The way a person has lived — visible in what it cost them.

What a Japanese person actually thinks
Slightly rough and quite masculine in feel. It implies a life with visible mileage — which is usually the point.

Meaning

Literally: living + manner/state
Actually: The manner of someone's life, especially as others can see it. Coined as a counterpart to 死に様 (the manner of one's death), and carries a note of ruggedness.

Scores

Naturalness●●●●●

Real and current, though prescriptivists note it was coined by back-formation from 死に様 and some older speakers dislike it.

Coolness●●●●●

The mixed kanji-hiragana makes it look conversational rather than monumental. That fits the meaning.

Watch out

lowSome traditionalists consider it a modern coinage of dubious pedigree. Most people use it without a second thought.

On skin

生き様

Orientation: vertical

Brush. The hiragana き needs a confident hand.