Tattoos have long been an important part of Japan’s culture, dating back to the Jomon Period (10,000 BCE - 300 CE). The purpose of tattoos has changed greatly with each time period, phasing in and out of public popularity even to the present day.
Traditional Japanese tattoo by Horitomo. img src. flickr.com
Japanese tattooing is rooted in traditional practice, as indigenous groups in modern-day Hokkaido would often ritualistically mark or scar their faces and bodies, sometimes serving as permanent protective amulets for fishermen and shell collectors at sea. These tribal tattoos, the first of which are known as Ainu tattoos, named after the northern tribe, create a foundation for subsequent distinctions in types of tattoos. Such evidence of these early markings originates in Chinese records from the third century during China‘s presence in the Japanese archipelago (the ancient state of Wa). Stigmatization of tattooing tainted public perception as changing ideologies popularized through the Kofun Period (300-600 CE), Edo Period (1600-1867 CE), Meiji Period (1868-1912), and into the modern era.
As public favor of tattoos declined, body markings became heavily linked to crime and violence during the Kofun period. Criminals would be marked with the kanji inu, meaning “dog,” or dots and lines indicating the number or type of crimes committed. Punitively tattooed individuals would be ostracized by the general public, being unable to reintegrate into the larger society. The permanent “affiliation” with one’s past became, and will remain, a controversial aspect of the integrity of tattoos in Japanese history.
Punitive tattoos in Kofun and Edo Japan. img. src. pen-online.com
During Japan’s modernizing era, the Edo and Meiji Periods, tattoos were both popularized and outlawed in modern-day Tokyo and Osaka. As Japan began to prioritize contemporary appeal, a rather “civil“ reputation, authorities quickly enforced ordinances banning tattoos that restricted both natives and foreigners from receiving and displaying tattoos.
Despite the supposed legal repercussions of tattooing, the political suppression of common individuals by a restrictive central government fearing the economic potential of the lower classes would not prevent individuals from continuing to tattoo, eventually leading to a rise in decorative tattooing. The defiant acts of common folk led to incredible developments in the art of tattoo; tattooists often looked to Ukiyo-e woodblock prints that depicted inked characters and landscapes for inspiration, their beauty largely overshadowing enforcement.
A tattooed warrior by woodblock print master Utagawa Kuniyoshi. img. src. collectorsweekly.com
However, as pressure increased from Western nations during the Meiji Period, Japan sought to purge any “barbaric” practices from society, including body art. Additionally, the significance of the Confucianist belief that harming or marking the skin was insulting to one’s parents and God further exacerbated public disapproval. Tattoos were once again illicit, and tattooists were imprisoned. Individuals that used decorative tattoos to cover punitive tattoos became associated with organized crime, becoming a pivotal pillar in yakuza, or Japanese gang culture.
Though tattoos were once again legalized in 1948, the stereotype of tattoos relating to yakuza has become deeply entrenched in the public fear of tattooed individuals. Yakuza tattoos once indicated filial piety, or an allegiance to a specific clan or group, the image symbolizing strength and masculinity due to the time dedicated to creating the tattoo with traditional methods, known as wabori. Concepts of honor and the drive to rise in ranks in an underworld of organized crime became definitive themes of both yakuza members and their trademark tattoos in films during the 1970s, blurring common distinctions between wabori and “fashion tattoos.“
Colourized photo of Meiji-era yakuza. img. src. pen-online.com
Just as Kofun criminals faced anti-social dissociation, many yakuza forgo full-body tattoos to better adapt to normal life. However, an individual that publicly displays their tattoo(s) regardless if they are yakuza or not, will face difficulties in navigating many social settings. Tattoos prevent people from visiting hot springs, public beaches, or claiming certain insurance or housing benefits. Individuals searching for work can also be refused by potential employers, as tattoos are not protected under discrimination laws.
Japanese tattoo culture over time. img src. japantimes.co.jp
The trademark wabori tattoos of gang members were once equated to all types of tattoos, though more recently wabori are often distinguished from decorative or non-traditional tattoos popular in the West. However, both types of tattoos face significant social and legal discrimination. The vilified wabori and somewhat indifferent tatu show clear differences in general acceptance with a rift deeply rooted in political and religious order, punitive measures, and even stereotyping, spanning over hundreds of years of both ancient and modern history.
Comments