Japanese tattoo symbols and designs dates back as far as 5000 BC. It is also highly possible that the art of tattooing in Japan could have existed well before this date. Japanese clay figurines that date right back to the 5th Millenia BC have also been found with their faces engraved or painted so as to represent tattoos. As far as archaeologists and historians can tell, tattoos in the olden days were believed to have held a special magical or religious meaning to the bearers.
Kanji is a calligraphy style of letter writing that is used by the Japanese. It is indeed a widely popular choice amongst those who are looking for the best Japanese tattoo symbols or designs. By using this kanji method, you can create as well as display any message that you want to. Most of the popular kanji characters displayed today translate into a number of words and emotions such as love, happiness, laughter, wealth, lovers, beautiful, sadness, loyalty and duty.
From beautiful, exotic flowers to fierce Japanese dragon tattoos, or even large intricately designed samurai warriors, Japanese tattoo symbols and designs work for everyone and anyone. A Japanese koi fish tattoo swimming lazily across a woman's hip, a tiny ring of beautiful cherry blossoms fused together as an armband or at the ankle, a fierce looking emerald serpent slithering up someone's calf, or a samurai warrior and a lady embracing on a back – as wonderful as this art of Horimono seems to be – you might very well find yourself being lured into getting all of these beautiful Japanese symbols and designs made on your body. After all, you can never stop at one can you?