58 thoughts on “Tara’s Geisha”

  11. great tattoo of Suyuri (sp) but its not a real maiko/geiko lol.
    Still, the detail is amazing

  12. great tattoo of Suyuri (sp) but its not a real maiko/geiko lol.
    Still, the detail is amazing

  13. I wonder why she took out all the piercings for the pic? I see a nostril, a madonna, and possibly an old surface bar try under the clavicle… Either way, I really like the placement of this tattoo. The blank space of the face and the gown works really well.

  14. I wonder why she took out all the piercings for the pic? I see a nostril, a madonna, and possibly an old surface bar try under the clavicle… Either way, I really like the placement of this tattoo. The blank space of the face and the gown works really well.

  19. That is a really pretty tat with solid placement and is of fairly high quality…but why did she take out her piercings?

  20. That is a really pretty tat with solid placement and is of fairly high quality…but why did she take out her piercings?

  21. I think this is a lovely tattoo…but I too was wondering why her facial piercings seem to be missing?

  22. I think this is a lovely tattoo…but I too was wondering why her facial piercings seem to be missing?

  27. the photo and tattoo are both lovely.

    but am i the only one who wonders why so many white people continue to appropriate Japanese/ Asian culture like this? it just rubs me the wrong way.

  28. the photo and tattoo are both lovely.

    but am i the only one who wonders why so many white people continue to appropriate Japanese/ Asian culture like this? it just rubs me the wrong way.

  29. but am i the only one who wonders why so many white people continue to appropriate Japanese/ Asian culture like this? it just rubs me the wrong way.

    Posted by kt on February 6th, 2007 at 8:45 pm

    What the hell are you on? Your against people enjoying and embracing other cultures, youve got a future in politics, son.

  30. but am i the only one who wonders why so many white people continue to appropriate Japanese/ Asian culture like this? it just rubs me the wrong way.

    Posted by kt on February 6th, 2007 at 8:45 pm

    What the hell are you on? Your against people enjoying and embracing other cultures, youve got a future in politics, son.

  33. It makes me happy that people can appreciate and find beauty in other cultures/ethnicities.

    Beautiful.

  34. It makes me happy that people can appreciate and find beauty in other cultures/ethnicities.

    Beautiful.

  35. Love the tattoo, the wearer, the colours…the whole shot is just perfect; I could really see this as a cover to a magazine or something.

    Also, if her monroe has been retired for a while and not just removed for the shot, I totally wish mine looks like that when I take it out someday because I really love the pocketed look it leaves behind.

  36. Love the tattoo, the wearer, the colours…the whole shot is just perfect; I could really see this as a cover to a magazine or something.

    Also, if her monroe has been retired for a while and not just removed for the shot, I totally wish mine looks like that when I take it out someday because I really love the pocketed look it leaves behind.

  45. It’s gorgeous, but I also wonder why so many people with, presumably, no ties to Japanese culture (and I may be wrong in the case of this particular person, but it’s news to me if all, or even a slim majority, of the people getting these tats do) choose to have Geisha tattooed on them.

    I wonder what it symbolizes to these people with no ties to Japanese culture, and I can’t help but think that it must be vastly different from what it symbolizes to Japanese people. And I think that says something about how we percieve other cultures and their symbols, yes.

  46. It’s gorgeous, but I also wonder why so many people with, presumably, no ties to Japanese culture (and I may be wrong in the case of this particular person, but it’s news to me if all, or even a slim majority, of the people getting these tats do) choose to have Geisha tattooed on them.

    I wonder what it symbolizes to these people with no ties to Japanese culture, and I can’t help but think that it must be vastly different from what it symbolizes to Japanese people. And I think that says something about how we percieve other cultures and their symbols, yes.

  47. Jeez, as if Japanese people aren’t getting Western tattoos as well (and I could give a zillion other examples). We live in a world where we communicate internationally — of course we’re going to be influenced by other cultures, sometimes accurately, sometimes in caricature.

  48. Jeez, as if Japanese people aren’t getting Western tattoos as well (and I could give a zillion other examples). We live in a world where we communicate internationally — of course we’re going to be influenced by other cultures, sometimes accurately, sometimes in caricature.

  49. Personally, it IS the caricature that I find bothersome. Stereotypes/caricatures are terribly difficult to avoid and, often, come with good reason, but I don’t think that’s a good reason to promote them.

