{"id":5460,"date":"2024-05-14T19:17:06","date_gmt":"2024-05-14T18:17:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/universvoyage.com\/?p=5460"},"modified":"2026-01-11T19:49:46","modified_gmt":"2026-01-11T18:49:46","slug":"irezumi-the-art-of-japanese-tattooing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/universvoyage.com\/en\/irezumi-lart-du-tatouage-japonais\/","title":{"rendered":"Irezumi : The art of Japanese tattooing"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>In Japan, the tradition of tattooing is reserved for women. <em>yakuza<\/em>the Japanese mafia. Still frowned upon by the local population, tattoos are tolerated by Westerners and tourists, but remain negatively associated in Japan.<\/strong><\/p><div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_82_2 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-white ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/universvoyage.com\/en\/irezumi-lart-du-tatouage-japonais\/#Le_tatouage_de_lere_Edo_a_lere_Meiji\" >Tattooing, from the Edo to the Meiji era<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/universvoyage.com\/en\/irezumi-lart-du-tatouage-japonais\/#Yakuza_et_tatouages\" >Yakuza and tattoos<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/universvoyage.com\/en\/irezumi-lart-du-tatouage-japonais\/#Le_tatouage_traditionnel_avec_la_methode_du_tebori\" >Traditional tattooing using the tebori method<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/universvoyage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/N5_30424_-Tokyo-Copier.jpg\" data-rel=\"lightbox-image-0\" data-rl_title=\"Japon. S\u00e9ance de tatouage avec Ma\u00eetre Horitake.\" data-rl_caption=\"Japon. S\u00e9ance de tatouage avec Ma\u00eetre Horitake.\" title=\"Japan. Tattoo session with Master Horitake.\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"676\" src=\"https:\/\/universvoyage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/N5_30424_-Tokyo-Copier-1024x676.jpg\" alt=\"Japan. Tattoo session with Master Horitake.\" class=\"wp-image-5462\" srcset=\"https:\/\/universvoyage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/N5_30424_-Tokyo-Copier-1024x676.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/universvoyage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/N5_30424_-Tokyo-Copier-300x198.jpg 300w, https:\/\/universvoyage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/N5_30424_-Tokyo-Copier-768x507.jpg 768w, https:\/\/universvoyage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/N5_30424_-Tokyo-Copier-18x12.jpg 18w, https:\/\/universvoyage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/N5_30424_-Tokyo-Copier-600x396.jpg 600w, https:\/\/universvoyage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/N5_30424_-Tokyo-Copier-36x24.jpg 36w, https:\/\/universvoyage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/N5_30424_-Tokyo-Copier.jpg 1164w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Japan. Tattoo session with Master Horitake.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Generally speaking, tattooed people are frowned upon in Japan and are excluded from certain professions. This is even truer for women. Yet the ritual of tattooing dates back to the earliest Japanese civilisations. Clay statuettes decorated with tribal symbols have been found in tombs from the Jomon period (13,000 to 800 BC) (1). Among the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mcjp.fr\/fr\/bibliotheque\/les-dossiers-de-la-bibliotheque\/les-ainous\">Ainu<\/a>Tattoos have been a symbol of social belonging, spiritual protection and ornament since the 6th century among the aboriginal tribe of hunters, fishermen and gatherers who live mainly on the northern island of Hokkaido.<br>With the arrival of Buddhism in the 6th century, and also under Chinese influence, this traditional art form came to be regarded unfavourably.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Le_tatouage_de_lere_Edo_a_lere_Meiji\"><\/span>Tattooing, from the Edo to the Meiji era<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/universvoyage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/C1_00654-Japan-Copier.jpg\" data-rel=\"lightbox-image-1\" data-rl_title=\"Japon. Yakuza paradant lors du festival Sanja Matsuri \u00e0 Tokyo, dans le quartier d&rsquo;Ayakusa.\" data-rl_caption=\"Japon. Yakuza paradant lors du festival Sanja Matsuri \u00e0 Tokyo, dans le quartier d&#039;Ayakusa.\" title=\"Japan. Yakuza parading during the Sanja Matsuri festival in Tokyo&#039;s Ayakusa district.\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"488\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/universvoyage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/C1_00654-Japan-Copier.jpg\" alt=\"Japan. Yakuza parading during the Sanja Matsuri festival in Tokyo&#039;s Ayakusa district.