Symbolism of Omamori in Japanese Tattooing

The Omamori are Japanese amulets and charms that bring the wearer protection throughout their lives. The Japanese word omamori comes from the term mamoru which means to protect.

There are many theories about the exact time of the omamori’s origin. The most common theory is that omamori were based on magatama (comma-shaped stone jewels). Magatama appeared sometime in the Jomon Period (14,000–300 BCE).

People originally wore magatama to ward off evil spirits. From then on, temples and shrines sought ways to promote their religions to ordinary people. Visiting a temple or shrine at the time was difficult because they were pretty far. So priests combined the Shinto/Buddhist belief of animism with leaving pieces of wood or stone near dwellings. This began the precursor of modern omamori and eventually spread to the general public.

Additionally, the closest thing to what omamori is like today first emerged in the Heian Period  (794–1185). People started carrying them with personal belongings during the Kamakura Period (1192 – 1333). Eventually, priests made hundreds of different types of omamori for different occasions. As a result, you can find whichever ones you want at shrines and temples. Most omamori have similar features: fuda – a small written prayer or invocation. Priests/manufacturers then wrap the fuda in a silky cloth/bag and stamp it with the shrine/temple’s name. A string is attached, and then a priest prays over it. Moreover, the omamori is sold at shrines or temples for around 300-1000 yen (roughly 2-7 USD) each. Occasionally some shrines or temples may have exclusive omamori that can only be purchased during a set period.

There are many different kinds of Omamori that each bring a different kind of good fortune to its wearer. Have a chat with your tattoo artist for what you’d like your new tattoo to mean. Some of the common meanings are happiness, good luck, health, love and marriage, success and victory.

Snakes (Hebi) in Japanese Tattooing

The snake (Hebi) in Irezumi holds deep meaning in Japanese culture and folklore. It is seen as a symbol for protection, transformation and rebirth. In certain Shinto beliefs, they are seen as messengers and incarnations of deities, often worshipped in temples and believed to bring blessing and ward off evil.

There is a certain duality to the symbolism of a snake tattoo, while it stands as a symbol of a guardian; it can also act as a reminder of peril and life’s unforeseen challenges.

The placement and colour choices of your Hebi can also add meaning. When placed on the arm it is a sign of protection, while on your back can hint to overcoming something from your past. A black Hebi can symbolise strength and mystery, colour can add a layer of personal meaning to your tattoo.

GUEST ARTISTS SUMMER 2023/2024

We love hosting guest artists at Sunset and are super proud of the collection of artists we have joining us over the summer of 2023/2024.

With the range of artists coming we’ve covered a wide variety of tattoo styles, including American traditional, black/grey florals and geometric pattern work, anime and fine line.

Have a look at the artists below that are booked in to guest with us and head to our guest artist page for any updates.

If you’d like to inquire about guesting at our studio, send us an email at info@sunsettattoo.co.nz and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible!

Veronica

@veroalarcon.tattoo
October 2023 - January 2024

Marina

@marina_farran
22nd - 24th November 2023

pablo

@thehellatats
22nd - 24th November 2023

yasmin

@100mbheartbeat.ink
28th November - 5th December 2023

gonzo

@bbok2gonzo
15th December 2023 - 7th January 2024

kim

@kimbeomsuttt
15th December 2023 - 7th January 2024

han

@_han.zhen_
27th - 30th December 2023, 20th - 22nd January 2024

Mythological Creatures in Japanese Tattooing: Kitsune

A Kitsune is a legendary Japanese creature, shaped like a fox with magical shape-shifting qualities. It is one of the spiritual entities that belongs to Japanese mythology since the Heian period, but it is also known in other parts of Asia.

In some Japanese legends, Kitsune foxes develop human skills, learn to speak and can take on the human form of a woman or man. It is said that a Kitsune grows a new tail every 100 years, most commonly depicted with one, five, seven or nine tails. It is said that once a Kitsune develops nine tails it ascends to the heavens and transcends into the form of a celestial fox.

Kistune are symbols of intelligence and long life. They are notorious tricksters who are very sociable and derive pleasure from mimicking humans. They often take the form of a beautiful woman to lure in unsuspecting men, with the goal of finding a rich man to marry so they will be able to stay in their human form forever.


Japanese Masks in Traditional Japanese Tattooing

Traditional Japanese masks are mostly decorative and are available for sale at shrine festivals and events. Others are worn during certain Shinto dances or by actors performing a role on the stage. Most of these masks are archetypes borrowed from myth, ancient dances or Noh theatre, and they have become some of the most popular Japanese masks that you’ll see today.

