Are you considering going for a full back piece?
You could incorporate all of the ideas folks are throwing out here...
I'd consider adding other elements - some earth and air.. and maybe fire... in the japaneses theme.
Also, I would take some of the elements that you come up with to your artist and see what s/he thinks.
I am a little more than half way through a full-ish sleeve and came in with the two core components but have left the rest of to my artist with stellar results.