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tatnoob · Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2007 6:09 pm Post subject: koi tattoo questions

So I'm thinking about getting my 1st tat and had a few questions.

I've been thinking about getting a tatoo for about the past ten years (on and off). I'm a few months shy of 33 and didnt want to get something while I was young without thinking it through. Now that I'm older I have a few ideas for tattoos that would be meaningful to me. I really like the asian style tattoos as they fit in with my interest in eastern philosophy and my faith in buddhism (though i was raised jewish. tattoos and jews could be another topic entirely as many people of jewish faith find tats sacriligious). Anyway, my ideas for tattoos are an endless knot on my upper quad (most people wouldnt see it and it would stay out of the sun) or a koi tattoo on my upper arm/shoulder.

I really like some of koi tattoos I have seen but I'm concerned it will draw too much attention and stupid/ignorant remarks. Do you just get used to that after a while? How do koi tattoos hold up over the years? How's it going to look after 20+ years? Do certain colors/designs look better long term? How difficult is it to "touch up" a tattoo after the colors have faded? Am I going to have to stay out of the sun? I live in the northeastern US but spend a good deal of time outside running, biking etc. I also go on vacation some place sunny every winter. I'm not a sun worshipper but does having tattoos mean you cant be in the sun anymore?

One last question...any good web sites about koi tattoos?

Thanks
Dan

dickyknee · Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2007 6:50 pm Post subject:

Dan , having a tattoo does not mean no more sun , i think if you use plenty of sun screen , and use your common sense ie dont lay in the sun all day every day ....your tat will be fine , they will fade over time , i have some that never see sun and they have faded a little over 12 years or so .

as for colours fading , my old ones have faded a little , but my new ones are so bright i am sure the newer inks they make now will last better ...any artists help here ????
purple can fade , so i hear ....

As for the questions regarding Koi tats , i have had one on my arm for 12 weeks now and i cant believe how many non tattooed people ask "why would you want a fish " or " is that a gold fish " ??? .
They have no concept of the japanese style tattoo ....and i can understand their questioning but it became very annoying very quickly .
I have 2 tigers , 2 snakes , 2 dragons an eagle and lots more stuff and no one ever says "why get a tiger or snake " just the koi .

I love the koi tat and am getting another huge one to cover from ankle to knee .
you will always get questions , odd looks , sneers , but you will get lots of possitive stuff too .its your arm mate do what you want dont worry about others opinions .
IMO go for it , get the koi they are great .

oh_bugger · Tattoo addict Joined: 13 Sep 2006 Posts: 516

I have a Koi on the back of my lower leg it has got some mixed reactions from why would you get a fish on you to wow love the art.

Tattoos get reactions it is part of being tattooed personally i quite like it.

fatnuts · Tattoo lover Joined: 18 Jul 2007 Posts: 1 Location: boston

hey Dan i have 2 koi tats im working on a sleeve,both are on my left forarm.ive had 1 for 10 years and the color is as bright as the day i got it.and the other for 6 years same thing great color.also they were done by differint artists.as far as comment by people in the general public if had nothin but compliments on them even by people who dont really like or get why we tattoo are selfs.