its funny, you are the first person to ask me.

So here it is. I love japanese tattoos out of all the different styles. I wanted a tattoo that symbolized my life and family. I have always loved the koi and the legend behind it. I am very close to my family and have always tried to be like my father as he is such a wonderful person.

I wanted the tattoo to symbolize my journey of life, becoming a man and working to be like my father. So as the legend goes the koi transforms into a dragon, and eventually the spirit becomes a samurai. The dragon koi symbolizes my journey in life, my strengths and the dragon the protector. I feel at this point in life this koi dragon best symbolizes me at this time. I work hard daily to become a better person, a better worker, a better father most importantly so that one day, my kids look at me the same way as I look at my dad.

There are also four red cherry blossoms on the tattoo. They represent myself, my wife, and my two kids. As for the back of my arm, the lantern symbolizes life, and the kanji symbol stands for family tribe. I have the rope broken off blowing in the clowds, showing the complexity of life and family.

I dont know man, never really verbalized this to anyone, hope you understand. Bottom line was that I really wanted the koi to represent me as a person and a father. I felt that at this stage of my life, the koi shows all the hard work that I have applied to life and family. the dragon half was the protector of the family, and the transitiion shows that I am still growing as a person and a father, inspiring to be like my father the samurai.

Wow! sorry for the ramble

I hope that the lack of replys is not an indicator of what you all think of my piece. Oh God you hate it!!:eek:

that hurt man, wow. The inside of my arm took a beating like I never felt before. It looks good, but I want to wait until the colors come in better before I snap photos. In six hours we got the back of my arm finished, the koi coloured and he added about 2″ of length. It now finishes off at my elbow so a true half sleeve.

I have about 1 to 2 hours left. one spot im not sure about right now, however, we will see how it looks when it heals. It should get better and will need a touch up forsure.

I promise that I will take the pics and post them on Friday. I will do the front, both sides and back as well. I just hope that I make it through the back of my arm, they say that it is a very painful place to get a tattoo.