The Hardcore World of Japanese Tattoos Will Make You Stronger
22.05.12
In the West, there is a vibrant geek tattoo culture, with gamers adorning their bodies with 8-bit characters. This same geek subculture is still in its infancy in Japan. I ask Benny why, and he replies, "Tattoos are just not socially accepted here."
Public baths, swimming pools, and even hot springs prohibit individuals with tattoos from using their facilities. In Japan, the connection with tattoos and organized crime is still strong—even through there was a Western style tattoo boom at the turn of the century that tried to separate itself from traditional ink. The country has a long tattooing history, but it's not necessarily a proud one. Tattoos have existed in Japan since way before the birth of Christ, but it wasn't until the Edo era (1600-1868) that they began to be used on a decorative adornment much like today. As Japan opened itself to the West during the Meiji Era (1868 to 1912), tattooing fascinated Westerners who visited Japan. Along with topknots and carrying samurai swords, the Meij Government banned tattoos as old-fashioned relics that would impede modernization. It wasn't until after World War II that the U.S. Occupational Forces decriminalized tattoos. Yet, by that time, tattooing has become something that covered the backs of Japanese yakuza.
Source: Kotaku