The Japanese have been master tattooists since around 5,000 BC. It was thought that the markings held religious or magical powers. Whether you choose a dragon, fish, cherry flowers or any number of animal or flower motifs the chances are that these ideas were first thought of and tattooed in Japan many thousands of years ago.
Of course tattooing in Japan wasn’t always popular, and for a time tattoos were thought to only be worn by outcasts and criminals. While this applied to the mainstream Japanese people, the Ainu tribe who lived on the northernmost island of Japan continues the ritual, believing that it made their people more beautiful.
When tattooing ceased to be a form of punishment in the 17th century it once again became popular in Japan. Of course criminals who already had tattoos were first in line to get their mark converted into something more attractive. Those who fought fire were also known to get a few water tattoos on their bodies to protect them.
Tattoo artists in Japan trained and studied very hard to learn their skills, the least of which was how to interpret all the signs and symbols of tattoo design to ensure that every component within a tattoo worked together harmoniously.
While tattoos in Japan have become more and more popular over time, especially once they became legal after WWII, it is still considered unacceptable to show your tattoo off in public.
Those who are interested in Japanese tattoos may want to further research Kanji, which is one of the three scripts that form the Japanese language. These beautiful, calligraphy-style characters each tell their own story and have their own meaning.
