Traditional Japanese Tattoo Style
Japanese traditional tattoos are known as Irezumi. These tattoos originated in the Edo period, although they were more popular among the working class in Japan. Since tattoos were used from 1720 onwards in Japan as a kind of branding for criminals, tattoos acquired a very negative connotation.
They were also often associated with the Japanese mafia. Tattoos were even completely banned in Japan until 1948.
The motifs of Japanese tattoos often come from mythology, legends, symbolism or the history of the country. In addition to dragons or demons, for example, you will find cherry blossoms, which are considered a symbol of beauty or transience.
A dark trend developed at the end of the 19th century, when horror stories became more and more popular in Japan. Thus, more bloody and brutal motifs were added, such as chopped-off heads, called namakubi. But erotic and explicitly sexual motifs, called shunga, also became part of Japanese tattoo art.
Traditional Japanese tattoo motifs are as diverse as Japanese art and history. Stylistically, Japanese tattoos are characterised, above all, by clear colours and rich details. Likewise, this style is particularly suitable for larger areas. That is why large projects such as sleeves, front pieces, back pieces or complete bodysuits are often included in the Japanese style.
Even today, tattoos are still stigmatised in Japan and associated with criminality. But the trend is actually going in the other direction: Fewer and fewer gang members are getting tattoos because they don't want to attract attention. And so, the connection between the criminal milieu and tattoos is also gradually dissolving.
