Japanese Tattoos

Today, Japanese tattoos are very popular and now well-know to Western eyes. Thanks to the power of the Internet and the spread of Japanese traditional and popular culture, Japanese tattooing conventions are less of an arcane event they they used to be.

Like many Japanese traditions and customs, Japanese tattooing is an art unto itself. However, Japanese tattooing is still regarded with some suspicion in mainstream Japanese society. People who display their tattoos may be ostracized and struggle to rent an apartment or secure a job. Even being admitted to hot spring bath houses or public swimming pools can be problematic.

No doubt, from some Hollywood movies you have seen, you’ll know that Japanese tattooing is associated with the Yakuza, the Japanese mafia. Yakuza members are renowned for their extensive full body tattoos. These tattoos are revealed to other gang members in ritualistic ceremonies or tattoo festivals, but otherwise tend to be covered up by clothing, as they are considered a private endeavour, not to be shared with strangers.

The Yakuza tradition dates back to the era of the Shoguns, when criminals would be marked with crude ring tattoos signifying their status and convictions. The subsequent adoption of tattooing as a sign of belonging underlines their refusal to abide by the rules and conform to society.

Recently, Japanese tattoo masters have traveled to tattoo shows in the West and divulged the finer points of their art, books have been published on the subject, and a few western tattoo artists have actually completed much sought-after and rare apprenticeships with Japanese tattoo masters.

Kanji Tattoos

Kanji scirpt tattoos are becoming increasing popular with Westerners. Kanji is one of the writing systems in Japan, in which abstract symbols are used to communicate. I must note that Kanji script tattoos are not what we would call traditional Japanese tattoos. While I have seen hundreds of Westerners with Kanji tattoos, I have never meet a Japanese who has had one. Most Japanese find it amazing and quite add with the westerns fascination of Kanji.

However, to the Western eye Kanji have mystic and a natural beauty. If you decide to get a Kanji tattoo then you want to make sure you get what you want. I have seen several Kanji fail tattoos over the years. I met on man who though he had the kanji “Samurai” tattooed on his arm when it was in fact “ambassador”. On an other occasion, I saw a man with a Kanji tattoo on his foreman meaning “family”. The problem was, while it is translated to family in most dictionaries, the symbol actually relates to things done at home like “house work” or “home tutor”.

If you are wanting to get a Kanji tattoo and need an accurate translation of a word then I recommend you purchase Design For You – Japanese Symbols Takanori Tomita, a Japanese Translator specializing in translating and designing Japanese symbols. If you are looking for traditional Japanese tattoo designs the I recommend you check Tattoo Me Now.