Samurai Tattoo Meaning With 150+ Awesome Tattoo Ideas For Samurai Enthusiasts

The samurai tattoo represents courage, self-discipline, nobility, protection and much more.

In the past, I noticed a pattern in people who requested the samurai tattoo. Most of them had some connection with the samurai while others were historians who have studied and developed a love for the samurai. This garnered my interest to learn about the Japanese samurai tattoo. And yes you guessed it right, this made me get a samurai tattoo.

Regardless of your reason for getting the tattoo, here are some excellent samurai tattoo designs with their meanings to help you select the best.

All About The Japanese Samurai and Samurai Tattoo Meaning

Samurai tattoos pay homage to a noble hereditary 'military cult' that existed during medieval and early modern Japan. The Samurai has a vast and spectacular history in ancient Japanese culture. They are fierce warriors known to maintain an honest and disciplined approach on the battlefield.

Those born into the samurai class attain the samurai status by blood and are held in prestige and honor. People who marry into the family of samurais can also enjoy the status of being one. They also enjoy special privileges that allow them to wield two swords and kill citizens of the lower class in certain situations.

A samurai woman is known as Onna-Musha and she fights alongside samurai men. These women who are of Bushi tribe are well-trained in the use of weapons. They play an important role in protecting their household, children, dignity, and honor.

Samurai aesthetic attires are one of the major reasons most people find interest in Japanese samurai tattoos. Samurai clothing consists of cuirass, thigh guards, and a helmet for protection. They also wear the demonic oni or hannya mask for two major reasons. One is to protect their faces and the other is to terrify weak-hearted enemies. Underneath their armor, samurais wear baggy garments covered with a kimono.

Beyond Japan and the traditional Japanese culture, young people have gathered interest in samurai tattoos due to their portrayal by popular figures like Toshiro Mifune in movies. Some movies like Seven Samurai and hidden fortress are where some people developed a passion for samurais.

A samurai warrior is portrayed majestically wielding the katana which is his main weapon and a Wakizashi. Katanas are long Japanese swords while the Wakizashis are short ones. They also carry a bow and a spear which they rarely use. The bows are known as Yumis while the spears are called Yaris.

Samurais lead a lifestyle that is dictated by the Bushido code. The Bushido code is where most of the samurai tattoo meanings are drawn from. The Bushido code which is similar to the British code of chivalry in western cultures has seven main virtues that are still applicable in today's life.

The Bushido code serves as basic samurai elements and they have become the most common meanings associated with samurai tattoos. You can find peace in associating some of these virtues with your samurai tattoo.

Honor

A samurai is a man of honor. They guard their honor with their lives and would do anything to avoid shame. This is significant in warfare, as samurais will make every sacrifice required to earn them victory in battles. Samurais are also known to perform seppuku, an act of suicide to maintain the honor of not only their families but that of themselves after they die.

Integrity

Integrity is another important virtue of a samurai that can be associated with a samurai tattoo. Samurais have a cultural belief that makes them stand by what they believe in, which raises their morale and keeps them disciplined in battle.

Compassion

A samurai stands out when it comes to compassion. As someone who is compassionate, a Japanese samurai will always use every bit of skill he has to protect and defend the weak.

With compassion, samurais are less likely to be corrupt regardless of the enormous power that rests on their shoulders. A samurai tattoo can represent self-discipline and also a grim reminder that one has to be compassionate in their dealings with orders.

Honesty And Sincerity

Honesty and sincerity are other elements of a samurai. These are some of the samurai tattoo meanings tattoo lovers can derive from their samurai tattoos. A samurai is honest and sincere and these virtues set him apart from warriors of other cultures.

Duty And Loyalty

Duty and loyalty are other elements of the Bushido code that ensures samurais give their all while serving the country. It also prevents betrayals within the military. As a person who is loyal, you should get a samurai tattoo with this symbolic meaning.

Courage

Sometimes, all you need is a symbol to encourage you to keep going. In such cases, samurai tattoo can be an important symbolic tattoo.

Respect

Respect is an important part of Japanese culture. Samurais, like every other fighting force, are expected to be respectful, which in turn raises the respect and faith of the people in the samurai. These projects samurais as protagonists who deserve the support of the common man.

155 Japanese Samurai Tattoo Ideas

Sleeve Samurai Tattoo Ideas

The most popular designs of samurai tattoos are done as sleeve tattoos. Samurai tattoos have intricate designs that need to be spread out to form gorgeous body art. This is why a sleeve tattoo is a classic choice for a samurai tattoo.

