Black & Grey Crane and Koi Sleeve
Done by Horiyama. Auckland, New Zealand
This full sleeve is a black and grey composition featuring a crane and koi moving together through wind and water. Designed in a traditional Japanese irezumi style, the sleeve brings together two powerful and symbolic motifs that balance one another — sky and water, grace and strength, stillness and perseverance.
As a Japanese tattoo artist specialising in Irezumi, I am always drawn to subject matter that carries both visual impact and deeper meaning. The crane and koi pairing allows for strong flow across the arm while also telling a quiet story.
The Meaning Behind the Crane
In Japanese folklore, the crane (鶴 – tsuru) is a symbol of longevity, loyalty, and good fortune. It is often associated with peace and spiritual elevation. The crane’s upward movement across the shoulder creates lifting direction, giving the composition a sense of lightness and breath. The wings wrap naturally over the deltoid, using the shoulder cap as a canvas for motion. This placement allows the feathers to open outward, following the natural form of the arm. The crane’s head sits forward, guiding the viewer’s eye down into the rest of the piece. In traditional irezumi, birds are often placed in the upper sections of the body to represent air and heaven — a contrast to water-based elements below.
The Strength of the Koi
Flowing through the lower half of the sleeve is the koi (鯉), one of the most enduring subjects in Japanese tattooing. The koi represents perseverance, resilience, and the ability to overcome adversity. According to legend, a koi that swims upstream and passes the Dragons Gate transforms into a dragon — a story deeply rooted in themes of growth and determination.
Here, the koi moves through layered waves, wrapping the forearm and creating rhythm and movement. The scales are built with traditional repetition and patterning, creating texture while maintaining clarity from a distance.
Composition and Flow
One of the key principles in Japanese irezumi is flow — how the design moves with the body rather than against it.
In this sleeve:
The crane occupies the upper arm and shoulder, creating openness and expansion.
The koi curves through the forearm, following the natural taper of the arm.
Wind bars and waves connect the two motifs seamlessly.
Sakura (cherry blossoms) are placed selectively to soften transitions and create breathing space within the black background.
The negative space is intentional. In black and grey Japanese tattooing, contrast is everything. The deep, saturated black background pushes the imagery forward, allowing the lighter skin tones to act as highlight and dimension. Rather than relying on colour, this piece uses patterns, texture, and skin space to create impact.
Black and Grey in Traditional Japanese Tattoo
While many associate Japanese tattoos with bold colour, black and grey irezumi has a long and respected history. Large areas of solid black (nurigome) are used to frame the imagery and create longevity in the tattoo. Black and grey Japanese tattooing allows the design to feel timeless and strong. It ages beautifully and maintains clarity over decades when executed with proper structure and balance.
Balance of Opposites
What makes the crane and koi pairing so powerful is contrast:
Air and water
Stillness and movement
Elegance and endurance
Upper world and lower world
Together, they create harmony.
This sleeve was designed not just as decoration, but as a composition that moves naturally with the body and reflects traditional irezumi principles while remaining clean and modern. If you are considering a large-scale Japanese tattoo in New Zealand, whether a sleeve, back piece, or body suit, you are welcome to send me an email through the contact page. I would be happy to discuss your ideas and help develop a design that suits you. Based in Auckland, I specialise in traditional Japanese Irezumi, focusing on bold structure, strong flow, and designs that honour the history of this art form.
Thank you for reading.