Do you want to get a tattoo in Japanese but don’t know how to choose the ideogram? Have you ever wondered what Japanese people think about tattoos? How do you write tattoo in Japanese? What are the most commonly used ideograms in tattoos?
Did the Yakuza result in prejudice against tattoos in Japan? How does Japan view tattoos? In this article, we will answer these and other questions, as well as explore various curiosities involving tattoos.
Perhaps you have heard that in Japan, tattoos are viewed negatively. Indeed, because of the Yakuza, the Japanese mafia, there is still some apprehension when it comes to tattoos.
Even some gyms, water parks, onsens, and public pools do not allow access to people with tattoos. Is all this because of the Yakuza? Remembering that this article is quite extensive and varied, we recommend using the summary below:
Table of Contents
How do you write tattoo in Japanese?
Tattoo in Japanese is written irezumi [入れ墨], which literally means to insert ink. It can also be pronounced and written as tattoo [タトゥー], derived from English and other Western languages. Tattoos in Japan are such an ancient art that dates back even before Christ in the Jomon period.
Another rarely used alternative word to refer to tattoos is sassei [箚青]. Traditional Japanese tattoos can be called gei [黥], shisei [刺青], or bunshin [文身].
There are some Japanese words related to tattoos that I would like to share:
- Kurikaramonmon [倶利迦羅紋紋] – Tattoo of a dragon wrapped in flames and swallowing the tip of a vertical sword;
- Horu [彫る] – To carve; to make a tattoo;
- Irebokuro [入れぼくろ] – Fake tattoo; Makeup;
- Irezumishi [刺青師] – Tattoo artist;
- Peepaatatoo [ペーパータトゥー] – Fake tattoo; Tattoo sticker;
- Geimen [黥面] – Facial tattoo;
- Asaku [黥く] – To tattoo a criminal around the eye;
The history of tattoos in Japan
In the past, the Japanese used tattoos for spiritual expression or body decoration, which even gained a status meaning. During the Edo Period (1603-1868), they began to be used as punishment for prisoners to mark them for the crimes they committed, thus aiding in identification and serving as a reminder for criminals.
There is even an ancient tattoo art called tebori, which used a very painful process of piercing the dermis (the second layer of skin) with bamboo rods and several needles at the tip. Some received tattoos on their own faces called mesaku [黥]. China also used similar punishments called bokukei [墨刑].
This punishment meant that marks or ideograms in visible places on the body served as a warning to the population, resulting in a permanent exclusion from society. For some prisoners, being tattooed was the worst punishment, far worse than imprisonment or torture.
Perhaps this is one of the main reasons why tattoos in Japan are viewed negatively. Even today, although no one is tattooed for committing crimes anymore, some still view tattooed individuals as dangerous. Probably due to the prohibition during the Meiji era.
During the Meiji Era, tattoos were officially prohibited (1872 to 1948)
Did the Yakuza spread the fear of tattoos in Japan?
By the mid-18th century, Japan had already stopped associating tattoos with crimes, yet the community still viewed tattooed individuals as criminals. For this reason, tattoos as ornaments became popular among the Yakuza, allowing criminals to hide their markings with more beautiful images, usually depicting nature, dragons, flowers, lightning, waves, and animals.
However, Japanese criminals did not use tattoos just to cover old markings; the Yakuza adopted famous tattoos to show the loyalty and organization of their members, as well as strength and courage. Due to the Yakuza, Japanese people again developed prejudice against tattoos that persists to this day. Still, many Japanese view these tattoos, especially those from Japanese gangs, as beautiful works of art.
The Yakuza is an increasingly less visible organization in the Japanese population; still, it is linked to prostitution, drugs, gambling, and extortion. So much so that nowadays, some Yakuza members wear suits to avoid displaying their tattoos in public. The question remains: What do the tattoos of the Yakuza have to do with popular tattoos?
Does Japan not accept any type of tattoo?
When seeing Yakuza tattoos in Japan, it is obvious to identify criminals from people who have simple tattoos on some part of their body. Still, in order to follow rules imposed by certain places, many end up facing problems or embarrassment just for having a small tattoo on their arm or body.
Even Japanese people do not view the tattoos of Yakuza members as something horrible or frightening; they can understand the magnitude and art expressed in these tattoos.
The prohibition of tattoos during the Meiji era was to avoid embarrassment with Westerners, but the effect was the opposite, and many Easterners fell in love with Japanese tattoos.
Gradually, Japan is losing this stigma related to tattoos. There are already more than 3000 legalized studios compared to less than 300 in the 90s. Nowadays, Japanese people are quite open to this type of art.
Japan is predominantly made up of elderly and traditional people, who likely do not like tattoos. Even in Brazil, this stigma exists; many elderly people share the same mindset.
