Let's talk Japanese (sttyle that is)

So' I've decided to get the start of a sleve. Can I get some ideas from you guys to keep it feminine looking. The dragons and tigers are cool, but I'm going more for a softer look. Need some ideas to bring him. Thanks!

Ummm...lizards and kitty cats?...Get it??? HEE HEE!

Hmmm.... This question holds a lot of different answers. Usually it is up to the person getting the tattoo to research and find an artist who's stuff they really like. There are plenty of guys who do japanese style stuff, some more traditional than others. Some like to keep the theme large with a lot of black, and others like to have a whole lot going on in one sleeve. Since you did say traditional....Ima throw out some guys: Chris O'Donnel Mike Rubendall Dana Helmuth Chris Trevino Joel D'Long If you want it to be true, and ultra traditional......then its not gonna be feminine. Its gonna be true to its roots....for example, a hannya mask is supposed to be female demon....but to most....it looks like a male demon. So its really only feminine to the trained eye. But I guess you could do something like beautiful flowers, water, a bird, or butterfly, a colorful snake, a koi fish..... something along those lines. Or if you want more "style" and you want it to really look feminine, then dont look into a traditional japanese artist. Look at someone like.... Joe Capobianco Kevin LeBlanc Aaron Coleman Brad Fink I dont think they would mind making a dragon look "girly", or a snake look "pretty", or whatever it is you want. Where are you @......? Then maybe somebody can accurately recommend an artist who could pull of what your thinking?

Thanks 2 cents. Thta's exactly what I'm talking about. Sticking with koi, birds, flowers. I'm in L.A. I have an artist in mind who I feel is really talented and i also happen to know him personally. I could forward you his web page (email me). His specialty is Japanese.

Birds, yes! And lets hear who the artist is, no need for secrecy!

One thing about trad Oriental is that by its nature it is BOLD!!! Some girls don't mind the bold look but you mentioned something about delicate...like 2cents whoever he is said there are artists out there who can, while keeping the oriental flavor, tone down the boldness somewhat and design the tattoo to be a bit more delicate...and ther are some Japanese artists who specialize in a more delicate style...I know you mamacat and know you have been thinkin about this for a long long time...Good tattooing and keep us informed...oh and smooch Miacat for unca TAz!!!!!

Let me put an artistic perspective on this. Like these guys said, traditional japanese tattooing doesn't reallly have it's roots in soft and girly..... BUT that said, that doesn't mean that you have to go with a traditional japanese tattoo... you can just go with traditional japanese IMAGERY and then you will be open to all kinds of incrediblly beautiful, feminine ideas including one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen which was a young lady who had her whole back done with a cherry tree in greyscale, in fall, and all of the blossoms and petals were all done in pinks and mild blues, and they were blowing and falling gently down from the tree and landing in a river below... other soft traditional japanese images include cranes (gorgeous and lucky), bonsai, insects Koi, and florals, peacocks, (believe it or not, and man, that could look unbelievable as a sleeve) or even snakes. I saw one young lady with a snake running down and around her leg, and man, I tell ya, it was hot. Biggest issue is flow. The feminity will come from the zen flow of the piece. Must be graceful, like water flowing.... or the ripples of a leaf when it lands on the water. Think Haiku.....

horses done in greyscale in traditional japanese style can be really beautiful...

I just wanted to add...... The artist she chose is top notch. One of the best in LA for japanese stuff.

Thanks 2 cents and everyone for the info. I'm excited to start something.