What are your views on tattoos?

They stop you joining a gym in Japan because you must clearly be a member of the yakuza; that welcoming organization, famous for recruiting non-Japanese...!

If you are Japanese, it could imply you are a member of the yakuza. If you are a westerner, it suggests you are following a recent fashion to mark your body to demonstrate one's individuality, or something.

If you are a Maori, you look cool!

Tattooes are the only way for individuals with no sense of themselves to show the world they are in fact lemmings.

My grandfather was a cavalry soldier who fought in the second war. He had many tattoos, and as I child, I was fascinated by them. I asked him if I could get one, and he said "I want you to be a gentleman, and gentlemen don't have tattoos." I asked him "aren't you a gentleman?" He said he was a stable sergeant, which was as high as an enlisted man could aspire to be in the cavalry, but to be a gentleman was to be an officer, and neither officers nor gentlemen had tattoos. I respected his wishes as well as I could.

I personally don't like tattoos, especially the excessive ones, but that's just a matter of taste and doesn't reflect on how I think of a person, may it be foreigner or Japanese (though I would be careful about guys with a large tattoo covering their back). And I do find a small tattoo in an appropriate place extremely sexy for girls.

OK. If that's what you want...but people should remember that they are not easily removed! The ones with (ex-)girlfriend names are usually not too wise.

Ah_so

If you are a westerner, it suggests you are following a recent fashion to mark your body to demonstrate one's individuality, or something.

It's hardly a recent thing, I have had tattoos for 40 years.

sourpuss

Tattooes are the only way for individuals with no sense of themselves to show the world they are in fact lemmings.

Perhaps you would like to rephrase that, for some people it is part of their culture and tradition so you are in fact showing you are an extremely culturally ignorant and insensitive person. You are the Lemming.

In the West, what do tattoos and gays have in common? Both are prohibited by God in the Bible (Leviticus). Yet, nobody seems to have a problem with getting tattoos, but gays, watch out!. Well, Japan has never been Christianized, so a tattoo is just a tattoo. But it is the favored form of self-expression for yakuza. When I was a kid in the early 80s, there was not yet a prohibition on tattoos in public baths, and I could be sitting next to a heavily tattood man, but then I had no idea what a yakuza was. They were washing up like anyone else. I guess that formed my attitude about tattoos, they are just a natural part of the human landscape. I prefer living in a Buddhist-Shinto culture.

I have ten myself and to me mine represents a very important time in my life.

There is one more I do want to add, however, It is mine to keep and knowledge of also to keep.

@gokai, I hope you do realize that the bible was wrote by man and has been re-wrote by men down through the course of time with many books being left out of it intentionally because the Vatican did not think they were worthy of being included in it. i.e. Book of Mary, Book of Judas, etc., etc., and etc..

I've always thought this answer given by Truman Capote ("In Cold Blood") provides some food for thought about tattoos:

Q: Is there anything they (multiple murderers behind bars) all have in common?

Truman Capote: I'm not going to go into that now. There is one thing that eighty percent of them have in common, and it's the only thing I'll tell you. Eighty percent of multiple murderers have tattoos. Interview after interview after interview, the person always turned out to be tattooed, either a little bit or a lot.

Q: So when you see someone with a tattoo, stay away?

Truman Capote: You should do that for a lot of reasons. There's something really the matter with most people who wear tattoos. There's at least some terrible story. I know from experience that there's always something terribly flawed about people who are tattooed, above some little something that Johnny had done in the Navy even though that's a bad sign.

Q: What about the Japanese who are tattooed from head to foot? Is that a whole other thing?

Truman Capote: It's terrible. Psychologically it's crazy. Most people who are tattooed, it's the sign of some feeling of inferiority, they're trying to establish some macho identification for themselves.

Q: Have you known many Jewish multiple murderers with tattoos?

Truman Capote: They're rarer than most. Not as gangsters, Jewish gangsters are just a prevalent as Italian gangsters.

Q: Did you know that a Jew with a tattoo cannot be buried in a Jewish cemetery?

Truman Capote: I didn't know that. (pauses) That's fascinating. I'm glad you told me that. I wish I had known that a long time ago.

Would I get one myself? Hmm, let's see, unnecessary pain, weeks of taking care of an unnecessary wound that could get infected, and of course the risk of serious diseases such as Hepatitis is the tattoo artist doesn't clean their equipment properly... so, about the same as an ear piercing really.

Would I object to anyone else having one? No. No more so than I would object to their choice of clothing. Its a personal choice. And honestly I see a lot more badly dressed people than I see bad tattoos.