    As a “gaijin” with multiple kanji tattoos, I’m not one to talk shit about cultural appropriation. But, echoing other posts, I’m curious as to the reason for selecting a geisha tattoo–especially the western image of geisha filtered through a western book and then a western movie. Not in a “you’re-not-Japanese-so-you-shouldn’t-have-anything-related-
    to-Japan-tattoo” way, but with curiosity. It’s always fun to meet people who are interested in the same subject, but, without the typical pre-picture explination, too much is left to assumption.

    (I should add that while Memoirs of a Geisha was written by a “gaijin”, it was based off of the relation of events of a true geisha, lending it some much needed credibility.)

    Also, it’s quite entertaining to realize that the average Japanese person doesn’t REALLY know all THAT much more about historical Japan than the average foreigner. Clearly this is a broad generalization, and probably more centered on the younger generation, but, unless one sets out to purposefully study something, it’s very unlikely that one will know much about it only by living in the right country. (I.e. being born Japanese doesn’t mean that one can read every kanji properly or that one is knowledgable about the vast cultural history of one’s homeland.)

    I’m talking in circles…

  50. Personally, it IS the caricature that I find bothersome. Stereotypes/caricatures are terribly difficult to avoid and, often, come with good reason, but I don’t think that’s a good reason to promote them.

    As a “gaijin” with multiple kanji tattoos, I’m not one to talk shit about cultural appropriation. But, echoing other posts, I’m curious as to the reason for selecting a geisha tattoo–especially the western image of geisha filtered through a western book and then a western movie. Not in a “you’re-not-Japanese-so-you-shouldn’t-have-anything-related-
    to-Japan-tattoo” way, but with curiosity. It’s always fun to meet people who are interested in the same subject, but, without the typical pre-picture explination, too much is left to assumption.

    (I should add that while Memoirs of a Geisha was written by a “gaijin”, it was based off of the relation of events of a true geisha, lending it some much needed credibility.)

    Also, it’s quite entertaining to realize that the average Japanese person doesn’t REALLY know all THAT much more about historical Japan than the average foreigner. Clearly this is a broad generalization, and probably more centered on the younger generation, but, unless one sets out to purposefully study something, it’s very unlikely that one will know much about it only by living in the right country. (I.e. being born Japanese doesn’t mean that one can read every kanji properly or that one is knowledgable about the vast cultural history of one’s homeland.)

    I’m talking in circles…

  51. I dont see how it is a caricature. it is just a beautiful picture. Some people are offended way too easily and need to stop analyzing so damn much and enjoy this lovely woman’s equally lovely artwork! : )

  52. I dont see how it is a caricature. it is just a beautiful picture. Some people are offended way too easily and need to stop analyzing so damn much and enjoy this lovely woman’s equally lovely artwork! : )

  53. In regards to #25 the author of ‘Memoirs of a Geisha’ was sued for defamation of character and breach of contract. Maybe reading ‘Geisha, A life’ (also known as ‘Geisha of Gion’) which is actually written by someone who is geisha would be a more accurate source of information for people interested in that aspect of Japanese culture.

    It’s a very beautiful tattoo, and has definately made me want to go ahead with my planned piece.

    Also when have people had to start justifying their tattoo choices.

  54. In regards to #25 the author of ‘Memoirs of a Geisha’ was sued for defamation of character and breach of contract. Maybe reading ‘Geisha, A life’ (also known as ‘Geisha of Gion’) which is actually written by someone who is geisha would be a more accurate source of information for people interested in that aspect of Japanese culture.

    It’s a very beautiful tattoo, and has definately made me want to go ahead with my planned piece.

    Also when have people had to start justifying their tattoo choices.

  55. as to the absence of facial piercings, i think she looks beautiful with the scars left behind. the piercings are in the mind of the beholder heehhee. pardon a tired stoner…

  56. as to the absence of facial piercings, i think she looks beautiful with the scars left behind. the piercings are in the mind of the beholder heehhee. pardon a tired stoner…

  57. Is the photo flipped or is the tattoo backwards? (The kimono is crossed the wrong way, as though she’s a corpse.)

  58. Is the photo flipped or is the tattoo backwards? (The kimono is crossed the wrong way, as though she’s a corpse.)

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *