Kiyohime Back Piece by Horiyama

A Japanese back piece centred on Kiyohime carries intensity, movement, and layered symbolism. Rooted in folklore, Kiyohime’s story tells of deep love turned to fury, culminating in her transformation into a serpent. That emotional duality, beauty and vengeance makes her a powerful subject for a full back composition.

She is depicted wearing a flowing blue robe adorned with chrysanthemums. The rich blue creates bold contrast across the back, while the chrysanthemums symbolise resilience and nobility. Their structured petals add rhythm and balance, softening her presence while reinforcing her inner strength.

Behind her, a snake moves through the background, not overpowering, but ever-present. It echoes her legendary transformation and adds tension to the composition, weaving through wind or smoke elements to create flow from shoulder to lower back. The result is a piece that feels elegant at first glance, yet charged with quiet intensity beneath the surface.

Dragon Arm Sleeve by Horiyama

This striking Japanese tattoo combines a full arm sleeve with a chest plate, creating a design that flows naturally with the body. The centrepiece is a dragon, its green scales shimmering and red underbelly glowing, coiling dynamically around the arm. In Japanese culture, dragons symbolise wisdom, strength, and protection, and this design captures all of those qualities in every curve and detail.

The background enhances the dragon’s presence. Red lightning bolts crackle across the skin, wind bars sweep through the composition, and billowing clouds add traditional depth and texture. These elements give the tattoo movement and energy, making the dragon feel alive, almost as if it’s in the midst of a storm.

Extending onto the chest, the full chest plate integration ensures the design isn’t just decoration, it becomes part of the wearer’s form, flowing naturally with the body’s contours. The result is a cohesive, dramatic scene that balances bold colours, intricate detailing, and mythic storytelling.

This sleeve is a testament to the artistry of Japanese tattooing, where legendary creatures, vibrant colour, and dynamic backgrounds come together to create a piece that is both visually stunning and deeply symbolic.

Kitsune Arm Sleeve by Horiyama

A Japanese arm sleeve featuring a kitsune fox with sakura cherry blossoms blends mythology, symbolism, and striking visuals. In Japanese folklore, kitsune are magical foxes known for their intelligence, cunning, and transformative powers. They can act as protectors, guides, or tricksters, reflecting duality and adaptability. In tattoo art, a kitsune represents personal growth, resilience, and the ability to navigate challenges with wit and grace. Its multiple tails, often depicted in traditional designs, can flow naturally along the arm, adding energy and movement to the piece.

Sakura, or cherry blossoms, provide a soft, flowing contrast to the fox’s dynamic presence. They symbolise the fleeting nature of life, beauty, and renewal, reminding the wearer to appreciate each moment. In a sleeve design, sakura can wrap around the arm, intertwining with the kitsune to create depth, balance, and a sense of natural rhythm.

Fine Line Marine Life by Veronica

Veronica’s fine line marine tattoos are inspired by the calm, movement, and depth of the ocean. Her approach is soft and intentional, using clean, delicate lines to create designs that feel light on the skin while still carrying strong meaning. Rather than bold outlines or heavy shading, her work focuses on flow, balance, and simplicity.

She’s drawn to ocean creatures for their symbolism and natural movement, grace, resilience, patience, strength, and transformation. Veronica captures these qualities through subtle detail and thoughtful composition, allowing each tattoo to feel peaceful and expressive without being overpowering.

Every piece is designed to work with the body’s natural lines, making the tattoo feel like it belongs exactly where it’s placed. The result is artwork that’s timeless, elegant, and deeply personal. For anyone who feels connected to the ocean and prefers a refined, minimalist style, Veronica’s fine line marine life tattoos offer a beautiful way to carry that connection with you.

Goro Nyudo Masamune by Horiyama

The body suit is steadily taking shape, two half sleeves and one full leg complete, with one more leg still ahead. But the true centrepiece of this evolving project is the full back piece, dedicated to one of Japan’s most revered historical figures: Gorō Nyūdō Masamune.

Masamune, active during the late Kamakura period (13th–14th century), is widely regarded as the greatest swordsmith in Japanese history. His blades—known collectively as Masamune swords, were prized not only for their exceptional sharpness and durability, but also for their remarkable beauty. Unlike many weapons of the time, his swords were said to possess a “benevolent” spirit, cutting cleanly without the aura of malice found in more aggressive blades. This unique balance of power and purity elevated him from craftsman to legend.

He founded the Sōshū-den style, which influenced generations of smiths and shaped the trajectory of Japanese swordmaking. Many of his students would go on to become masters themselves, and stories of his skill, humility, and meticulous discipline continue to define him centuries later.

For a back piece, Masamune is a perfect fit, his story is one of mastery, dedication, and timeless artistry. The design captures him in a moment of focused creation, surrounded by traditional elements that echo the forge: flowing textiles, steel-tempered patterns, and classic Japanese background work that binds the composition together.