Japanese Traditional

- YouTube video included below

Irezumi (入れ墨, "inserting ink") is the Japanese word for tattoo, and refers to a distinctive style of Japanese tattooing, though it is also used as a blanket term to describe a number of tattoo styles originating in Japan. The most predominant of which is Tebori, which will be the main focus of this Blog post to keep it short and sweet.

Te- means “hand” and -bori means “to carve”

Tebori Tattooing (depicted below) dates back to Edo period (1603-1868), a period of time characterized by economic growth, strict social order, isolationist foreign policies, a stable population, "no more wars", and popular enjoyment of arts and culture throughout Japan.

Tebori is the practise of giving Tattoos by hand using wooden handles and metal needles attached via silk thread.

Japanese Tattoos are characterized by their symbolization of certain images, for example:

Dragon - Power, Strength, Wisdom

Tiger - Courage and Strength

Koi Fish - Bravery and Success

Oni Masks - Protection from the Spiritual World

Following the Edo period, the Japanese government, wishing to protect its image and make a good first impression in the face of its new international status, outlawed tattooing.

Soon after the Criminal underworld adopted Tattooing as apart of its culture, further separating mainstream Japan from Tattoo's.

Unlike the western world were Tattoo's continue to grow in popularity. To this day Tattoo's in Japan are frowned upon and highly taboo, based on the beliefs than any citizen with a Tattoo is a member of the Yakuza (Japanese mafia).

In order to stay discrete, members of the Yakuza opt for certain areas of their body to be missed, so as to be able to still wear shorts and an open suit jacket without being identified. Hence their is often a gap in the middle of the torso, the tattoo only covers half the forearm and doesn't go beyond the knee.

Due to the illegality of Japanese tattooing, many artists practicing in Japan had been pushed underground, and their studios were often difficult to find. However, in September 2020 for the first time since the Edo period Japanese artists are able to work without a medical license. The Japanese Supreme Court has acknowledged tattooing as an art rather than a medical procedure. However, while tattoos may now not be regarded as illegal, its links with crime in Japan will still remain as the majority of Japanese society will continue to connect them the Yakuza.

Check out this video on Japanese Traditional by Inked below