Facts About Traditional Japanese Tattoo Art

Tattooing is an exceptional Japanese art form which has turned a fashion in the western countries and other parts of the world. It has a hectic history consisting of the various representations it made and has been one of the major arts in Japan.

In Japan the art form goes by a couple of different names. Irezumi and Horimono are the most famous names for conventional Japanese tattoo art. Standard Irezumi is the custom of tattoo making on large parts of the body like the back. The Japanese are also known for their full body tattoo suits.

It is amusing to know that inside Japan, getting yourself tattooed means you are marking yourself as a red-blooded male or you are admitting yourself as a member Yakuza, the notorious Japanese Mafia. According to the history, tattooing was inspired by Buddhism and Confucianism to a large extent and that may be why it has got a negative impression with it.

The tattoo art boasts a history of 1700 years. The Ainu tribe, the very first people to take up residence in Japan, are considered to be the founders of this art. Another ancient tribe named Wa’ were accustomed to full body tattoos.

In China, although they were more advanced in the field of art than Japan, tattooing was counted as a malpractice and uncivilized custom. When Buddhism moved from China to Japan, this thought also followed it. As a result tattooing became infamous for its use as a punishment and as a label for the criminals.

The Edo era was the golden age for tattooing as it turned the corner and started to be recognized as a fashionable trend. Workmen and firemen had the habit of tattooing and even the prostitutes found their way to turn on their clients by adoring themselves with tattoos.

in the 18th century tattooing substituted the amputation of ears and nose to punish the criminals. A character tattoo in the forehead or a ring tattoo on the forearm became the sign of a criminal. In 1870, the Meiji government stopped this practice.

This kind of punishment became a reason for the emergence of a rejected class of people and they were always kept away from the society. Most of them were Samurai people called Ronin who had no masters. They had no way other than forming their own gangs and these circumstances led to the formation of the Japanese Mafia and became a social problem.

For all that, today things have taken a turn for the better and now the art of tattooing has got a positive impression. No doubt, that negative connotation still remains inside Japan, but in a global perspective tattooing has become a fashion of the new generation.

The Meaning Behind A Dragonfly Tattoo

One of the most common tattoo design which we can normally see in women is a dragonfly tattoo. But what is so special about this insect? Surely, everyone is well aware that they harmless little creatures which have beautiful, transparent wings. We also know that their body can reflect several colors. But lately, these insects are being combined with several tattoo themes. They can be seen with Asian or even oriental inspired designs. Also, they are blended with tattoos of Native American theme. They can also be mixed along with mystical designs and fantasy art. But is there some meaning behind choosing such design?

Normally, Asian cultures such as China, Vietnam and Japan all have a high respect for the dragonfly. Often, the Japanese see the dragonfly as a symbol of joy or happiness. They also see it as a symbol of courage and strength. While Japan and China use dragonflies for medical purposes, the Vietnamese occasionally uses these insects to aid in forecasting the weather.

With regards to the view of the United States, dragonflies are a symbol of rebirth or a renewal after a great hardship or loss. This is a belief in several Native American cultures. These people also believe that dragonflies hold the souls of people who have died.

The design of a dragonfly has been used in Hopi, Pueblo, and Zuni pottery, jewelry and artwork. To the Navajo tribe, dragonflies represent pure water. Mostly, a dragonfly is being used to symbolize both water and air. This is because these insects begin their life in water and then change into a flying creature when they mature.

Such transformation of a dragonfly from water to air is the reason for the metaphysical or mystical symbolism of the insect. Such qualities make the beautiful insect a symbol of big change. The rising up, achieving of goals, and even death are denoted by our limits which have been self imposed. Often, dragonflies are connected with growing up and maturity. Mythical stories have even referred to such creatures as previous dragons.

Many people believe that dragonflies symbolize quickness, invincibility and agility because of the insect’s maneuverability and speed. No matter what culture you go by, there are still several people who have their own individual idea on what a dragonfly tattoo means. Because dragonflies can be inked with any color you like, the designs work well with women and men. Whatever reason you have for choosing the design, you must be proud to be represented by such beautiful creature.

The Rich History Of Tattoos

Tattoos have a long and interesting history. Tattoo art has been used for a wide range of purposes, including religious celebrations, decoration, and cosmetic purposes. The earliest evidence of tattooing dates all the way back to around 3300 BC. During these early centuries, most tattoos depicted a variety of different animals, fish, and monsters, and some evidence suggests that some tattoos were used as a therapeutic treatment for arthritis.

Since ancient times tattooing has been popular in regions such as India, China, and Egypt. In the Philippines, tattoos had tribal significance, and full body tattoos were common to signify tribal rank and accomplishment. In Japan, tattoos were used for decorative and spiritual purposes. And tattoos also seemed to be quite prevalent in northern and central regions of Europe, but as Christianity spread throughout the continent, tattooing became associated with paganism and lost its prevalence.

In the late sixteenth century, however, worldwide explorations reintroduced tattoos into Europe. In the 1600s Sir Martin Frobisher traveled to China and took a woman captive who had tattoos, and she was a popular attraction in Europe. Other similar events took place, and one English nobleman returned from an expedition with his own tattoo. And in the next several decades, tattoos became increasingly associated with sailors who frequently got tattoos on expeditions to Asiatic countries.

In the mid-eighteenth century, the first use of the term “tattoo” was recorded by Captain James Cook in Tahiti who observed the practice of body modification among the indigenous people. And in the late nineteenth century, King George V received a couple of tattoos while in Japan, and later his two sons also received tattoos which started a family and royal tradition. Tattoos became quite popular among the gentry in England, and it was estimated that one in five noblemen had a tattoo.

Today, tattoos are becoming more accepted in almost all cultures, except in Judaism which forbids the practice of tattooing. In the past, tattoos were applied using a variety of procedures, but in contemporary times, electronic tattoo machines are the most popular tools used in tattooing. And, as in ancient times, tattoos have also regained popularity among women.

Since around the 1990s, tattoos have becoming increasingly popular, particularly in North and South America and Japan. Consequently, the notion of tattoos as an art form has also risen in popularity as is evidenced by that growing number of tattoo art exhibitions and galleries.