Horimono is a traditional Japanese tattoo that covers a large part of the body with a single composition. The classic layout covers the back, arms, thighs and buttocks, and often the chest. The hands, feet and head are left untattooed.
What does horimono look like?
The composition draws on Japanese art and folklore: dragons, koi carp, tigers, cherry blossom, peonies and figures from legend. The background is filled with waves, clouds or wind. The whole forms a single image rather than a set of separate designs, which is why horimono is the best-known example of a bodysuit.
How is it made?
Traditionally, horimono is done by hand using the tebori technique. Today many artists work in this aesthetic with a machine. A project like this takes many sessions, often years, and needs a detailed plan from the start.
A related, broader category is oriental tattoos. We explain how to plan a large project in stages in Planning a tattoo sleeve: a guide.