In Japan Tattoos simplyfy recruitment procedure for YAKUZA and You will be banned from entering a GYM, Public Swimming pool, a Water park or a Public Onsen if you have a visible Tattoos on your body. Outside of Japan various people/community having Tattoos on their body for different reason it might be Cultural, Religious or simply fashion. I have 3 small dots tattoos on my hand which was done when i was 6 months old for some religious reason. (ok dots represent supreme Power which protect me from all Bads, but not from Osaka Mayor).

In Japan time has came when the administration need to categorise the tattoos

Hmm, let's see, unnecessary pain, weeks of taking care of an unnecessary wound that could get infected, and of course the risk of serious diseases such as Hepatitis is the tattoo artist doesn't clean their equipment properly

Point One: Tattoos aren't really all that painful, it depends on which part of you body you get tattood, and your pain threshold. Obviously, tattooing your scrotum will have you screaming like a little girl. I've experienced far greater pains, and so tattoos didn't bother me. For the most part, it just feels like a minor burning. It hurts a little more the next day, but that's it.

Point Two: What are you being tattood with? A paint soaked knife? Unless you rub faeces into the tattoo, you won't get an infection. All that is required for the care is to wash it with warm soapy water 2-3 times a day, followed by applying a moisturising cream (such as a rash cream) to prevent serious scabbing. Even then, scabs are commonplace with tattoos, and tend to get washed off by the warm soapy water.

Point Three: That's why you don't go to back alley tattoo parlours. Find a parlour that comes highly recommended by several colleagues. One with its own website preferrably, and one that displays Health & Safety certificates publicly.

I have three tattoos at present. I have "Kitsune" on my right forearm (The Japanese for Fox), Zorro on my left forearm (The Spanish for Fox), and a phrase in Japanese on the back of my neck. The latter I regret getting now. It didn't turn out how I expected, but hey, we learn from our mistakes right? You can't learn if you don't make mistakes. I'm planning on getting that phrase removed, and I'm toying with the idea to go for something big and admittedly ostentatious. I'm just trying to decide how big I want to go: All over my back and right shoulder, or go the whole hog and have it extend down my right leg as well? I'll have to come up with some designs and see what looks best. It'll be a blue dragon either way.

I don't see anything wrong with getting a tattoo, just as long as you think carefully, and don't make my mistake with the phrase in Japanese. Not every tattoo artist can write Japanese characters, so there's a risk that it'll come out wrong. If you must go that route, I suggest getting tattood by someone fluent in the language. My other tattoos came out just fine. Honestly, it's not as painful as people make it out to be. I went in terrified, came out surprised. As long as you're smart about it, and you get a tattoo that doesn't lose relevance, then go for it. But for the love of "God", don't tattoo your partner's name. You might think you'll be together forever now, but how will you feel about the ink when you catch them cheating on you?

Not my thing but each to his/her own. I have to say the trend for kanji or Arabic script tattoos with no understanding of the meaning looks a bit ridiculous. One sportsman had the kanji for 'kitchen' tattooed on his arm.

Ah, I think it's kind of funny that, at present getting ink is fashionable, and that all of these young kids think they are expressing their uniqueness, individuality, style etc - except for the fact that EVERYONE their age looks exactly the same. So they are, in fact, performing the ultimate act of conformity. It's funny and deliciously ironic.

And they won't look so hot in 20 year's time.

I don't mind tattoos, but it's got a bit silly in the last few years.

It's graffiti. I don't scribble indelible stuff over the walls of my house; I don't see the point in scribbling indelible stuff on my skin.

If other folk want to do it, it's up to them.

Tattoos are soooo original, deep, and meaningful.

Not.

Tattoo's are an annoying trend, with people getting them sure to be scrambling for tattoo removal services a few years later, regretting their moment of stupidity.

Nothing ruins a beautiful body more than some nasty looking ink.

Not for me thank you !

However, as I always say : Live and let live !

I think tattoos are body graffiti, and I hate graffiti.

Fox Cloud LeleanMay. 17, 2014 - 10:51AM JST

Hmm, let's see, unnecessary pain, weeks of taking care of an unnecessary wound that could get infected, and of course the risk of serious diseases such as Hepatitis is the tattoo artist doesn't clean their equipment properly

Point One: Tattoos aren't really all that painful, it depends on which part of you body you get tattood, and your pain threshold. Obviously, tattooing your scrotum will have you screaming like a little girl. I've experienced far greater pains, and so tattoos didn't bother me. For the most part, it just feels like a minor burning. It hurts a little more the next day, but that's it.

It is unnecessary pain. I don't headbutt walls for precisely the same reason. Also, there are many, many places other than your scrotum that can hurt like hell. Pretty much anywhere where the bone is close to the surface (shoulder blade, small of the back, ankle, etc.) hurts a lot more than "fleshy" areas.