This collection contains a variety of samurai tattoos. Some special tattoos in this collection include samurai and koi fish tattoos, a realistic samurai tattoo, and numerous samurai mask tattoos. You will find a particular design worth getting from your tattoo artist.

Samurai Arm Tattoos

If you're looking for a stunning samurai tattoo design with an awesome cultural significance, select your samurai tattoo from this collection.

You don't have to be a true warrior to rock these badass arm tattoo designs. This collection contains samurai helmet tattoo, oni mask tattoos, and more. Wearing some of these tattoos will help you dodge evil, while some samurai designs will bring you good fortune and complement your beauty.

You can associate the traditional meanings of samurai tattoos with your arm tattoo or get creative and find a meaning that matches your personality and experiences.

Samurai Forearm Tattoo

Hannya mask tattoo, Bushido tattoo, and angry samurai face are a few of the samurai tattoos that stand out in this collection of Forearm tattoos.

Samurai Chest Tattoos

Large tattoos require spacious body areas to be brought to life. The chest is one of the perfect parts of your body for a samurai tattoo.

This collection contains a lot of amazing tattoos. These tattoos range from samurai weapon tattoo, samurai head tattoos, and realistic samurai tattoos that incorporate tigers or dragons to make you fearless when you confront danger.

These chest tattoos symbolize strength and loyalty and are great for men and women. They can also inspire samurai discipline and other essential elements of a samurai.

Samurai Back Tattoo Ideas

The back is also an extensive body part for an intricate samurai tattoo. Such a tattoo tends to be bold and are bound to portray one's fighting spirit.

Samurai back tattoos come in different sizes but those that cover the entire back tend to be more aesthetically pleasing.

A back samurai tattoo symbolizes honor, resilience, and self-confidence.

Samurai Belly Tattoo Design

Samurai belly tattoos are not so common but they are unique and majestic in design. Some samurai belly tattoos extend beyond the belly to the chest while others can go on to become a full body tattoos.

One of the most outstanding tattoos in this collection is that of a samurai under a cherry blossom tree. A cherry blossom is one of the symbols of a samurai. This is why a samurai and blossom flower tattoo is a perfect combination.

Samurai Shoulder Tattoo Designs

Here are amazing samurai shoulder tattoos symbolism of hard work and success. Soldiers and fighters can try this tattoo for good fortune.

The tattoos in this collection are inked in darker samurai ink and their delicate design will earn you a lot of attention.

You will find a samurai tattoo representing good luck, hope, and grace within this collection. Try a shoulder samurai tattoo and let it protect you in an unfortunate scenario.

Samurai Thigh Tattoo Designs

This collection contains some of the most iconic samurai tattoo designs for you to choose from. Samurai thigh tattoos have a hypnotic look that you can't turn down. You can create your own variation by switching the samurai's head for a french bulldog's head. You will end up with a samurai french bulldog tattoo which is great for a dog person.

There are a lot of tattoos in this collection that hold serious meanings. Some of these include nobility, courage, masculinity, and honor.

Samurai Leg Tattoo Designs

Leg samurai tattoos represent bravery, grace, and nobility. You don't have to be a warrior or have a specific reason to sign up for the amazing tattoos in this collection. If you are just a fan of samurais from video games or simply like samurai history, you can try these leg tattoos and let them guide you to honor, and growth.

Samurai Head And Neck Tattoo Designs

If you are looking for unique Japanese samurai tattoo that will make you stand out, you need to pick a tattoo from this collection. These tattoos inspire people to keep their head held high.

Some of the meanings you can draw from these tattoos include bravery, good fighting spirit, and discipline.

Special Samurai Tattoo

This collection contains samurai tattoos with creative and authentic designs. Some of them can be used to express masculinity or femininity but you can get them for their unique looks.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What Does a Japanese Sword Tattoo Mean?

Swords are important when it comes to samurais. Samurais are known for their great skills in using the katana.

A Japanese sword tattoo represents courage, bravery, protection, and strength.

2. What Tattoos Did Samurai Get?

In ancient Japan, Samurais were not allowed to get tattoos. In Japan, tattoos are still considered taboo, even though they are not illegal. However, samurais who get tattoos get them on parts of the body where they are hidden. Some of the tattoos done by samurais include dragons, geishas, and tiger tattoos.