Blog #3 Japanese Traditional Tattoos
OCTOBER 9th, 2023 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Welcome back! In this post I'll be covering traditional Japanese tattoos.
Traditional Japanese tattoos have a rich and complicated history as tattoos themselves were illegal between 1936-1946. However tattooing in Japan dates back to approximately 10,000 BC during the Jomon or Paleolithic period. It was during the Kofun period, 300-600 AD when tattoos gained negative connotations, tattoo marks were now placed on criminals as a punishment rather than a symbol of status.
People with tattoos were regarded as outsiders and later on associated with the Yakuza, a crime game dating back to the 1600s who notoriously pledge their allgence with full body markings. While tattoos are now more common, this stigma still exist today, anyone with tattoos can not use public swimming pools, hot springs, beaches and specific gyms if not covered up.
Despite the stigma, traditional Japanese tattoos are beautiful works of art. The artwork is characterized by boldness, as the tattoo is clearly depicted leaving no room for ambiguity. High contrast, strong line work and dynamic positions are very important to ensure this emphasis.
The background of Japanese tattoos is always black and grey, with the foreground having a stark contrast from this in either bright color or negative space. Traditional background elements are wind bars, clouds, wind serials, water, finger waves and rocks.
Shown below is the striking contrast between the background and foreground.
(First Class Tattoos, The Complete Guide to Japanese Traditional Tattoos.)
Japanese dragons are common to tattoos, representing bravery, wisdom and strength. In comparison the Chinese dragons, Japanese dragons have three claws as opposed to five. Koi fish are another symbol used to showcase strength, it is believed schools of koi swam up to a waterfall called the Dragon's Gate, and those who were perseverant enough to leap to the top were rewarded by the Gods and turned into dragons.
Japanese mask are also portrayed with tattoos such as the Hannya and the Oni. The Hannya was used in theater shows to represent a women's emotional turmoil from jealousy and sadness to bitter resentment, feelings induced from the deceit of her male lover. This mask is most common on large scale back tattoos similar to placement of the Oni, red demonic beings tattooed as masks or full body creatures. Oni tattoos are seen as a way to ward of evil and protect oneself from unseen forces.
Below is Oni tattoos as a mask and full body.
(Tattmag, The Different Meanings of Oni Tattoos.)
Fun Fact: There are multiple ways to say tattoo in Japanese: "tattoo, irezumi, shisei and hormone."
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