Plus, on top of all that... its 2022... the whole kanji tattoo thing should have ended ten or twenty years ago.
"I really love the Japanese culture, so I want to get a tattoo in Japanese that celebrates this"
It's like saying, "I really love the vegetarian lifestyle, so to honor all vegetarians out there I'm going to do a podcast from McDonalds".
Japan still forbids people with tattoos from entering some onsen or other public baths or pools. Tattoos, in my opinion, are the wrong way to show your love of Japan, especially if you plan on visiting again.
Plus, on top of all that... its 2022... the whole kanji tattoo thing should have ended ten or twenty years ago.
- Thread starter
- #7
Love the perspective. Thanks for sharing. Unfortunately, I'm tatted up already, so it may be a moot point regarding onsens!
- 8 Aug 2005
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Your body, your informed opinion. Would love to see the finished piece.
- 8 Aug 2005
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Have you considered 家族の絆, or do you want to put more emphasis on family, as opposed the bond with family.
They both translate as "family ties" but are a little different,
家族との絆 is like "the bonds with family"
家族の絆 is more "the bonds of family"
I also prefer keeping it to four character, so it's more like a yonmoji jukugo. Anything more than that and it may as well be a haiku.
They both translate as "family ties" but are a little different,
家族との絆 is like "the bonds with family"
家族の絆 is more "the bonds of family"
I also prefer keeping it to four character, so it's more like a yonmoji jukugo. Anything more than that and it may as well be a haiku.
A tangent, but I once heard that survivors of a tatted person can be known to argue over who gets, as a keepsake, one or another tattoo off the deceased.
A unique lampshade might be a nice way to maintain the memory of a loved one.
A unique lampshade might be a nice way to maintain the memory of a loved one.
- Thread starter
- #13
That is SOOO Funny. The first large tattoo I got was from a man who wanted his skin stretched into an art piece to be placed on the wall in a frame!
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