Japanese Writing Tattoo Idea ‘Chic/Cool’ In Japanese Kanji Symbol | Brush Stroke & Calligraphy
A simple one word, ‘Chic’ in Japanese Kanji symbol, is available for instant download. The design is 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.
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
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.
Chic for Japanese Writing Tattoo Idea: Kanji meaning explained
Chic, Stylish in Japanese is 粋 which is read Iki. This simple yet deep and meaningful word is an excellent choice for your neck, shoulder, and behind the ear tattoo regardless of gender. ‘Chic’, ‘stylish’ and ‘cool’ are usually translated as「かっこいい/格好いい」(kakkoii). This phrase is made up of 4~5 characters while 「粋」(iki) is one word and much simpler. The difference between these two is that ‘Kakkoii’ is more of colloquial and ‘Iki’ is more for writing to express theme and values like mentioned above. Also ‘Iki’ has a sophisticated, thoughtful, sexy and rebellious connotations to it. It is an aesthetic concept thought to have originated amongst the merchant classes during the Edo period.(1603 – 1867)
What is Iki ‘粋’ ?
Have you ever seen a kimono which has a plain colour and very simple outside but has a nice looking beautiful drawing inside like this.
This is a great example of what 粋 is, a distinct aesthetic ideal of subdued displays of taste and/or wealth, with an emphasis on belying, on first glance, the efforts – monetary or otherwise – taken to appear stylish. But why this design ? You won’t be able to show off the drawing once you wear it.
To understand why, you will need to learn a bit of Japanese History. Don’t worry, I’ll make it simple here.
Hitory : the development of Iki concept
During the Edo period(1603~1868) , the Samurai were ruling the society being at the top of the hierarchy.
* Japanese Hierarchy 「 士農工商」
- 士 : Samurai
- 農 : Farmer
- 工 : Artisans and craftsmen
- 商 : Merchant
- えた・ひにん : Abattoir worker・Criminal
The merchant class were considered to be at the bottom of the hierarchy (Apart from abattoir worker and criminal). But because of the political stability that last over 200 years, some merchants became richer than Samurai who should be at the top of the society. Therefore, a number of edicts were passed restricting expression of material wealth by those in the lower class of society to maintain the status or dignity of the upper class. Simply obeying the law is too soft and make you a wuss, which is uncool, but showing off too much of it will risk your assets. This is how the concept of iki, a subdued display of wealth, came about. If you are interested in this concept and want to learn a bit more of it, a book from Kuzu Shuzo is a good one.
Reflections on Japanese Taste: The Structure of Iki
What is Kanji and why is it good for simple tattoo?
Simply put, it works like a picture or drawing that has a specific meaning with explanation. Kanji is one of the 3 Japanese writing systems. It is a set of symbols that represent words or concepts and can have a variety of meanings and pronunciations depending on context. Since Kanji represents words and concepts of things, it is an excellent choice for simple tattoo. It works like ‘a picture speaks a thousand words’. For example, the sound of ‘Ka’ by itself in English doesn’t mean anything. In Japanese, however, the sound of ‘Ka’ can have different/multiple meanings depending on the kanji used, like the followings; fire(火), flower(花), a mosquito(蚊), a song(歌), scent(香), splendour(華), applaudable(嘉), etc. Check out other Kanji for your simple tattoo idea here.
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.
NOTE : The letter DOES NOT NEED TO BE MIRRORED, it 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
The script in any download files with ‘One Word‘ tag approximately fits in a 2cm (0.8inch) x 2cm grid and, in general, this size is suitable for finger tattoos and behind the ear tattoo.
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.
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)
▶️ pdf or jpg ? Which one is right for me?
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
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