Okay, so I’ve been seeing these Japanese quote tattoos everywhere lately, and I finally decided to jump on the bandwagon. I mean, they look so cool and mysterious, right?
First things first, I needed to figure out what I actually wanted. I didn’t want to just slap any random phrase on my body. I spent, like, a whole afternoon scrolling through Pinterest and Instagram, looking at different designs and quotes. It was overwhelming!
I knew I wanted something short and meaningful. After a lot of back and forth, I decided on “一期一会” (ichigo ichie). I learned it basically means “treasure every meeting, for it will never recur.” Pretty deep, huh? I thought it was a good reminder to appreciate the present moment.
Next up: finding a good artist. This was super important, because I needed someone who could not only do good linework, but also understood Japanese characters. I didn’t want some wonky, messed-up writing on me forever!
Finding the right artist
I asked around, checked online reviews, and finally found a shop with an artist who specialized in Asian calligraphy. Score!
I booked a consultation, showed him the quote and my ideas for placement (I was thinking my forearm), and we chatted about the style. I wanted something simple, clean, and elegant.
The artist made a sketch based on my suggestion.I checked the sketch carefully,and I comfirmed the quote with one of my Japanese friend.
The Big Day
When the tattoo day finally came, I was nervous but excited. We went over the design one last time, made a few tiny adjustments, and then it was go time!
The process itself wasn’t too bad. It stung a bit, obviously, but it was totally manageable. The artist was super professional and made sure I was comfortable the whole time.
And… it’s done! I absolutely love it. It’s exactly what I wanted, and it looks even better than I imagined.
Here is the result, and take a look!
- Find a meaningful quote.
- Find an artist.
- Design discuss.
- Go and get it!
It’s a great way to express myself,and it reminds me that I shoud treasure every moment.
So, yeah, that’s my Japanese quote tattoo story. If you’re thinking about getting one, definitely do your research and find an artist you trust. It’s a big decision, but it can be totally worth it!
