Irezumi: The Forbidden and Sacred Art of Japanese Tattooing

In Japan, tattoos are not simply a fashion accessory. They are spiritual armor, a test of endurance, and a living work of art that breathes in rhythm with the wearer.

While the West often views tattoos as mere decoration, Japan has a complex relationship with them, a mixture of artistic fascination and social rejection linked to organized crime. Welcome to the world of Irezumi (入れ墨), the art of ink application.

From spiritual origins to the criminal's mark

The history of Japanese tattooing is a constant pendulum swing between the sacred and the profane.

Over 2000 years ago, during the Jomon period, clay figurines ( Dogū ) already bore markings on the face, suggesting that the tattoo had a ritual or magical function, probably to ward off evil spirits.

However, starting in the Edo period (1603-1868), the meaning abruptly reversed. Tattooing became punitive. Authorities branded criminals on their foreheads or arms to identify them for life. To conceal these marks of shame, convicts began to cover these punishments with larger decorative designs. The art of concealment was born.

The Golden Age: When Prints Come to Life

The real boom of Irezumi as we know it came in the 19th century, thanks to literature and prints (Ukiyo-e).

A very popular Chinese novel, Suikoden (Water Margin), tells the story of heroic bandits whose bodies are covered in dragons and tigers. Great masters of woodblock printing, such as Kuniyoshi , illustrated these heroes. The common people—firefighters, laborers, and merchants—fascinated by this rebellious courage, began asking artists to reproduce these motifs on their own skin.

This is a crucial point: traditional tattoo artists and sculptors of masks or prints share the same DNA. They use the same iconography ( Yokai , Oni , Hannya ) to tell stories of bravery and protection.

Tebori: The Praise of Suffering and Patience

What distinguishes true traditional Japanese tattooing is the Tebori technique (hand carving).

Unlike the buzzing of modern electric machines, Tebori is silent, punctuated only by the characteristic sound of the stick: sha-sha-sha . The tattoo artist (Horishi) uses a bamboo or metal rod with a bundle of needles at the end. He inserts the ink through repeated levering movements.

It's a much longer, more painful, and more expensive process than modern tattooing. This is where the concept of Gaman (patience and endurance) comes in. Having a full bodysuit (tattoo) done in Tebori isn't just beautiful; it's physical proof that you've endured the pain for hundreds of hours. It's a mark of mental strength.

The Shadow of the Yakuza

It's impossible to talk about Irezumi without mentioning the Japanese mafia. For a long time, full-body tattoos were the preserve of the Yakuza.

For what ?

1. Loyalty: Voluntarily excluding oneself from "normal" society to swear allegiance to the clan.

2. Pain: Proving one's resilience.

It is because of this close connection that tattooing remains frowned upon in Japan today (forbidden in most onsen and gyms). Yet, a new generation of artisans and enthusiasts is reclaiming this art for its pure beauty, far removed from organized crime.

Irezumi today: Carrying on the legend

Irezumi is a coded language. A dragon is not placed just anywhere. A Hannya mask surrounded by cherry blossoms (Sakura) tells a specific story about destructive passion and the ephemeral nature of life.

Today, this art transcends the borders of Japan. It fascinates with its ability to transform the body into a living legend, populated by demons and deities.

In my next article, we will delve into the heart of these symbols to decipher what the most famous motifs really mean: the Hannya mask, the Oni demon, and the Kitsune fox.