Story behind the picture
 

Hey Guys, I'm new to this board:ywave:,

would be great if you could help me out with this:
I'm planing to get a half-sleeve tattoo in the classical japanese style because i really love them and I love Japan.
The problem is, that I found this picture:



on the internet some time ago and now i don't remember WHERE.
So if anyone knows it or even better the Story/Myth behind it I would really appreciate it, because the motive itself is great but I'm not really comfortable with getting inked a picture without knowing its background/story/meaning