Japanese Tattoo Yakuza
The history of japanese yakuza tattoo culture or more popularly known as irezumi is full of sacred art that made its impact on the whole world.
Japanese tattoo yakuza. This tattoo would distinguish them from common civilians and give a heads up about their true identity to. The tattoo culture of the yakuza evolved in protest to this branding. Explore the legendary yakuza influence on the world of ink and society at large and learn about irezumi popular motifs and different types of japanese pieces. 12 000 years of irezumi tattoos the earliest hints of tattoos in japan come from the remains of people who died in the paleolithic period.
For instance wives girlfriends and mistresses of yakuza members obtain irezumi in order to prove their loyalty to the yakuza. Yakuza tattoos are a source of fascination for many tattoo lovers. What is the meaning of the yakuza tattoo. In medieval times the japanese king would punish the prisoners by giving them a bokkei tattoo.
But an irezumi isn t just a yakuza tattoo it s the mark of a complex japanese tradition that has been a part of the nation s history for some 12 000 years. The meaning of yakuza tattoos are usually related to imagery and symbolism in japanese art culture and religion. The high level of secrecy surrounding the tattoos combined with the painful method of hand poking the designs and the association with the japanese underworld gives yakuza tattoo art a mysterious appeal. In the past it was obligatory in many yakuza clans for members to get tattoos.
Who are the yakuza. In case they died and. Japanese samurai also obtained yakuza tattoos as a form of identification. The full body suit tattoo in particular is a product of yakuza culture.