Will I face prejudice because of my tattoo in Japan?
If you are worried about facing prejudice in Japan because of a tattoo, rest assured. Most of these places are probably managed by some traditional elderly person. There are few, so there is no need to worry.
Japanese people care little about others’ lives; some walk around in overalls, others wear extravagant clothes, dye their hair or skin. Are you really going to worry about having a small tattoo?
Of course, unfortunately, there will be places you cannot access because of tattoos, just as there are some places exclusive to Japanese people. There is no problem with that; these places are stuck in time, just ignore them.
The dangers of getting a tattoo in Japanese
Stepping away from the idea of how Japan views tattoos, let’s now talk a bit about the famous tattoos of Japanese and Chinese ideograms that people tend to get. Usually, they take a beautiful and descriptive word or adjective.
Before wanting to get a tattoo in Japanese, you need to think about the dangers. Permanently engraving a language on your skin that you cannot read is a dangerous proposition. A good part of these tattoos leaves Japanese people scratching their heads.
Most Japanese kanjis have multiple meanings (even more than 20). Some meanings are quite obscure. If you choose a tattoo with a kanji because of its obscure meaning, it could be an embarrassing mistake.
You might even choose the correct ideogram, but its meaning may not be what people will think. For example, the ideogram for peace may be [安], but many will think it says cheap [安い].
Even celebrities make mistakes; the famous Britney Spears got a tattoo with the ideogram [変] intending to mean something mysterious, but people only see something strange and unusual. The ideogram has a negative connotation, even used to write words like hentai [変態].
Some believe that combining ideograms to form the intended word can avoid these problems, but that doesn’t always happen… Some words can also be confusing if not applied in context.
For example, someone tattoos [西原] thinking it means wild west. They are not wrong, but Japanese people will read it as a common surname, Nishihara. It’s like tattooing Henrique or Oliveira on your arm. It’s not just with names; Japanese words can also have multiple meanings.
Care when getting a tattoo in Japanese
It’s not just about going to any tattoo artist, showing a photo, and asking them to do the tattoo. Japanese ideograms have an order in the writing of strokes; a simple mistake can completely change the meaning of the word or make it look like just a scribble.
Some Japanese study for decades to master the art of shodo writing. Do you really think an amateur tattoo artist, even if skilled in drawing, will be able to create a tattoo with Japanese ideograms without any risk?
Be careful also with the fonts chosen on the internet; some make no sense, while others may look different when transferred from a computer to skin. Tattoos in Kanji sometimes have errors that make them completely illegible, so be cautious.
It is also worth remembering that many Japanese or Chinese ideograms are similar. Changing the order of a stroke can make you tattoo a different word on your skin. Be careful also with simplified Chinese fonts; Japanese and Chinese are different things.
Be careful not to tattoo the image mirrored or upside down; pay attention to the correct way to position the ideogram on your skin. Make it very clear to the tattoo artist how you want the tattoo to look to avoid problems and embarrassment.
If you want a tattoo in kanji, it is essential to seek advice from a trusted native Japanese speaker. Show them the design and ensure that the ideograms look professional. Ask what the words mean in different contexts.
50 Popular Ideograms for Your Tattoo
Many wish to get a tattoo in Japanese or Chinese but have no idea which ideogram to use or what their meanings are. For this, we have made a list of the main ideograms used in tattoos for you to get inspired.
- Spirit (Tamashii)
- Ambition (Yabou)
- Friendship (Yuujou)
- Love (Ai)
- Rainbow (Niji)
- Beauty (Bi)
- Bravery (Yuukan)
- Buddhism (Bukkyou)
- Courage (Yuuki)
- Belief (Shinnen)
- Desire (Yokubou)
- God (Kami)
- Dragon (Ryuu)
- Hope (Kibou)
- Spirit (Seishin)
- Star (Hoshi)
- Eternity (Eien)
- Happiness (Koufuku)
- Honor (Meiyo)
- Ideal (Risou)
- Enlightenment (Satori)
- Illusion (Gensou)
- Justice (Seigi)
- Loyalty (Chuujitsu)
- Legend (Densetsu)
- Freedom (Jiyuu)
- Moon (Tsuki)
- Meditation (Mokusou)
- Nature (Shizen)
- The Samurai Code (Bushidou)
- Ocean (Umi)
- Pride (Hokori)
- Passion (Jounetsu)
- Peace (Heiwa)
- Perfect (Kanzen)
- Power (Chikara)
- Promise (Yakusoku)
- Respect (Sonkei)
- Wisdom (Chie)
- Samurai
- Secret (Himitsu)
- Shogun
- Sky (Sora)
- Dream (yume)
- Success (Seikou)
- Sun (Taiyou)
- Universe (Uchuu)
- Truth (Shinjitsu)
- Victory (Shouri)
- Zen
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