read. irezumi (insertion of ink) is the traditional Japanese tattoo.
read. irezumi (pierce and blue)
Other, more polite word for traditional tattoo is horimono (engraved thing).



History
In Japan, tattooing has been part of the culture since at least 500 BC. Designs were thought to have spiritual significance as well as functioning as a status symbol.
In the Kofun period (300-600 AD) tattooed marks began to be placed on criminals as punishment and tattoos began to assume negative connotations. (Common criminal tattoo was inu meaning dog ). Until the Edo period (1600-1868 AD) the role of tattoos in society fluctuated. Tattooed marks were still used as punishment, but there were also designs for decorative purposes.
In the Edo period Japanese decorative tattooing began to develop into the advanced art form it is known as today.

Tradition
The tattoo will usually be chosen from a collection of books, all hand drawn by the master tattooists from traditional sources. Tigers, dragons, flowers, koi (carp), heroes or woodblock prints of the Edo period are favourite themes. True horishi (master tattooists) may spend several months consulting with the client about designs, before inserting the design by hand over the course of two to ten years. A traditional Japanese tattoo will usually cover the whole body or at least a large proportion of it. While there are several different patterns the tattoo will usually extend from the neck to below the buttocks and some portion of the arms and chest.

The outline will be drawn freehand onto the clients skin, usually this will be done in one sitting (several hours). When the outline is complete, the shading and colouring is done in weekly visits. When the tattoo is finished, the artist will "sign" his name in a space reserved for that purpose. The tools used comprise wooden handles with metal needles attached by silk thread. Number of needles depend on the thickness of the line to be tattooed.



Further reading and reference:
Oriental Irezumi and Occidental Tattooing in Contemporary Japan



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