Tattoo Taboo in Japan

A research project for Senior Seminar, about how the Japan Times portrays tattoos and tattoo culture.

Japanese tattoo artist Horiyoshi III works on a shoulder of a Japanese housewife during a demonstration in Tokyo. Japanese tattoo artist Horiyoshi III works on a shoulder of a Japanese housewife during a demonstration at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Japan in Tokyo May 25, 2005. Tattoo is gaining popularity as a mark of fashion in Japan. REUTERS/Yuriko Nakao

The research question I posed was, to what extent has the perception of tattoos changed in Japanese media, such as the Japan Times. Tattoos have a long history in Japan, dating all the way back to the Jomon Period (10,500 B.C. – 300 B.C.). However, much of history behind tattoos have been tied to criminality because criminals were often branded with tattoos. In more recent years, members of the Yakuza, the Japanese Mafia, were known to get tattoos for various reasons, such as to show which clan they’re part of. With how Yakuza were depicted in the media, much of the public began to fear them and in order to prohibit members from entering establishments, places such as gyms, pools, beaches, and Onsen banned those with tattoos from entering, in hopes of keeping Yakuza members out. While tattoos are not banned in Japan, in order to become a tattoo artist, you have to have a medical license as it’s seen as a medical procedure. While that hasn’t stopped many artists from tattooing without one, they run the risk of being raided by the police and fined for tattooing without a license. In 2015 a tattoo artist, Taiki Masuda, had his shop raided in Osaka and was fined 300,000 yen for tattooing without having a medical license. He later appealed but would be denied. In 2020 the Supreme Court in Japan ruled that you no longer needed a medical license to tattoo. Some Onsen’s have been allowing more guests to enjoy their hot springs, as there has been a rise in tourism. Along with the 2019 Rugby World Cup and the 2021 Summer Olympics, people want foreigners to enjoy as much of Japan as they can. I wanted to see how this would have been portrayed in media outlets, such as the Japan Times.

Taishi Masuda holding a Save Tattooing in Japan sign

To prepare for my research, I looked at five peer-reviewed sources from the Academic Search Premier database, which showed an in-depth history and cultural analysis of tattoos in Japan, and around the world. While there was a time when the rest of the world had similar views to Japan, many other places have since changed their views, Japan has stayed the same. Although it seems Japan wants to seem more open to tattooed foreigners, some places are willing to ease their restrictions. There was a time in which warriors in Japan got tattooed, but for a while it was mainly Yakuza and younger generations. However, due to social conditions, there’s a strong negative view on tattoos, to the point where many establishments have banned those with tattoos from entering. Because of these restrictions, cost, pain and negative views from the media, tattoos among Yakuza members have become less popular. However, tattoos have since gained popularity with younger generations. Despite it’s ties to criminality, many traditional tattoos are seen depicting Japanese mythology and folklore. Today, younger generations are more influenced by the way Western media portrays tattoos, such as in music and fashion. Traditional Japanese tattoos are often on a much bigger scale, covering the entirety of ones back, arms, and/or legs, where as more American style can act as a smaller tattoo that can either standalone or more can be added on. Despite this, many people still look down on tattoos, with many artists admitting to getting bad looks from people. After his shop was raided, Masuda along with many other tattoo artists in Japan, started the ‘Save Tattooing in Japan’ organization. They collected over 100,000 signatures, to show that tattoo artists should not be required to have a medical license. Masuda would be found guilty in 2017, but after appealing the Osaka High Court ruled in his favor, mentioning that tattoos were a form of art and therefore should not need a medical license. The case would proceed to the Supreme Court of Japan, where it was ruled you no longer needed a license.

I looked at articles from 27 articles from published on the Japan Times website, from 2015 to 2020, since all of these articles would have been published during Masuda’s raid and court rulings as well as leading up to majoring sporting events surrounding tourism, those being the 2019 Rugby World Cup and the Summer Olympics. All of the articles recorded had to have taken place in Japan and been about tattoos. I recorded which articles had references to the Yakuza/criminal activity, tourism or major sporting events (as no other big events were mentioned during this time frame), references to fashion, how tattoos are a form of art and not medicine, the history and culture of tattoos in Japan that didn’t involve criminality, and Western culture.

Results

Of the 27 articles recorded, 18 of them mentioned Yakuza or ties to criminality, 17 of them referenced tourists, foreigners, or major sporting events taking place in Japan, 9 of them mentioned that tattoos are a form of art and not a medical practice, 9 of them mentioned tattoos as a part of fashion, 8 of them mentioned the history and culture behind tattoos that didn’t have to crime, and 4 of them mentioned Western Culture.

Here are two example of articles I found. The left article is about the case with Masuda. I highlighted points about how tattoos aren’t a medical practice, but a form of art. Although it was mentioned twice, I only counted it once, since it’s the same article. The right example I have about how Onsen’s want to be more foreigner and tourist friendly, leading up to the 2019 Rugby World Cup and the Olympics. I also highlighted the portion that mentioned Yakuza and other groups.

Discussion

Before conducting my research, I had thought that there would have been more references to Western influences. While I was looking at the articles, I decided to add Fashion as a reference, because many of the articles mentioned fashion or aesthetic, without directly saying it was connected to Western influences. I had figured many of the articles would have mentioned the Yakuza or ties to criminals. However, I was surprised to see how many articles mentioned wanting traditional Japanese spaces to be more inclusive towards tourists, including those with tattoos. One of the articles I looked at, mentioned how 60% of Onsen’s denied access to tourists who had visible tattoos, in 2015. I think it’s interesting how some places talk about how they want to be more inclusive towards people with tattoos, but majority of places still don’t allow those with tattoos to use their facilities. Although there are various sites that allow people to see which places will let tattooed individuals into their place. While I think there are strides being made to accept tattoos, as a whole, Japan still has a long ways to go.

"I don’t get why the perception about tattoos are changing everywhere, but not in Japan"

Horiyoshi III

Conclusion

References

Bell, S. (1999). Tattooed: A Participant Observer’s Exploration of Meaning. The Journal of American Culture, 22(2), 53–58. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1542-734x.1999.2202_53.x

Yamada, M. (2009). Westernization and cultural resistance in tattooing practices in contemporary Japan. International Journal of Cultural Studies, 12(4), 319–338. https://doi.org/10.1177/1367877909104241

Schmid, S. (2013). Tattoos – An historical essay. Travel Medicine and Infectious Disease, 11(6), 444–447. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tmaid.2013.10.013

Rusiňáková, M. (1970, January 1). Perception of Tattoos in Contemporary Japanese Society. https://lup.lub.lu.se/student-papers/search/publication/8996945.

Moorman, Darlene N.. “The Yakuza: Organized Crime in Japan.” The Downtown Review. Vol. 7. Iss. 1 (2020) .
https://engagedscholarship.csuohio.edu/tdr/vol7/iss1/1

It seems many places and people in Japan are more willing to accept tattoos and tattooed people, but the negative stigma still holds strong. I think the rise in tourism and incoming foreigners, from events such as the Olympics, is helping facilities become more open to the idea of tattoos, whether it’s for fashion, religion, Western influences, or being more accepting the traditional history behind tattoos in Japan. There is a much deeper history behind tattoos in Japan, than just criminality. I hope one day, people of Japan choose to embrace that.