What if you get a Japanese symbol tattooed?
In the traditional culture of Japan, the yakuza and the popular classes wore tattoos. It is very frowned upon and is not appreciated as much as in Western culture. Therefore, the Japanese who have one tend to hide it or cover it up.
In addition, many public establishments (such as bathrooms) prohibit access to tattooed people.
Originally, the tattoo was used as a method of chastising to mark prisoners for life. That is why we can understand that it has such a bad reputation in Japanese popular culture. They were banned during the Meiji era and reauthorized by the government after the war. Even so, his bad reputation is still present.
The traditional tattoo is called irezumi. It is recognized by the particular lines and its original shapes.
Of course, if you are considering the idea of getting an irezumi , keep in mind that you will need to invest a lot of time and money. These types of tattoos (especially the larger ones) can cost thousands of euros and many, many tattoo sessions. Feel free to find a good tattoo artist who is proficient in this Japanese tattoo style .
The technique in addition to this style of tattoo is more painful than those used in the West, since it is done in a traditional way with bamboo.
You don’t have to travel to Japan to get your whole body tattooed, like Michael Scofield.
The most popular motifs and designs have a specific meaning related to Japanese mythology or superstition:
The carp represents courage.
The cherry blossoms symbolize the ephemeral side of life.
The chrysanthemum is a symbol of determination.
The eye jump represents wealth.
The dragon is related to generosity and wisdom.
The mask of the demon Oni serves as protection.
The lotus is a symbol of knowledge and understanding.
The snake fights disease.
The phoenix symbolizes immortality and rebirth.
The geisha is a symbol of elegance and beauty.
The samurai represents honor and loyalty.
The tiger attracts longevity and strength.
The baku is a legendary creature that feeds on nightmares. It is a symbol of protection against spirits.
You can also get a kanji tattooed , a character from Japanese calligraphy. But research its meaning well before taking the plunge! What if you get a Japanese symbol tattooed?