\" class=\"wp-image-5469\" srcset=\"https:\/\/universvoyage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/C1_00654-Japan-Copier.jpg 488w, https:\/\/universvoyage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/C1_00654-Japan-Copier-191x300.jpg 191w, https:\/\/universvoyage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/C1_00654-Japan-Copier-8x12.jpg 8w, https:\/\/universvoyage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/C1_00654-Japan-Copier-381x600.jpg 381w, https:\/\/universvoyage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/C1_00654-Japan-Copier-15x24.jpg 15w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 488px) 100vw, 488px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Japan. Yakuza parading during the Sanja Matsuri festival in Tokyo's Ayakusa district.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Tattooing flourished during the Edo period (1603 - 1868). A distinction was made between honour tattoos, which celebrated heroes, and prisoner tattoos. In the 17th century, tattooing was practised by the \" <em>bakuto <\/em>\"or professional gamblers, often linked to the world of crime, some of whose codes have been adopted by the <em>yakusa<\/em>the Japanese mafia. They would tattoo a black circle around their arm for each crime they committed. Prisoners were also marked with symbols on their arms or foreheads until 1870.<br>Prostitutes also start practising <em>irezumi <\/em>for aesthetic purposes, which had the effect of accentuating the negative connotation of this custom. Kabuki literature and theatre gave figures and graphic representations to this tradition, which had become an art form: the heroes were fully tattooed warriors, and engravings and prints depicted dragons, tigers and koi carp, all symbols of Japanese mythology that were taken up by tattoo artists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><br>As Japan opened up to the world, the Meiji government (1868-1912), wanting to give a good image to Westerners, decided in 1872 to ban tattooing altogether. Tattoo artists operated discreetly, under cover of another activity. At the beginning of the 20th century, they found new customers: sailors on foreign ships. During the American occupation that followed the Second World War, the practice was legalised once again, but remained associated with the lower classes and organised crime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Yakuza_et_tatouages\"><\/span>Yakuza and tattoos<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/universvoyage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/G4C8826-Copier.jpg\" data-rel=\"lightbox-image-2\" data-rl_title=\"Japon. Yakuza v\u00eatu d&rsquo;un simple fundoshi lors du festival Sanja Matsuri au temple de Kannon \u00e0 Tokyo.\" data-rl_caption=\"Japon. Yakuza v\u00eatu d&#039;un simple fundoshi lors du festival Sanja Matsuri au temple de Kannon \u00e0 Tokyo.\" title=\"Japan. Yakuza dressed in a simple fundoshi during the Sanja Matsuri festival at the Kannon temple in Tokyo.\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"458\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/universvoyage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/G4C8826-Copier.jpg\" alt=\"Japan. Yakuza dressed in a simple fundoshi during the Sanja Matsuri festival at the Kannon temple in Tokyo.\" class=\"wp-image-5474\" srcset=\"https:\/\/universvoyage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/G4C8826-Copier.jpg 458w, https:\/\/universvoyage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/G4C8826-Copier-179x300.jpg 179w, https:\/\/universvoyage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/G4C8826-Copier-7x12.jpg 7w, https:\/\/universvoyage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/G4C8826-Copier-358x600.jpg 358w, https:\/\/universvoyage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/G4C8826-Copier-14x24.jpg 14w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 458px) 100vw, 458px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Japan. Yakuza dressed in a simple fundoshi during the Sanja Matsuri festival at the Senso-Ji temple dedicated to Kannon, goddess of mercy, in Tokyo.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p><br>The practice of tattooing remains a trademark of the <em>yakusa <\/em>as well as the <em>yubitsume <\/em>(2), which sets them apart from the Japanese population. It's a way of imposing fear on those around them and, above all, an acknowledgement that they belong. Because in Japan <em>yakuza <\/em>are well established and still attract a certain amount of admiration. It is the only criminal organisation in the world that has to declare itself as an association and every one of its members has to register. However, modernity and police persecution have had a strong impact on the institution: from more than 200,000 members in the early 1960s, there are now fewer than 100,000.