By most accounts, tattooing in Japan may have begun as early as 500BC. During an archaeological excavation in 1977 a drawing of clay figures was discovered that clearly showed people who had facial tattoos. The purpose of the tattoos is quite varied. It’s believed that tattoos decorated the faces and bodies of divers and were used to protect them against large fish while they were in the water. It’s also believed that tattoos were used to ward off evil spirits. Additionally, tattoos were sometimes used as a way to punish and mark individuals that had broken tribal customs and traditions.

Regardless, most scholars agree that Japanese tattoos were originally used for decorative purposes and to distinguish the different social ranks of different individuals.

Japanese Tattoo Practices: Let’s Start at the Beginning

In 700BC Japanese and Chinese nobles disapproved of tattooing for decorative purposes because they believed altering the skin was disrespectful of their Confucian beliefs. They believed that individuals should not change the bodies they were born with and that doing so lowered their social status in the community. In ancient Japan the social community was very important. Tattooing someone was a very powerful form of punishment and was primarily used as a way to mark criminals. For example, criminals that were found guilty of breaking the law were tattooed on the forehead with the symbol of the dog after their 3^rd offense. In some cases the left shoulder was tattooed with a circle, the right arm was marked with a double line, or the upper arm was marked with a double bar.

In addition to being placed on criminals, tattoos were also placed individuals from the lower classes. For example, people who assisted criminals, gravediggers, and executioners were tattooed. Also, people who engaged in unsavory work like tanners and slaughterers were tattooed but they were primarily tattooed as a way to identify and keep track of them.

As for women, they were sometimes tattooed with geometrical or abstract designs on their arms and legs. They were also tattooed with images of moustaches. The reasoning behind this practice was that the arms and legs work for the husband and the lips speak for him. At one point, tattooing the lips of women was very much in vogue and linked to one’s salvation after death.

Japanese Tattoos in the 1700’s

By the 1700’s tattooing was no longer solely linked to criminals or violent offenses. This was in part due to the fact that some criminals began hiding their tattoos by having them covered with more decorative tattoos. It was during this period that decorative tattoos became popular. Additionally, people began getting dedication tattoos on their bodies. It was common for prostitutes to get the names of their best clients tattooed on their inner arms or to have dots on their left elbows that signified their lovers’ age. Additionally, lovers pledged their undying love for one another with tattoos. In some cases the last stroke of the person’s name was lengthened to signify the strength of love felt by the wearer.

This same period saw the rise in popularity of religious tattoos. People began to have prayers and Buddhist incantations tattooed onto their bodies. Surprisingly enough, tattooing in general was banned by the government soon thereafter. However, people rebelled by getting tattoos placed in conspicuous areas of the body. Placing designs on the thigh or near the shoulder were popular choices.

Tattooing really grew in popularity in the period between 1750 and 1800. This is in part due to a popular book called The Water Margin which focused on an outlaw and his followers. In the book, the “hero” rebelled against the establishment and was heavily tattooed. Because the romanticism surrounding the lifestyle described in the book appealed to so many people in Japan several other books of this type were written and illustrated with woodblock prints. Interestingly enough, many of today’s Japanese tattoo designs (called irezumi) either come from these books or are based on designs found within the books.

Japanese Tattoos in the 1800’s

By 1868 the prohibition on tattoos was strengthened because it was believed that tourists from the West would disapprove of the practice. As a result, the government ordered many of the tattoo design books to be burned. However, many Westerners liked Japanese tattoos and showed an appreciation for the art form by getting the designs placed on their bodies. The most famous person to get a tattoo during this period was King George of England, who had a design of a dragon applied to his arm while on a visit.

Tattooing remained outlawed in Japan for everyone except foreigners until 1945. However, underground tattoo shops remained active the entire time.

Modern Day Japanese Tattoos

In 1945 an American tattoo artist Norman Keith Collins traveled to Japan and began incorporating scenes that included dragons and asian designs in his tattoos. He is also credited with introducing American tattoo techniques to Japan by trading needles and tattoo machines for Japanese designs and advice on application techniques.

It is argued that perhaps the Western influence on tattoos was more a curse than a blessing because it altered a traditional art form but it should be noted that although Japan now has thousands of tattoo shops that use American techniques many of the practices and designs found in Japanese tattoo studios today stay true to the old tradition.