Frogs are a common subject in Japanese irezumi. These frogs are often seen holding leaves, instruments, food, or other household items. They are also often dressed as samurai; katana and all.
Frog with its own irezumi, wielding a meat cleaver. Done by Alex Henderson at Speakeasy Tattoo.Another frog by Alex Henderson, directly influenced by Kyôsai.A neo Japanese piece done by Henbohenning.Bright frog done by Kye Wolff at Black Tide Tattoo in Melbourne, Australia.Bright buddhist frog done by Pino Cafaro.
These frogs are largely based off of woodblock prints painted by Kawanabe Kyôsai. Kyôsai painted a number of frogs, but his most famous piece is called “Fashionable Battle of Frogs (Fûryû kaeru ôgassen no zu)”.
Fashionable Battle of Frogs (Fûryû kaeru ôgassen no zu)Cute frog munching on some ramen. Done by Amber Schade in Melbourne, Australia.Frog playing a Japanese shamisen done by Hide Ichibay at Three Tides Tattoo in Tokyo.Green frog done by Lance at Authentink Tattoo Studio, Sydney, Australia.Bold blackwork frog with its own chrysanthemum tattoo, done by Thomaz Fernando.Frog dumping out a jar filled with koi fish done by Tien Tien done in Taiwan.
These frogs are mainly done in a traditional Japanese style, though they can also be done as more American traditional, or neo traditional.
A brighter frog done by Buda tatuagens Araraquara in São Paulo, Brasil.
They are usually done with full colour, with a similar colour palette to the paintings.
Bold dancing frog with Japanese fan done by Caio Piñeiro, at Sang Bleu Tattoo in London.Angry looking samurai frog done by Horimatsu.Dark ninja frog done by Makoto in Fukuoka, Japan.
Some of these frogs even have their own irezumi. Usually flower designs that are simple for the artist to make small.
Frog ready to do battle, featuring its own hannya tattoo. Done by Fabio Platino in Naples.Dark monster-like frogs done by Ganji at Three Tides Tattoo in Tokyo.Kyôsai’s frog done by Jade Harper at Rebel Waltz Tattoo in Winnipeg, Manitoba.Samurai frog in full clothing done by Nick Maurypovich at Five Fathoms Tattoo in Vernon BC.Samurai frog head also done by Nick in BC.A third tall and gangly frog samurai done by Nick.
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