Don't know if this is against forum rules but anyone here got a tattoo?

I've always been fascinated with Yakuza style tattoo. If I have the opportunity, I'll tattoo my whole back in a yakuza pattern.

I've been considering doing a white tiger or (Byakko, err, Bya tora?) on my right shoulder in a japanese style (don't really like the western "art"). I just wonder, is there a possibility I will be denied a job for having a tattoo in companies like Ericsson, Nokia, etc, etc?

Feel free to post your tattoo, but no picture of "private parts" please.

-Taison out

I've had 2 done. The first was a red eyed tree frog named PePe. The second was my name written in Korean. I like the way it looked and have it on my back. PePe is on my stomach. I'll post a pic of PePe when my abs get in better shape lol

Casey

I have three tattoos, and if I had a digital camera, I'd post them.

My favorite takes up quite a bit of real estate on my back.

All of my tattoos are in family-friendly areas, and are covered when I dress professionally. I've never had a problem getting a job, because my tattoos never show when I don't want them to.

If I remember correctly, Cord will be happy to show off his abundant skin ink.

This is the best I could do with my vidcam.

Thinking like the young "teen" I am,

I'd love to get one but I'm really afraid of not getting a job since there's this rumour they'll deny due to these pieces of artwork.

I'd tattoo really high up on my shoulder, so when I wear a short sleeve, it won't show. If it does show, I'd be happy to re-adjust it to my right shoulder blade. I also want to do "Tai Zun" in chinese characters on my left shoulder but that'll come much much later.

But my ultimate aim is to be able to do a full-back tat'. Just deciding what pattern or picture I want.

-Taison out

My advice... take it for what it's worth.

Think about your tattoo for a really long time. I'm talking years, if neccessary, because there are no erasies.

I'm lucky that I did that. I know people who got tattoos that they absolutely HATE, because they made hasty (and often drunken) decisions.

Make sure this is something that you want to have on your body for LIFE.

Remember that being turned down for a job isn't the worst possibility... you may find out that the girl of your dreams finds tattoos repellent.

I have yet to be turned down for a job just because of my tattoos. I chose a spot that is easily covered and I can show it off easily if I want too. Of course half shirts looked better on me about 10 years go and before 2 kids. Just think about it for a long time because tats are forever. I have a friend of mine that got one shortly after I did. We were still in high school. She liked smiley faces and the color blue. She decided to combine the 2 and now has a blue smiley face on her arm. It looks like its choking. To top it all off, shortly after she got it done a billboard went up in town for some heath insurance company...it had a blue smiley face. So now we tease her about it saying she's a spokes person for Humana. Just think about what and where before you get it. There are no "takesie-backsies" with tattoos. Ok well there is but it's more expensive to get it removed and still leaves a scar.

Casey

There is a halloween pic of me knocking around here somewhere with my arm work showing, but as yet nothing of my backpiece or chest work. I may get grumbleweed to photobucket something for me if I get a chance.

Tattoo advice.

1. always ask around to find an artist who specialises in the style of tattoo you want- just because 'artist A' does awesome tribal work, it does not mean that his japanese work is worth a damn. Everyone has specialities, and a truly great tattoo is worth saving money and traveling for- its a lifelong commitment after all.

2. Avoid inking your forearms, neck, face, hands. there is plenty of skin to have work on that can be covered for work, thus not invoking any prejudice. i show my tattoo's when I wish, and on my terms. for example, my dad doesn't know I have any whatsoever. He hates them and it would upset him, so i simply wear long sleeve shirts when we see one another. You can do the same for work/interviews.

3. take your time thinking about the specifics of what you want- do not just walk in and choose some flash off the wall. Japanese work has great meaning and symbolism in the imagery it uses, make sure if you decide to become an 'irezume', that your work tells a story that reflects what you want it too. i spent 10 years planning my tattoos before a needle ever touched my skin, and hence, have no regrets.

4. if you want a tattoo, have a tattoo. Dont start with the smallest p1ssiest little thing you can squeeze onto your delt- go for it. Have a piece of work that becomes part of the body, not a splotch that sits on top of the body like a random birthmark. If you have thought seriously about what you want, and have chosen the right artist, then have conviction in your choice. Not sure enough for that? dont have anything- you are not ready.

I see, thanks Cord for the advices.

I've been thinking of the white tiger for around a year now, going to give it another 4 or 5. As for my left shoulder, I'm still considering, since everyone is doing calligraphy these days.

The back, I'm going to give it a long time. Maybe when I'm 33, 35, around there when I've got a job, a house, a car, a loving wife, kids, etc etc. I'll only do it if the whole house agrees that they can live with "dad" having a tattoo.

Quote:

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Japanese work has great meaning and symbolism in the imagery it uses, make sure if you decide to become an 'irezume', that your work tells a story that reflects what you want it too.

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So every tattoo is more or less a story right? I'm not really good with tattoo history, I'm more of a newbie fan, just getting into it.

As for doing the tattoo. I'm going to search for a good tattooist here in Thailand. If it's not good enough, I'll gladly take a flight back to Europe and see if they got any there. Schengen visa owns!

-Tomas out

Nice tattoos Zombie.

-Taison out