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20th Century In 1936, when fighting broke out in China, almost all the men were drafted into the army. People with tattoos were thought to be discipline problems, so they weren’t drafted and the government passed a law against tattooing.
19th Century Early Japanese tattooingBy 1867, the last of the Tokugawa shoguns was deposed and an emperor was restored to power. The laws against tattooing were strictly enforced because the new rulers feared that Japanese customs would seem barbaric and ridiculous to Westerners. Ironically, under the new laws Japanese tattoo artists were allowed to tattoo foreigners but not Japanese.
The best tattoo masters established studios in Yokohama and did a lot of business tattooing foreign sailors. Their skills were so great that they attracted a number of very distinguished clients including the Duke of York (Later King George V), the Czarevich of Russia (Later Czar Nicholas II), and other European dignitaries.Japanese Ikezumi skinThe Japanese tattoo masters also continued to tattoo Japanese clients illegally, but after the middle of the 19th century, their themes and techniques remained unchanged.
After that the tattooists had to work in secret. After WWII, General MacArthur liberalized the Japanese laws, and tattooing became legal again. But the tattoo artists continued to work privately by appointment, and this tradition continues today.
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History of Irezumi Like much of Japan’s art, tattooing can be traced back centuries. The earliest indication of the body art phenomenon can be found on the seemingly tattooed faces of clay figurines from 5000 BCE. Another ancient mention of these markings is evident in Wei Chih, a Chinese chronicle from the 3rd century. The telling text reveals that, at the time,
“men young and old, all tattoo their faces and decorate their bodies with designs.” In the 7th century, however, the art form took a turn. At this point, people began to view tattoos unfavorably. By 720 CE, they were even used as a form of branding and punishment for prisoners, courtesans, and criminals.This practice would last for over 1,000 years.
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FIGURES FROM MYTHOLOGY In addition to realistic people, folkloric figures are also popular tattoo choices. Prevalent mythological subjects include Tengu (ghosts), Oni (demons or troll-like creatures), and deities from both Buddhist and Shinto religions. Dragons are also traditionally found in Irezumi. Often featuring the head of a camel, the torso of a snake, fish scales, and bird talons, these creatures can symbolize a myriad of ideas.
FLOWERS Unsurprisingly, sakura (or cherry blossoms) remain the most popular floral motif found in Japanese tattoos. On top of its beautiful pale pink petals, this flower is preferred for its symbolic meaning, as these short-lived flowers often symbolize ephemerality. Lotus flowers, peonies, and Chrysanthemums are also favored for their alluring aesthetic and prevalence in Japan.
Major Motifs In terms of subject matter, Japanese tattoos often showcase the culture’s reverence for nature namely, animals and flowers. Additionally, much like the Ukiyo-e prints that have inspired Japanese tattoos, figures and portraits are also frequently featured in traditional tattoos.
ANIMALS Many tattoos feature animals associated with strength, courage, and protection like lions and tigers. Koi are historically popular subjects, too, as they represent luck, success and good fortune.
PEOPLE Both realistic and mythological figures are often featured in Japanese tattoos. Portraits of people rooted in realism often include warriors and geishas, whose likenesses were favored for their expressive faces and bright colors, respectively. Additionally, other heroic figures, as well as characters from literature, often appear in Irezumi designs.
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THE HISTORY OF TEBORI Rich Japanese Tradition Tebori has a rich history and tradition in Japan and up until the last 40 years or so all tattooing was done by hand in Japan, from bodysuit to small one-point flower and much of it still is. Most of the traditional artists today in Japan still make all their tattoos by hand when it comes to colouring and black shading while utilising modern machines for making clean solid lines. While there are a few dedicated artisans that also
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create their lines by hand it is not often seen and seems to be a dying art unfortunately. The Japanese tradition of hand poke tebori tattooing is associated with the Japanese craft of woodblock carving and woodblock printing as craftsmen of both tattooing and carving are called ‘Horishi’, or carvers. Tebori means to ‘hand carve’, the skin being tattooed not unlike a wood block in preparation for making a print.
Less Pain, Less Bleeding and quicker to heal Sometimes the old ways are the best ways and Tebori is one example of that. Many people perceive tebori to be more a painful and a slower tattooing process compared to modern machines but the opposite is actually true. Hand poke work in the tebori style is much less painful, causes less bleeding and is less traumatic to the skin than machines and the tattoos done in this fashion tend to heal quicker and with less scabbing.
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ONI masks The oni masks are a symbol of protection for those who believe in the spiritual world. Oni Tattoos means the devil’s ability to punish any evil or unjust act. In other words, the tattoo is a representation of evil and good fighting. The demonic nature of tattoos makes it difficult for you to determine what you want to portray, especially if you are unfamiliar with tattoos. If you’re wearing a mask of these humanoid demons, it means you’ve adopted their demonic character. The mask can also be a sign of growing from strength to strength or beyond humanity.
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TENGU MASKS Tengu has roots in China and Japan, religion and folklore, Buddhism and Shintoism, theatre and festivals. Tengu was described in a Chinese text as far back as 1791. In literature, it is described as a shooting star or comet with dog like features and a beak. It was said that, wherever the Tengu lands, it makes a noise like thunder and brings war to the area. It is also mentioned in the Japanese Nihon Shoki, a collection of myths and origin stories. The book begins with a creation myth, and in chapter 23 a Buddhist priest spots a shooting star in the sky. The star is so large, he refers to it as a “heavenly dog.” Not long after the Tengu sighting, a military uprising takes place. Because of its flight abilities, ,Tengu has also been seen as a bird of prey..In some early depictions, Tengu has a crow’s beak rather than the long red nose it appears with today. In a typical Tengu mask tattoo, the image will be a red face with black facial hair and a slightly menacing grin.
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geisha art Geisha girls with thick white chalk, bold red lipstick, red and black eyes, faces that conceal all emotions are a special and mysterious world for many people. Geishaman of art has entered the art of tattooing as a flawless symbol. Geisha along with Samurai seem to hold all the quintessence of Japanese culture. Geisha carry the core values of ​​ sophistication.
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GENDER IS NOT A REASON AGAINSTS YOU YOUR BODY, YOUR ART... NEVER MIND THEIR JUDGMENT
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samurai art According to ancient legend Samurai also has another name is Bushi this is the name given to the Japanese warriors in ancient times. These warriors were made up of the ruling military class and were also the highest social class during the Edo period. The meaning of the Samurai tattoo is to represent the fairness, courage, kindness, respect, honor and loyalty of the gentleman. Because the Samurai were defenders of the old Edo period. Very well respected
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fLOWER ART Flower tattoos in Japan have many meanings and there are also many designs depending on the type of flower. The lotus symbolizes understanding, knowledge, life, and enlightenment. The cherry blossoms are very beautiful, but do not bloom for long and will fall off by a gentle breeze, thus symbolizing the inevitability of death.
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Daruma art Daruma is a traditional Japanese doll, modeled after Bodhidharma, the founder of Zen Buddhism. These dolls are usually made of wood, round, painted red, do not have limbs, face with empty eyes and large black mustache. Those who tattoo these tattoos on their body wishing to have luck and convenience in both work and life. At the same time helping them to eliminate all disasters, sickness and protect themselves, threatening evil spirits and evil forces away from Daruma symbol of resilience, no matter how many times they stumble, they will not yield, always stand up to face challenges. Never give up to fate. Daruma is also used to pray luck to the owner
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ART ALWAYS APPEARS WHEREVER YOU WANT EVEN YOUR BODY
TELL YOUR
STORY THROUGH
THE body