Rina Sawayama’s tattoos range from small marks near her wrist to a cowboy figure on her upper arm and a ribbon-like line along her forearm, stars and orbs. In interviews, she has also discussed a tattoo based on a photograph by Ren Hang, her dog, an early Stegosaurus and a noodle design. Photos show how different the pieces look together; some of their stories come directly from Rina.
Rina Sawayama’s small wrist tattoos
A close editorial photograph shows fine black marks around Rina’s wrist and lower arm. They sit quietly beside the image’s styling, and the available photo doesn’t identify a meaning for each small design. Their scale also makes them easy to miss when her performance clothes cover her arms.
The cowboy figure on her upper arm
A black-and-white portrait from Porter shows a small cowboy in a hat on Rina’s upper arm. Loose lines around the figure give it an illustrated look; the image is compact, but it has enough space to remain readable on the upper arm. The photograph shows the design without establishing a story behind it.
The ribbon and the fine line running along her forearm
A Vogue Japan portrait shows a separate, ribbon-like line running along Rina’s forearm, with the cowboy higher up. The line is light and open, and follows the length of the arm rather than sitting as a small standalone symbol. Its placement looks different as the arm bends or relaxes.
The Ren Hang photo tattoo
Rina has connected one tattoo to photographer Ren Hang’s work. In a Dazed interview, she said she was affected by his photographs and spoke about their treatment of Asian sexuality, skin contact and beauty. She based the tattoo on one of his photographs and discussed it as a personal reference, not just a striking image. The performance photo shows the ink as she moves with a microphone, rather than in a posed close-up.
The dog, the Stegosaurus, and the noodle tattoo
Rina mentioned a dog tattoo and a little Stegosaurus in Dazed, describing the dinosaur as one of her first tattoos. In a Time Out conversation about food, she said she also got a noodle tattoo because she loves noodles. She has named Tati Compton as her favourite tattoo artist.
These pieces don’t need a grand explanation to sit beside the Ren Hang reference. One is a dog, one recalls an early tattoo, and one comes from a fondness for noodles. Rina has talked about them in plain terms.
How her stage style changes
Rina’s costumes and makeup can change how much of her arm ink is visible. A bare arm lets the smaller designs show; a performance look can fold the same tattoos into a larger visual style. The pieces remain distinct in photos, from the fine wrist marks to the cowboy figure and long forearm line.
Ideas to borrow without copying them
For a small or fine-line tattoo, look at healed examples at the size and placement you’re considering. If you’re bringing in a photograph or another artist’s work, explain what draws you to it and ask how it might need to change for skin. A reference can guide a design without becoming a copy. A collection can include a serious art reference and a dinosaur or noodle tattoo without forcing every piece into one style.