Japanese Tattoo Designs
Japanese tattoos have a long history stretching back to 10,000 BCE. From the very beginning, Japanese tattoo designs have been large and elaborate. Women of the Ainu tribe would tattoo themselves to resemble their goddess so disease-causing demons would be frightened away, thinking they were the goddess herself.
Between 300 BC and 300 AD, tattoos in Japan were used to express spiritual and social status. Beginning in 300 AD, tattoos were used to mark criminals. This process was called bokkei. In 1870, Japan was the last country to stop the practice of tattooing criminals.
In the process of trying to cover up these marks, the art of decorative tattoos were born.
During the Edo period (the 1800s) tattoos were a very popular way to express art and culture in Japan. Wood block artists became tattoo artists, and used some of the same tools to create their Japanese tattoo designs. Some designs were so elaborate that they were not complete until a couple joined hands.
Around 1870, the government outlawed tattooing in order to make a good impression upon the west, and it remained only as an underground practice, catering to foreigners who loved the look of the traditional Japanese tattoos. Tattoos came to be associated with criminality.
In 1945, the occupying forces legalized tattooing again, but it didn’t catch on easily due to the association tattoos had with criminals at this time.
Today, tattoos are more popular with the younger generation in Japan. Many of them prefer American tattoos like anchors, hearts and roses, and tribal tattoos. More women are into them than men. These tattoos can be completed in a single sitting, unlike the traditional Japanese irezumi (tattoo) that often required many sittings to complete.
Traditional Japanese tattooing is still done the old fashioned way without electric tattoo guns.
Japanese tattoos often depict mythological creatures like the phoenix and the dragon.
The phoenix symbolizes the female force, the element fire, fidelity and justice. The dragon symbolizes the element of wood, the male force and protection.
Animals are also very popular subjects. It is common to see snakes, tigers, butterflies, birds, octopus, rabbits, wolves and frogs. Plants like bamboo, maple leaves and cherry blossoms are also popular choices. Buddhas, geishas, and samurai are frequently the subject of Japanese tattoo designs, as are popular anime characters and kanji characters.
Article Image by Okinawa Soba via Flickr
More Tattoo Information…
- Koi Fish Tattoos – Koi fish tattoos are popular in both Japan and China. The colorful koi or carp have a lot of symbol
- Japanese Kanji Tattoos – Japanese Kanji tattoos are very popular. Just like the Japanese are fond of wearing English express
Tags: japanese tattoo history, japanese tattooing, japansese tattoos
