Skull tied to koi and foxes japanese tattoos

[JTJTJT]

Hi guys I'm trying to find some reference for something I've seen a few times. Basically koi and foxes with skulls tied to their heads with hannya style rope. If anyone knows what it's called that would be awesome.

[scottyg]

trying googling kitsune and skull

[scottyg]

http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/oinari.shtml

[JTJTJT]

That's awesome man my Google fu was obviously lacking. I'm guessing as the foxes have a story behind them for the skull the koi I've seen with the same thing is just a mashup? 

[scottyg]

@JTJTJT I've never seen the koi with a skull strapped to its head--but I'm no expert! To my limited knowledge nothing in Japanese tattooing/symbolism is just a mashup. It might be borrowed from some other folk/religious/iconographic tradition, but it's always significant.

You've got me curious.

[JTJTJT]

@scottyg

I did a massive F***ing search just to make sure I wasn't crazy. Turns out it was goldfish. No idea of significance or anything. 

Edited December 1, 2017 by JTJTJT

[scottyg]

Whoa look at that!!! Intense!!!