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/universvoyage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/G4C8852-Copier.jpg\" data-rel=\"lightbox-image-3\" data-rl_title=\"Japon. Lors du troisi\u00e8me weekend de mai, les yakusas se montrent et d\u00e9voilent leurs torses macul\u00e9s de tatouages dans un festival tr\u00e8s pris\u00e9, le Sanja Matsuri. La procession rassemble 200 \u00ab\u00a0Mikoshi\u00a0\u00bb ou autels sur palanquin mobile.\" data-rl_caption=\"Japon. Lors du troisi\u00e8me weekend de mai, les yakusas se montrent et d\u00e9voilent leurs torses macul\u00e9s de tatouages dans un festival tr\u00e8s pris\u00e9, le Sanja Matsuri. La procession rassemble 200 &quot;Mikoshi&quot; ou autels sur palanquin mobile.\" title=\"Japan. On the third weekend in May, the yakuza show off their tattoo-stained torsos at the much-loved Sanja Matsuri festival. The procession brings together 200 &quot;Mikoshi&quot; or altars on a mobile palanquin.\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"723\" src=\"https:\/\/universvoyage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/G4C8852-Copier-1024x723.jpg\" alt=\"Japan. On the third weekend in May, the yakuza show off their tattoo-stained torsos at the much-loved Sanja Matsuri festival. The procession brings together 200 &quot;Mikoshi&quot; or altars on a mobile palanquin.\" class=\"wp-image-5471\" srcset=\"https:\/\/universvoyage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/G4C8852-Copier-1024x723.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/universvoyage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/G4C8852-Copier-300x212.jpg 300w, https:\/\/universvoyage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/G4C8852-Copier-768x543.jpg 768w, https:\/\/universvoyage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/G4C8852-Copier-18x12.jpg 18w, https:\/\/universvoyage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/G4C8852-Copier-600x424.jpg 600w, https:\/\/universvoyage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/G4C8852-Copier-34x24.jpg 34w, https:\/\/universvoyage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/G4C8852-Copier.jpg 1087w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Japan. On the third weekend in May, the yakuza show off their tattoo-stained torsos in a much-appreciated festival, the Sanja Matsuri. The procession brings together 200 \"Mikoshi\" or altars on a mobile palanquin.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Le_tatouage_traditionnel_avec_la_methode_du_tebori\"><\/span>Traditional tattooing using the tebori method<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/universvoyage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/N5_15882-Tokyo-Copier.jpg\" data-rel=\"lightbox-image-4\" data-rl_title=\"Japon. Tokyo. Pr\u00e9paration de l&rsquo;encre noire par le tatoueur Taketo Omiya dans son studio \u00e0 Ikebukuro.\" data-rl_caption=\"Preparing black ink. Taketo Omiya tattoer (born 1932), specialist of Yakusas tattoeing (irezumi) at work in his studio . Ikebukuro. City of Tokyo. Japan \/\/ Preparation de l&#039;encre noire. Taketo Omiya tatoueur (ne en 1932) specialiste du tatouage des yakusas (irezumi) . Japon. Tokyo. Pr\u00e9paration de l&#039;encre noire par le tatoueur Taketo Omiya dans son studio \u00e0 Ikebukuro.\" title=\"Japan. Tokyo, Japan. Tattooist Taketo Omiya prepares black ink in his studio in Ikebukuro.\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"673\" src=\"https:\/\/universvoyage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/N5_15882-Tokyo-Copier-1024x673.jpg\" alt=\"Japan. Tokyo, Japan. Tattooist Taketo Omiya prepares black ink in his studio in Ikebukuro. \" class=\"wp-image-5476\" srcset=\"https:\/\/universvoyage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/N5_15882-Tokyo-Copier-1024x673.