The serious half of 'ninja'. A real virtue, and a strong character.

What a Japanese person actually thinks
Respected. Reads as quiet toughness rather than performance. The blade-over-heart construction is well known and people find it striking.

Meaning

Literally: blade over heart
Actually: To endure, to bear, to hold something in silence. The character is a blade (刃) above a heart (心) — enduring the cut without crying out.

Scores

Naturalness●●●●●

A real character with a real meaning, used alone in calligraphy.

Coolness●●●●●

The etymology alone makes this one of the best short kanji tattoos available. It rewards explanation instead of needing an excuse.

Watch out

lowSome people will still see 'ninja' first. The meaning holds up fine once you explain it, which is more than most kanji tattoos manage.

On skin

忍

Orientation: either

Bold brush. The blade-over-heart structure is clearest when the strokes have weight.