不名誉より死 fumeiyo yori shi Death Before Dishonor

不名誉より死 puts honor above life: a person would rather die than lose their good name. 不名誉 is dishonor, the stain on a good name, and 死 is death. The phrase has no verb, the way a crest or a motto speaks, and the thing chosen stands last. Whether you take it as a soldier's vow or as a rule you keep for yourself is yours.

We want you to be as happy with the meaning as you are with Master Takase's art. To learn more, visit Philology of 不名誉より死.

Each design is Master Japanese Calligrapher Eri Takase's hand-brushed calligraphy of the word or phrase on this page, delivered as a PDF you can print. Every PDF includes the line art, so a tattoo artist or a craftsperson can work from the outline as well as the brushed image.

Your purchase includes a personal-use license: use the design as a tattoo reference, frame it, engrave it, print it for yourself, or make it into a gift. For more information see Licensing, which also covers commercial-use options that may be purchased separately.

Your PDF is available for download the moment your order completes, and a copy is attached to your emailed receipt.

If you need your design again later, ask us for it and we will send it.