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/universvoyage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/N5_15882-Tokyo-Copier-300x197.jpg 300w, https:\/\/universvoyage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/N5_15882-Tokyo-Copier-768x505.jpg 768w, https:\/\/universvoyage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/N5_15882-Tokyo-Copier-18x12.jpg 18w, https:\/\/universvoyage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/N5_15882-Tokyo-Copier-600x395.jpg 600w, https:\/\/universvoyage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/N5_15882-Tokyo-Copier-36x24.jpg 36w, https:\/\/universvoyage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/N5_15882-Tokyo-Copier.jpg 1168w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><br><em>Japan. Tokyo. Preparation of the black ink by tattooist Horitake<\/em> <em>san in his studio in Ikebukuro. <\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>It is done on the ground, on tatami mats protected by a tarpaulin. This ancient form of tattooing, carried out using the tebori method, is more difficult for the tattooist than tattooing using an electric machine. <em>Iirezumi <\/em>is instantly recognisable thanks to its distinctive patterns and bright colours. <\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/universvoyage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/SGA_00444-Copier.jpg\" data-rel=\"lightbox-image-5\" data-rl_title=\"Japon. Tokyo. Tatouage dorsal r\u00e9alis\u00e9 par ma\u00eetre Hirotake.\" data-rl_caption=\"Japon. Tokyo. Tatouage dorsal r\u00e9alis\u00e9 par ma\u00eetre Hirotake.\" title=\"Japan. Tokyo. Back tattoo by master Hirotake.\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"501\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/universvoyage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/SGA_00444-Copier.jpg\" alt=\"Japan. Tokyo. Back tattoo by master Hirotake. \" class=\"wp-image-5478\" srcset=\"https:\/\/universvoyage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/SGA_00444-Copier.jpg 501w, https:\/\/universvoyage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/SGA_00444-Copier-196x300.jpg 196w, https:\/\/universvoyage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/SGA_00444-Copier-8x12.jpg 8w, https:\/\/universvoyage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/SGA_00444-Copier-391x600.jpg 391w, https:\/\/universvoyage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/SGA_00444-Copier-16x24.jpg 16w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 501px) 100vw, 501px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">J<em>apon. Tokyo. Back tattoo being created by master Hirotake. <\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Traditionally large in size, the tattoo generally covers the entire torso and can extend to the end of the arms and cover the legs. The ink is inserted under the skin using several needles attached to the end of a bamboo or steel stick. This ancient inking technique is still practised by a handful of master tattoo artists in Japan.<br>One of the main dyes used is Indian ink in sticks and also vermilion. The tattoo is done in colour on the shoulders, back and chest so that it can be hidden under clothing, and requires strength and courage. <\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/universvoyage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/G4C8825-Copier.jpg\" data-rel=\"lightbox-image-6\" data-rl_title=\"Japon. Yakuza arborant un tatouage int\u00e9gral, ce qui requiert une grande force de caract\u00e8re.\" data-rl_caption=\"Japon. Yakuza arborant un tatouage int\u00e9gral, ce qui requiert une grande force de caract\u00e8re.\" title=\"Japan. Yakuza with a full tattoo, which requires great strength of character.\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"485\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/universvoyage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/G4C8825-Copier.jpg\" alt=\"Japan. Yakuza with a full tattoo, which requires great strength of character.\" class=\"wp-image-5482\" srcset=\"https:\/\/universvoyage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/G4C8825-Copier.jpg 485w, https:\/\/universvoyage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/G4C8825-Copier-189x300.jpg 189w, https:\/\/universvoyage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/G4C8825-Copier-8x12.jpg 8w, https:\/\/universvoyage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/G4C8825-Copier-379x600.jpg 379w, https:\/\/universvoyage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/G4C8825-Copier-15x24.jpg 15w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 485px) 100vw, 485px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Japan<\/em>. <em>Yakuza with a full tattoo, which requires great strength of character.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Representations of dragons (magical creatures with great power) are very popular. The carp (<em>koi<\/em>) symbolises courage and power, the cherry blossom (<em>sakura<\/em>) fleeting beauty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you envy those beautiful old-fashioned tattoos, Mr Horitake, <em>yakuza<\/em> (he's missing a little finger!), will create a work of art on your epidermis in 25 4-hour sessions. It's a long and painful process: the metal needle pushes the ink under the skin. Mr Horitake uses the same needle as in the old days, but on an electric device that he designed himself.