Koi. Easily the most recognizable design in Japanese tattooing. The koi fish is the first image that pops in to many peoples head when they think of Japanese tattooing, but, for good reason. The image itself, in my opinion, is one the strongest and most classical piece you can get. It will fit beautifully on any part of the body, if done properly, the shape of the fish accompanied by water, flowers or maple leaves will compliment and make dynamic any area you wish to place it.

The koi fish or Nishikigoi (coloured carp) are admired for their endurance and perseverance in the face of adversity. The Chinese believe they represent good fortune in business and academics while Buddhist see it as a representation of courage. The date of when the koi was introduced to Japan is unknown, although records do show breeding of the fish on the island of Honshu as early as 1800. The koi itself were originally found in central Europe and Asia with domestication starting in east Asia where they were used as food fish.

I generally try and pair the koi with either cherry blossoms or maple leaves, depending on which direction the koi is going. Going up would be going against the stream in the fall which needs the maple leaves and going down needs the blossoms to show the spring season. One popular legend of the heroic fish is that of a thousand koi swimming up the Yellow River in China fighting the strong currents. At the end of the river lies a waterfall know as the Dragon’s Gate. Most of the koi turned back because the strength of the current and the falls proved too difficult. But some remained, where they tried for a hundred years to reach the top of the falls. Eventually one did leap over the waterfall, the gods approved of  his heroism and persistence and turned him into a golden dragon.