U.S. Marine Corps

Outline: Boobies tattoo studio Okinawa Japan

Shading, Rendering, finishing: Morbid tattoo parlor Makati Philippines.

Cherry blossom is a symbol of female beauty and sexuality. Additionally, the cherry blossom is the Chinese symbol of feminine principal it also symbolized love in a language of herbs.

The cherry blossom is a common symbol in traditional Japanese woodblock art dating back many centuries, and as a consequence is often featured in Japanese tattooing which has drawn artistic inspiration from the woodblock prints for several centuries.

Bushido, the samurai’s code, takes the cherry blossom as its emblem. The blooming of the cherry tree is the purest manifestation of beauty in Japanese culture, but then the blossom swiftly fades and is scattered by the wind. This is the perfect death for a true warrior, who has lived with constant awareness and acceptance of the precariousness and transitory nature of existence. The essence of Bushido, or the Way of the Warrior, is that the true Samurai lives every day knowing it may well be his last. A samurai’s motto is, “This is a good day to die”. The cherry blossom as a tattoo designis a powerful reminder that life is fleeting and we must live in the present and cherish every waking moment, for it may well be our last.

The mythological bird of fire is familiar to most of us, but perhaps not so well-known is in it’s original meaning — ‘phoenix’ in Greek means ‘palm tree’.

According to Chinese mythology, the phoenix is the symbol of grace and virtue and is second only in importance to the Dragon. It represents the union of yin and yang, and was a gentle creature associated with the Empress, who alone could wear its symbol. The feathers of the Chinese phoenix were black, white, red, green and yellow - the five primary colours. In Japan, the phoenix is found carved into sword hilts, and the image of the bird seen as embroidery on kimonos. Along with the sun, the phoenix is one of the emblems of the Japanese Empire. In Japanese tattooing the phoenix is often twinned with the the dragon, symbolizingyin and yang, the harmonious combining of the best of the feminine and masculine virtues.

Norwegian client gets a custom freehand back piece phoenix design, done in morbid tattoo parlor in cash and carry mall makati manila.

custom black and gray back piece tattoo of sea creatures done in morbid tattoo parlor in cash and carry mall makati manila.

The samurai were the military aristocrats of their day. They were protectors of the shoguns and warlords that ruled Japan until the Meiji Emperor was restored to power in the 19th century. The majority of the samurai class were warriors, but some were more famous as philosophers and artists, and never saw battle. A samurai was expected to marry and father children, not only because centuries of warfare depleted the population, but to assure the continuation of the social class to which he belonged. Unlike the knights of Europe – who did not inherit the title but were given it by the reigning monarch – the samurai’s wife and children were also samurai.

The sword became the symbol of the samurai, and the specific sword known as the katana, was curved, slender, and single-edged with a long grip that could be held with both hands. His armour was of leather or iron and covered with lacquer – not wood or bamboo as popularly believed. The armour and helmet of Darth Vader appears to be based on that of the samurai, circa 1600. Symbolsof the sun, moon, and stars were used by the samurai and appeared on their helmets and flags. Their celestial powers were believed to aid the warrior in battle.

As a tattoo design, the samurai symbolizes all the highest ideals of Bushido, honour, loyalty and duty. It expresses the wearer’s understanding and appreciation of the importance of living in the moment, of taking not one second of existence for granted.

The samurai warrior is the penultimate symbol and epitome of masculine courage, honour and justice within Japanese tattooing, and the samurai represents the highest masculine ideals within Japanese culture. The samurai adhered to a strict code of conduct called ‘Bushido’, meaning ’the way of the warrior’. Bushido was based on the Zen Buddhistprinciples of Rectitude, Courage, Benevolence, Respect, Trust, Honour and Loyalty until death. Other ideals to which the samurai aspired were self-discipline, frugality, self-sacrifice and nobility.

As a samurai, a warrior was expected to conduct himself and act as if each day were his last, as it might well be. If every day might be a samurai’s last, he was expected to keep his affairs in order, so that his family would not be burdened upon his death. A samurai did not want to owe money or other debts for the same reason. A samurai lived in the now, cognizant always of the fleeting nature of existence. The cherry blossom, with its ethereal, fragile beauty came symbolize the samurai for that very reason.

american client gets a full back piece wings done in morbid tattoo parlor in cash and carry mall makati manila.

cecilia gomez bichara one of luigi’s toughest backpiece oriental tattoo model is placed in a tribal calendar for the month of january. she’s also a competitor in dutdutan last 2009.

thanks to tribal philippines, skinworkz and philtag.

artist: leone luigi mercado      collector: frances arbie domingo

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oriental back piece of luigi in just 3 sessions done in morbid tattoo shop in cash and carry mall makati manila