When the needle is pressed to the canvas

Feel sakura bloom

Among torrents of wind and water

Linked with bokashi

Shin bashi-iro swirls

Shu iro fire rising out of shoulders

Follow the path of kitsune

Padding across the forearm

While kirin gallop towards the elbow

Look to Raijin and Fujin

Storming at the boarders of the spine

Waiting for Kintaro to climb from below

And meet Fudo Myoo at the top

Tamatori-Hime keeps her vigil from the thigh

Against the gaggle of yokai parading across the ribcage

Embrace the story of irezumi

And they will never fade