Death Before Dishonour In Japanese Symbols For Tattoo

This is the literal translation version of ‘Death before dishonour’. There is also a famous quote from a real Samurai warrior during the Heian era (794 to 1185) on ‘Death before dishonour’. (Don’t spare your life, spare your honour : 命な惜しむな、名を惜しめ)

Death before dishonour in Japanese letters for your tattoo

‘Death before dishonour’ in Japanese letters is 不名誉よりも死 which is read Fumeiyo yorimo shi. ‘Death before dishonourr’ in Japanese letters consist of these blocks below.

• 不名誉 : dishonour,
• よりも : than, before
• 死：death

No Machine Translations = No More Tattoo Fail

Japanese writing systems require the use of 3 different alphabets; Kanji, hiragana, katakana, and therefore very tricky and many people end up with wrong/awkward kanji tattoos. 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)

Ariana Grande’s Japanese “7 Rings” tattoo actually means “small charcoal grill” https://t.co/yjdoP9i7Gk pic.twitter.com/tlBK0QArWg

— Stereogum (@stereogum) January 30, 2019

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 kanji and Japanese script 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.

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.

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.

• jpg: Medium Resolution 
• pdf: Illustrator Editable

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