Japanese Tattoo Art

A tattoo is a mark made by inserting pigment into the skin. In Japanese, it has other names such as irezumi or horimono. Tattoos often has a negative meaning in the Japanese society now and it references to yakuza (Japanese mafia).

According to archaeologists, Japanese tattoo has a long history with about 1700 years. The early settlers of Japan use tattoos to decorate their body and then tattoos were used to mark criminals. This action created a new class in the Japanese society including criminals and masterless samurai (ronin). They gathered together under organizations and creates which we called yakuza today.

Japanese tattoos is affected by the art in the Edo period. They are often derived from pictures at that time.

Ryu ni Oni (Dragon and Demon). This was the favourite motif for firemen in Edo

This tattoo was derived from the picture "Moonlight over Mount Yoshino".

This tatto shows one of the favourite actors of the 19th century at Kabuki theatre, Ichikawa Danjuro VII.

Reference:

http://www.artelino.com/articles/gallery-japanese-tattoos.asp