Having gotten tradition Japanese tattoos here in Japan by traditional Japanese tattoo artists, I can tell you that there is no definitive direction that koi must swim – upstream or downstream. They are done both ways. So don’t sweat it.
The only major uproar I can see when you mix flowers is that certain flowers, such as Sakura (cherry blossoms) are only around for about 10 days in Spring. So if other types of flowers or leaves are not in the same season, it might be an issue for purists.
@lukenordman 119059 wrote:
to me it kind of does. idk why but id love to go to japan and learn but doubt thatll happen
You should get in touch with the guys at State of Grace in San Jose. My artist is Yokohama Horiken. He’s going to finish my arm by extending my half sleeve to become a full sleeve.
I have a Koi swimming up. According to Horiken things have to be balanced. There is a reason why these guys go into decade long apprenticeships with masters like Horiyoshi III, Horitomo etc. You don’t wing traditional Japanese and if you do, well then that’s your call. But I often see screwed up Japanese stuff on people like blue colored waves, one Koi up, one Koi down on the same arm, multiple different flowers (Cherry blossoms and peonies on the same side) etc.
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Can you post a photo?
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