Zen Tattoo Design – ‘Contentment’ In Japanese kanji Symbols For Simple & Meaningful Word Tattoo

Purchase

A simple. rare, and Zen teaching word, Chisoku (知足) ‘Contentment’ in Japanese Kanji Symbol, is available for instant download. The symbols are available in 3 different writing styles for your preference. Created and verified by a native Japanese speaker. 100% accurate and Your favourite tattoo artist DOES NOT need to know any Japanese.

Simple word tattoo behind the ear — Style 1

Japanese Kanji Symbols for Chest Tattoo — Style 2

What is Kanji ?

Kanji is one of the 3 Japanese writing systems. It is a set of symbols that represent words or concepts. Samurai’s 7 virtues are one of the most poplar Kanji tattoos that are simple yet have deep meanings

→7 Virtues of Bushido Codes Virtues for Kanji Tattoo Design

Kanji is often used to express resolutions, determinations, themes, values, ambitions etc by writing it down on a paper, and place it on the wall to make it works as a reminder every time you see it.

Kanji on a hanging scroll — Tea ceremony room

Simple, rare, and meaningful word for your tattoo explained

This Zen word consists of 2 kanji below.

知 : wisdom, to know
足 : to be sufficient

Putting these together, it means that ‘Knowing that I am satisfied’. But there’s more to it. It’s more like ‘I know that “I do not get frustrated with unfulfilled desire, I am satisfied with my lot” because there’s no end to the things you can desire’. By accepting your current situation as is, you will be free from the feeling of dissatisfaction and your mind can remain peaceful.

There are another variation to this zen word, 吾唯知足 (4 Kanji idiom). The meaning does not change, it’s just that it has 4 kanji symbols and suitable for other body parts such as knuckle.

No Machine Translations = No More Kanji Fail

Kanji are very tricky scripts and some people end up with wrong/awkward kanji tattoos. Without proper understanding of the Japanese language and writing systems(require the use of 3 different scripts), simply putting together the kanji obtained from Kanji generators might lead to Kanji tattoo fail. Even a celebrity like Ariana Grande got it wrong. (I’m glad she’s got it fixed with the help of her tutor and she’s happy with that Japanese script tattoo)

7 Rings in Japanese is 七つの指輪. Had she consulted a native Japanese speaker, her tattoo would’ve looked like this. #Japaneselettertattoo #Kanjitattoo #Japanesewritingtattoo pic.twitter.com/V5V2tJ1HlV

— Yorozuya.tech (@TechYorozuya) August 21, 2021

For this reason, it is best to consult a native Japanese speaker beforehand whether the kanji actually conveys the meaning you have in mind. To help people get the right Japanese writing tattoos, I started this online store. All letters here at Yorozuya.tech are verified by a native Japanese speaker, and you can download the letters right after purchase.

Instant Download

There is a button to download the file right after checkout and no need to wait for me to send it to you. Then you just simply forward it to your favourite tattoo artist. The letters are 100% accurate and he/she does not need to know any Japanese. The file contains both calligraphy style and line art (Stencil).Stencil is what your tattoo artist must have to ink the tattoo as it serves as the outline to trace the artwork onto your skin.

Horizontal & Vertical Directions

Both horizontal and vertical direction is used in the Japanese wiring and therefore, The file comes with both horizontal and vertical layout for your convenience and preference. Writing starts from left to right for horizontal lines whereas it is top to bottom for vertical lines.

Kanji Tattoo Example vertical Horizontal directions — Letter shown : an example

NOTE : The letters DO NOT NEED TO BE MIRRORED, they should appear just as it appears on the print-out.

PDF or JPG?

As a rule of thumb,

jpg for fingers, behind the ear
pdf for arms, chest, shoulder, and other body parts

Each script approximately fits in a 2cm (0.8inch) x 2cm grid or slightly bigger and, in general, this size is suitable for fingers, the back of the neck and behind the ear tattoo.

kanji tattoo example1 — Letter shown : an example

If you need to make it bigger for arms, chest, and other body parts, please select the pdf as it is illustrator-editable and resize-friendly. Your tattoo artist can make it bigger without the outline getting blurry.

Kanji Tattoo Example pdf benefits — Letter shown : an example

Nevertheless, please check with the example files.

If you are happy with the size of the letters and not do need to make it larger, then the “jpg” will do. But if you think you need to make it bigger or change the layout, positions, colours etc, then select the “pdf” just to be on the safe side as it is fully customisable to your likings. It might also be less work for your tattoo artist and cost less. (Please check with your tattoo artist)

3 different styles

You have 3 writing styles to choose from for this design.

each style gives different impressions and I have summarised in the gallery above.

How to order

Just simply tick your preferred style and hit the ‘purchase’ button. You have 3 writing styles to choose from for this design. Each style gives different impressions. In a nutshell,

Style 1: Elegant, Delicate
Style 2: Chic, Sophisticated
Style 3: Earnest, Sincere