Michael Olise’s tattoos include Japanese writing on his right leg and black-ink designs across his arms. Photos show several distinct motifs, including a cross and a spade-like emblem.

The kaizen leg tattoo

In a Highsnobiety interview, Olise said the writing means kaizen, rendered there as “each day a little more.” It forms a vertical block on his right lower leg. A separate close-up shows other characters on the calf, but the interview does not translate them.

The forearm lettering and geometric marks

A close portrait in a France kit shows repeated geometric marks near the wrist, a small cross farther up, and a larger outlined design on the forearm. Some details are partly obscured by sleeve edges, camera angle and light.

The spade-like emblem and upper-arm designs

A dark, spade-like shape sits on the upper arm below the shoulder, among smaller marks that reach toward the elbow. It resembles a playing-card suit, but the sources checked do not identify it or give it a meaning.

Small symbols along the arms

Other photos show short lines, compact geometric forms and characters that look Japanese or Chinese on the arms and lower leg. The sources used here do not provide a full reading of those characters.

The arm tattoo photographs

Match shots and portraits catch different parts of the collection. A raised or flexed arm can reveal the forearm and upper-arm marks; a shirt may hide the back or shoulders. No single frame gives a complete view.

The guiding idea

Olise traced the idea to a conversation at Crystal Palace’s training ground. He looked into it and recognized himself in the process of improving gradually until reaching a higher level.

The wider collection

Across the available images, tattoos appear on Olise’s forearms, upper arms, lower legs and parts of his back and shoulders.