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/universvoyage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/SGA_00448-Copier.jpg\" data-rel=\"lightbox-image-7\" data-rl_title=\"Japon. Tokyo. Tatouage r\u00e9alis\u00e9 par ma\u00eetre Horitake sur le dos et les cuisses d&rsquo;un yakuza.\" data-rl_caption=\"Japon. Tokyo. Tatouage r\u00e9alis\u00e9 par ma\u00eetre Horitake sur le dos et les cuisses d&#039;un yakuza.\" title=\"Japan. Tokyo. Tattoo by master Horitake on the back and thighs of a yakuza.\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"529\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/universvoyage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/SGA_00448-Copier.jpg\" alt=\"Japan. Tokyo. Tattoo by master Horitake on the back and thighs of a yakuza.\" class=\"wp-image-5485\" srcset=\"https:\/\/universvoyage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/SGA_00448-Copier.jpg 529w, https:\/\/universvoyage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/SGA_00448-Copier-207x300.jpg 207w, https:\/\/universvoyage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/SGA_00448-Copier-8x12.jpg 8w, https:\/\/universvoyage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/SGA_00448-Copier-413x600.jpg 413w, https:\/\/universvoyage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/SGA_00448-Copier-17x24.jpg 17w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 529px) 100vw, 529px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Japan. Tokyo. Tattoo by master Horitake on the back and thighs of a yakuza.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>\"The more beautiful the tattoo, the more intense the suffering. Tattooing and spiritual strength go hand in hand. Be careful, it can never be removed\", explains the master tattooist. A tattoo can take several years to complete, and can cost the price of a very fine car - several tens of thousands of euros...<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some artists still draw as they did in the past. They find their inspiration in classical stories and mythology. Kneeling for the entire session, master tattoo artists have to concentrate hard to create these complex designs, which is why they cannot work for several hours at a time. Customers then have to come back... or not.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>1 - A few years ago, the TAV gallery in Tokyo exhibited a collaborative art project by tattoo artist Taku Oshima and photographer Ryoichi Keroppy Maeda, in which motifs from the Jomon period were inscribed on human bodies.<br>2 - The <em>yakusa <\/em>who breaches the code of honour, makes a mistake or fails to obey an order, may practise the <em>yubitsume<\/em>. He offers his superior the last phalanx of his little finger as a sign of contrition or to make amends for an offence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Text :<\/strong> Mich\u00e8le Lasseur and Brigitte Postel<br><strong>Photos :<\/strong> Sylvain Grandadam<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In Japan, the tradition of tattooing is reserved for the yakuza, the Japanese mafia. Still frowned upon by the population, tattooing is tolerated by Westerners and tourists, but remains a negative connotation in the archipelago. On the whole, tattooed people are...<\/p>","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":5461,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":true,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[139],"tags":[90,94,347,346,348],"class_list":["post-5460","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-japon","tag-art","tag-art-de-vivre","tag-rites","tag-tatouage","tag-yakusa"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.5 (Yoast SEO v27.5) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Irezumi : L&#039;art du tatouage japonais - Univers Voyage<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Au Japon, la tradition du tatouage est r\u00e9serv\u00e9e aux yakuza. Cette pratique, encore mal connot\u00e9e, est pratiqu\u00e9e par des ma\u00eetres tatoueurs.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/universvoyage.com\/en\/irezumi-the-art-of-japanese-tattooing\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Irezumi : L&#039;art du tatouage japonais\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Au Japon, la tradition du tatouage est r\u00e9serv\u00e9e aux yakuza. 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