The Japanese word for tattoo is irezumi which means to insert ink. It also has several synonyms, including bunching, she, and get.
Traditional irezumi is done by specialized tattoo artists called Hiroshi. They can take years to complete and are expensive.
During the Edo period, irezumi was used as punishment for thieves and murderers. Their tattoos were positioned where the crime occurred.
Oni Masks
The samurai were the military nobility of medieval Japan. They followed a strict code of honor, and tattoos that depicted their warrior gear symbolized courage, strength, and dedication to the path of righteousness.
These tats also served as symbols of protection in the spiritual world to ward off evil spirits and bad luck. It is why samurai are often depicted with oni masks, especially in ukiyo-e prints.
A traditional Japanese back tattoo is called a sodegata. It covers the entire back from the shoulders to the hips and can be decorated with various images. Some popular designs include dragons, koi fish, and Buddhist imagery. Others are based on realism, including portraits of warriors and geisha. Folklore and mythological figures are also common in sodegata designs. These include Tengu (ghosts), oni (demons or troll-like creatures), and deities from the Shinto and Buddhist religions.
Dragons
Today, tattoos are considered a normal part of life and widely accepted. However, this wasn’t always the case. Japanese tattoos (called Horimono) were once associated with criminals and gangsters. They were even used as a punishment to brand criminals and prevent them from joining their families, friends, and community.
Despite this unsavory past, Japanese tattoos eventually became famous. It was due to the vibrant Ukiyo-e woodblock prints and their association with lower classes like laborers, peasants, and gang members. As Japan began opening up to the outside world, the government banned Horimono, fearing it would send a brutal image of their country to foreigners.
The significance of dragons within traditional Japanese culture is strength, power, courage, protection, wealth, and good luck. The colors that represent these qualities vary, with white representing purity and truth, pink representing feminity, and red symbolizing love, bravery, and strength. Other symbols commonly seen in Japanese tattoos include koi fish and lions.
Koi Fish
Koi fish are a common tattoo choice in Japanese culture because they represent strength, courage, and perseverance. They are also a famous symbol of success and prosperity. They are often seen swimming upstream against the current of a river, which can mean overcoming obstacles or reaching goals.
A koi tattoo is an excellent choice for men who want to show their strength and tenacity. They can be paired with dragons, which symbolize power and good fortune. Koi tattoos can also be surrounded by cherry blossoms, peonies, and Chrysanthemums, representing rebirth and purity.
Kintaro, a famous mythical samurai, is often paired with koi because of his story about battling and defeating one. Large-scale sleeve tattoos featuring koi and Kintaro are perfect for men who want to be reminded of their resilience and persistence in the face of adversity. These tattoos can be complemented with a lotus flower, representing rebirth and new beginnings.
Cranes
The Japanese believe that cranes carry the power to grant wishes and answer prayers. The crane is also known for its longevity and is considered to embody good fortune. The birds are monogamous, making them a symbol of loyalty and permanence.
In the early 1950s, Japanese tattooing was in its infancy. However, when Nakano Horihide () visited Senso-ji (), he encountered American soldiers with tattoos. He was fascinated by their work and wrote to several legendary tattoo artists asking to be their apprentice.
In Shinto and Buddhist art, lions are often portrayed as symbols of strength and protection. They are typically shown with one paw raised in attack position as a sign of warning. While they are performed as attacking ogres in the Western world, they are grouped with “yokai” in Japanese folklore. It is because they are believed to protect temples and villages. They are a symbol of perseverance, strength, and determination.
