Piwakawaka and PohUtukawa Sleeve by TomTom

In the realm of tattoo art, a captivating fusion of cultures has emerged, blending traditional Japanese motifs with indigenous symbols from New Zealand. Among these, the Piwakawaka (New Zealand fantail) and Pohutukawa tree stand out for their symbolism and visual appeal - Tom jumped at the chance to do something a little different when this client request came through!

In Maori mythology, the Piwakawaka is revered as a messenger from the spiritual realm, embodying traits of agility, curiosity, and protection. In Japanese tattoo art, it symbolizes freedom and the fleeting nature of life, often depicted against a backdrop of black and grey, with vibrant colors highlighting its presence.

Known as the "New Zealand Christmas tree," the Pohutukawa symbolizes resilience and enduring beauty. In Japanese tattoo art, it represents solace and renewal, often set against serene landscapes rendered in black and grey, with the crimson blooms of the tree standing out as a colorful foreground.

The fusion of Piwakawaka and Pohutukawa motifs in Japanese tattoo art celebrates unity and diversity, weaving stories that transcend cultural boundaries. In Auckland, renowned tattoo artists adeptly blend these indigenous symbols with traditional Japanese techniques, creating stunning pieces that honor both cultures and the natural world.

Dragon, koi, Namazu and Kaeru Irezumi by Horiyama

Horiyama recently completed this double arm Japanese Irezumi sleeve tattoo including chest and torso plates with bold imagery and story telling throughout.

The arm sleeves tell a story of the circle of life. Starting on the left arm with a koi, continuing to the top of the left arm with a dragon koi and ending on the right arm with a dragon. An ancient legend tells of a large school of golden Koi that swam upstream in the Yellow River of China.  They gained strength battling the current and swimming together up river.  They arrived at a waterfall and many turned back, letting the flow of the river carry them away.  The remaining Koi would not be deterred and attempted to reach the top of the waterfall but struggled in doing so.  They strained and leapt, splashing back into the water.  This splashing drew the attention of local demons who saw their effort and mocked them by maliciously increasing the height of the waterfall.  Undeterred, the Koi continued on until, after 100 years of jumping, a single Koi finally reached the top of the waterfall.  The gods recognized the exhausted Koi for its perseverance and determination by turning it into a shining golden dragon, the embodiment of strength and power.  That waterfall became known as “Dragon’s Gate” and the story teaches us that with perseverance and determination can come great reward. The arm sleeves were completed in 2021.

Horiyama and her client Adam then worked on adding the chest and torso to this project. The Japanese word for frog is Kaeru, which means to return home and the Namazu is a giant underground catfish who causes earthquakes. The story of these two combined is that in any natural disaster you will always find your way home.

In the background to complete the design there is water and maple leaves to represent the river water theme.

Japanese tattooing by our sunset tattoo Artists

Our owner and founder, Tom Tom has been tattooing for 20 years and focuses on his own interpretation and stylised custom Japanese/Irezumi tattooing. He almost only does large scale, ongoing work with very loyal clients but also enjoys doing fun “one shot” and smaller tattoos. Influenced majorly by his travels to Japan, and by the amazing Japanese Irezumi artists of the 19th and 20th century, he continues to develop his craft in our studio daily.

Horiyama was born and raised in Hiroshima, Japan and has now been tattooing for over 8 years. She specialises in Traditional Japanese Irezumi tattoos. Her style is bright, bold, and simple, carrying on a long tradition of tattooing from her country of birth.

Gordy began his apprenticeship under Tom Tom in 2021, focussing on bright and bold traditional Japanese and American tattooing. He is dedicated to learning everything Japanese traditional, combining this with his expert illustration skills makes for some stand out classic tattoos. Keep an eye out for some of his larger scale work being completed in the next couple of months.

Get in touch if you’ve been thinking about getting some traditional Japanese work done - we’re here to help you out and answer any questions you might have about the process. Fill out one of our contact forms here or email us at info@sunsettattoo.co.nz to get started!

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.