Gap filler tattoos are exactly what they sound like, small tattoos that fill the gap between other pieces to make a sleeve or torso look more fluid.
Cute bondage Kewpie done by Cobra Kai TattooFrog filler by Tattoo Mozart
Generally when someone says gap filler they’re referring to a more old school style, as the custom with old school tattoos is to collect lots of smaller tattoos that then form a larger piece when it’s all put together.
Flail by Gary Gerhardt at Key City TattooCoffin nails by Hudson at Rose of Mercy in London
Some common gap fillers include centipedes, flowers, butterflies, spider webs, nails, snakes, frogs, etc. Almost anything can be a gap filler if it can be made small enough and can have some diversity in placement to fit those odd angles.
Old school flower by Aaron at FHC Tattoo in MelbourneA happy little sun by Daniele Delligatti at Sacred Circle Tattoo in Rome
If you’re going for that bodysuit look you’ll probably end up with some gap fillers unless you pre-planned your whole body before you started getting tattoos, or worked with a style like Japanese where gap fillers are less common (though not unheard of).
Pistol and butterfly by Jade Harper at House of the Rising Sun Tattoo in WinnipegFloral fillers by atomlenhart
What gap fillers do you have or want?
Mosquito by Dan Coy at Hobart Tattoo Collective in AustraliaDice and floral filler by Eva at Baltimore Ave Tattoo
The Battle Royale is an old school design that consists of an eagle, a snake, and a dragon, all battling it out to be number one (sometimes it is depicted as an eagle vs a snake, or even other animals fighting).
A more neo-traditional take on the Battle Royale by Sergio Latorre at Octopus TattooClassic colours in this Battle Royale by Tim Pausinger at Pearl Harbor Gift Shop
This design has been passed down for generations through tattooers and tattoo collectors, usually as quite a large design like a full back piece, chest, or stomach, but also as smaller work on arms and legs.
Black work Battle Royale by Nico at El Furgón Tattoo ParlourColour Battle Royale by Rudi Ridgewell in Worthing, England
This most famous design was tattooed on D.C (Dave) Paul by Huck Spaulding and Paul Rogers, though there are a few older designs that are bit different. One was tattooed by George Burchett when he was working with Japanese artist Hori Uno in his shop in London, and the other by Percy Waters in Detroit. Ben Corday’s version is also quite popular.
Black work Battle Royale by Gil Guerra at Heart of Oak Tattoo in BelgiumA more neo-traditional Battle Royale by Erich XXX in Buffalo, NY
The Battle Royale is an American traditional design that has clear roots in Japanese tattooing as well as American. It was designed to represent the eternal struggle of keeping balance, particularly between the East and West, but life in general as well. Everything in life requires balance and hardship. This is a battle that will never be won.
Bold and colourful Battle Royale by JF BourbonSpaulding and Rogers version by Leonardo Maria Cardinali at Fat Cat Studio in Viterbo Italy
Most people choose to get this piece in full colour as the first wearers of the tattoo would have, but it also looks great without colour, or as a more neo-traditional piece.
Black work Battle Royale by Alban at Lig Neverte Tattoo in MontréalA very bright Battle Royale done by Alfy Iglesias at Old Ironside Tattoo in Honolulu, HawaiiBen Corday’s Battle Royale by Rich Hardy
Kintaro (literally translated as “golden boy”) is Japanese mythology’s equivalent to Hercules.
Kintaro vs the giant koi Done by Hide Ichibay at Three Tides TokyoKintaro’s head Done by Diau Yīshēng in Cape Town South Africa
Despite being called golden boy he’s usually depicted as red-skinned. He is also always seen as quite a young boy, very muscular, squat, and usually either naked or covered by only a loincloth type material.
Kintaro side piece Done by Marco Rossettini in SpainKintaro sleeve Done by Ryo Niitsuma in Okinawa Japan
According to legend Kintaro was raised by an ogre in the mountains, and his feats of strength are just as well known in Japan as Hercules’ are in most Western countries. Kintaro defeated a bear and an eagle at the same time, uprooted a massive tree to form a bridge over a river, and most famously wrestled a giant koi fish into submission.
A more old school take on Kintaro vs the koi Done by Kendi at Victory Tattooing in Vancouver, BCKintaro vs snake Done by Amar Goucem in the Netherlands
It is this last image of Kintaro wrestling the giant koi that is most often seen in tattoos. Utagawa Kuniyoshi most famously painted that specific image and made it popular for tattoo collectors.
A bright and bold Kintaro Done by Davide Di Cintio at Cloak and Dagger in London, EnglandBlack and grey Kintaro vs koi back piece Done by the Gioi Tattoo
Though Kintaro is a famous legendary figure, scholars believe he is at the very least based on a real person. The real Kintaro was most likely the son of Sakata Kurando, one of Emperor Suzaku’s bodyguards in the tenth century. Sakata’s wife Yaegiri was apparently a very beautiful woman, but when Sakata committed suicide after losing the Emperor’s favour, she took her son Kintaro to remote Mount Ashigara to raise him among animals, spirits, and mythological creatures. Here he gained powers of strength and was able to communicate with and control animals, and Yaegiri became a sorceress. Kintaro also eventually gained a powerful weapon, the very axe the god of thunder Raijin used.
Kintaro vs the boar Done by Baki in South KoreaKintaro head on the foot Done by Ordi at Black Rose Tattoo in Barcelona
Information found in the book “Japanese Tattoos: Meanings, Shapes and Motifs” by Yori Moriarty.
Duan Tattooer is an artist at and the owner of Sick Rose Tattoo Parlour in Shanghai, working alongside great artists in the shop like Kai who tattooed me.
Woman and dragonMonkey King
Duan specializes in American traditional and single needle styles, seamlessly blending old school American and Asian motifs.
Traditional woman portraitKnee ditch webs
Whether you’re looking for bright and bold colours, black and grey, or heavy black traditional work, Duan can take care of all your needs.
Black trad horseMatching hands
If you check out their Instagram linked above you’ll find plenty of flash to choose from, or you can check out the shop in person and find the perfect tattoo for you.
A classic roseSuper cool cat lady
Whether you’re in the market for a full sleeve or a small filler piece, Duan is a must visit artist in Shanghai for clean and bold tattoos.
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