Japanese mask arm sleeve by TomTom

In Japanese Irezumi, placement shapes meaning, and a sleeve arranged from Tengu at the top to Saru at the wrist creates a flowing descent through different layers of myth. With sakura blossoms drifting through the background, the entire piece gains a sense of impermanence, beauty, and seasonal renewal.

The sleeve opens with the Tengu on the upper arm or shoulder, the mountain spirit known for discipline, martial skill, and watchful protection. Perched above the other masks, it acts as a guardian looking down over the design. Its bold features set the tone against a scattering of soft cherry petals.

Below it sits the Kitsune, the shapeshifting fox spirit whose intelligence and mystery bridge the realms of illusion and clarity. The delicate forms of falling sakura emphasise the Kitsune’s elegance and create a smooth transition between the upper and middle sections of the arm.

Moving onto the lower arm lies the Oni, fierce yet protective. The cherry blossoms around it soften its intensity without diminishing its power, illustrating the balance between inner turmoil and the beauty found in confronting it.

The sleeve concludes with the Saru near the wrist, the playful monkey spirit symbolising cleverness and adaptability. As petals swirl around the mask, the energy becomes lighter, grounding the design in movement and human warmth.

Together, the Tengu, Kitsune, Oni, and Saru, woven through drifting sakura; create a unified story of vigilance, transformation, strength, and spirited resilience.