Japanese tattooing — irezumi — is the most complete tattoo tradition in the world: every motif carries meaning, and every gap is filled with flowing gakubori background so the whole body reads as one composition. It is the style most suited to large-scale work, from a single sleeve to a full soushinbori bodysuit.
Designing a chest
The chest works with the body's symmetry — pieces often mirror across the sternum or sweep from shoulder to shoulder. Plan around the collarbones and pectoral curve, and decide early whether to leave a centre gap or run edge to edge.
Pain
The sternum and collarbones are among the most sensitive areas; the outer pec is easier.
Scope
One to several sessions depending on scale and detail.