As the art of traditional Japanese tattoo progressed, it was natural for Japanese tattooers to incorporate masks into their clients tattoos to express certain cultural sentiments and meanings.

Many Masks have been adapted into tattooing through the works of Japanese ukiyo-e style of woodblock prints and painting artists of the Edo period, such as Utagawawa Kuniyoshi. Kuniyoshi’s work was very famous, and inspired many Japanese tattooers, as he provided illustrated designs of many Japanese Kabuki actors, myths, as wells as legendary samurai heroes.


Hannya

The most common, and well known in western culture is the Hannya mask. The Hannya mask first appeared in a well-known variety of traditional Japanese musical theatre known as “Noh Theatre” which was popular around this time. The actors in Noh plays would tell stories through gestures while adorned in intricate masks.

The Hannya mask was used in Noh plays to depict a woman who has become so overwhelmed with sorrow, envy, or rage that she takes on the form of a demon, dragon or serpent. Its prominent features are a leering mouth, sombre metallic eyes, sharp fang-like teeth, and two devil style horns.


Oni

Oni masks are most common during the Bean-Throwing Festival, also known as Setsubun, when people wear them for festival performances at shrines. Parents will even wear them at home to frighten their children, while the kids throw beans to scare the “oni” away and invite good luck into the house for the year.

Oni are demons. They are usually depicted as red-faced and angry with long sharp teeth. While this description is similiar to that of Hannya masks, Oni are illustrated more like goblins, and can often represent specific demons from Japanese myth and legend. Many of these have been adapted to suit Japanese tattoo.

Tengu

Tengu are the fearsome demi-gods who protect the mountains. These demon-like creatures are depicted with red faces and angry expressions. But their most obvious feature is a long, red nose. In the past, tengu were more birdlike. As they became human, that beak turned into a nose but kept its long shape. Tengu masks are used for Noh stage plays and certain Shinto festivals. They’re also often used as a decoration since the tengu are thought to frighten bad spirits and bring good luck.

The word Tengu is Chinese in its origins, and derives from the word Tiangou, meaning “Heaven Dog.” Oddly, only the name Tengu is shared between the Japanese and Chinese. In Chinese culture, the Tengu is a dog, whereas, in Japanese culture, the Tengu appears as having crow-like features. Tengu masks, typically used in religious festivals and Japanese Noh theater, show a bird-headed demon.

The Tengu had magical powers that enabled them to appear in people’s dreams, shapeshift, transport themselves, and move through space without ever moving their wings, and speak without moving their lips. Japanese folklore showed the Tengu as shapeshifting protectors of the Dharma who lead corrupt priests astray. In later legend, it was said that when a corrupt monk died, he was sent to the realm of the Tengu, where he was transformed into a phallic-nosed shame-filled monster.\

Kitsune

In Japanese folklore, kitsune (literally the Japanese word for fox) are foxes that possess paranormal abilities that increase as they get older and wiser. According to yōkai folklore, all foxes have the ability to shape-shift into human form. While some folktales speak of kitsune employing this ability to trick others—as foxes in folklore often do—other stories portray them as faithful guardians, friends, and lovers.

Kitsune masks or fox masks are worn by participants in certain Shinto festivals or by attendees just for fun. Historically, foxes were viewed as magical creatures with the ability to shape-shift. They were also seen as messengers of Inari, the Shinto god of rice, commerce, and prosperity. As a result, they are important figures in some festivals involving this god.

Hyottoko

Hyottoko (火男) is a comical Japanese character, portrayed through the use of a mask. His mouth is puckered and skewed to one side. Some masks have different eye sizes between the left and right eyes. He is often wearing a scarf around his head (usually white with blue dots). The origin of the name comes from "fire" (火, hi) and "man" (男, otoko), because the character is blowing fire with a bamboo pipe, hence the shape of the mouth.

Hyottoko is a silly, childlike figure with a comical expression on his face. His mouth is almost always rounded and skewed to one side, as the stories about him usually involve him blowing on a bamboo pipe. In some traditional Japanese dances during festivals, dancers perform the role of the clown while wearing Hyottoko masks.

Okame

Okame is the face or mask of a woman who has a short nose and swollen round cheeks.

It is said that the name was chosen because the shape of her swollen cheeks looked like a vase (kame in Japanese.)

Okame is like the female version of Hyottoko, and their masks usually appear together. They can be worn by dancers to perform amusing, silly dance steps. Like her male counterpart, Okame is a positive figure and sometimes thought to bring good luck. She is portrayed as a woman with a large, oval-shaped head and smiling eyes.