Point Two: What are you being tattood with? A paint soaked knife? Unless you rub faeces into the tattoo, you won't get an infection. All that is required for the care is to wash it with warm soapy water 2-3 times a day, followed by applying a moisturising cream (such as a rash cream) to prevent serious scabbing. Even then, scabs are commonplace with tattoos, and tend to get washed off by the warm soapy water.

I've seen enough people with infected tattoos to know that most people don't follow the sensible precautions you recommend. Even with sensible precautions though there is a chance your wound (and it is a wound) could get infected. Notice that would could ? It indicates a possibility, not a certainty. Denying that there is even a possibility that a tattoo could get infected is just ridiculous. Approximately 1.8% of tattooed individuals contract hepatitis C.

Point Three: That's why you don't go to back alley tattoo parlours. Find a parlour that comes highly recommended by several colleagues. One with its own website preferrably, and one that displays Health & Safety certificates publicly.

I'm not sure if tattoo parlors in Japan have Health and Safety certificates? Given the negative attitude of the authorities to tattooing in general I wouldn't be surprised if it is largely unregulated and you'd be relying on the business owner's word that everything is kosher.

Even if there is regulation, there are plenty of stories about people eating at restaurants that are subjected to regular inspections, but still getting food poisoning because someone made a small mistake. Hospitals are paranoid about cleanliness and there are cases of accidental infection. Believing that tattoo artists are more careful than doctors is just ridiculous.

I don't see anything wrong with getting a tattoo, just as long as you think carefully

Like I said, I don't have a problem with people getting tattoos, but I do have a problem with people who respond to my posts without reading carefully. The pain is unnecessary . The wound could get infected. There's no guarantee, even if there are health and safety certificates, that the equipment is properly cleaned every time. If someone wants a tattoo then they can get one, but they shouldn't fool themselves about the risks.

sangetsu03 Nice story.

Tattoos are like jewelry and piercings. Some of it is great and some of it sucks. Some of it is very attractive and some of it is just plain stupid looking. A little is better than a lot. And designs are better than straight-forward depictions of real world objects.

If I ever got one, it would probably be the same one George Clooney had in From Dusk til Dawn. That would be right on the border of excessive, but still tasteful and cool I think. And I would get no more.

Another possibility would be a design out of Lord of the Rings.

To each his own, but I would never have one.

Yuk! Cheap and unsophisticated and something you'll regret in later life — the bigger the worse!

People should be aware that in Japan, putting a tattoo on someone without a medical license is against the law under Article 17 of Japanese Laws of Medical Practice. People have been arrested under this law for doing tattoo art without a medical license to do so. The same law covers piercing as well.

I have seen some beautiful tats on women in the public baths, no doubt on places that one wouldn't normally see and some badly done ones on both men and women here. My advice is, if you're going to get one, make sure it's one that you will be happy with all your life and it's in a place that isn't going to sag with age. Make sure that it's done by an artist that is qualified and uses hygienic equipment and the best possible ink as cheap ink fades. Be absolutely sure that if it's written in a language you aren't familiar with, bring a friend along who knows what's being tattooed on you. I remember hearing of a young American who went to HK and got one cheaply done in the back streets. On returning to US he was proudly showing it off until a Chinese friend told him that he didn't have 'peace & love' on his back shoulder, he had 'tiny dick' tattooed, instead!!

"One sportsman had the kanji for 'kitchen' tattooed on his arm."

Hee hee!

My view, if you want them then get them, as for me I will never get one.

IMHO, the bigger and/or more tattoos on bodies immediately labels the wearers as no class at all to maybe second class for the smaller, fewer tattoos. I'd rather dart through hell wearing gasoline underwear than get a tattoo.

My belief and opinion, of course, doesn't apply to my two perfect, married children; a son with one minor tattoo on each shoulder, and a daughter with one tattoo covering half her back.

You see, they're wonderful, classy people, intelligent, kind, productive, hard-working kids with good jobs and their own wonderful children. They're caring, compassionate citizens who make their parents immensely proud.

This brings new meaning to the term "mixed emotions."

I think a small discrete one that nobody knows about (except you and your partner!)... that can be kind of cool...

But multiple large ones... that looks terrible... Beckham looks absolutely awful for example...

I love tattoos. I would have more, but I'm really picky when it comes to my own tattoos, so it takes me a long tome to decide what to get. I've had people ask me why I got tattoos on my forearms, when I'm a businessman and it could affect some of my business relationships. My answer is that my forearm tattoos work as a filter - anyone who doesn't want to do business with me because of my tattoos, is the type of person I don't want to do business with. So my tattoos save us both time.

I don't judge people for having them, but I would NEVER get one.

I have 4 younger sisters with tattoos and a 19 year old niece that just got one. I would never get one because I don't see the reason or the beauty to turn myself into a road map. It used to be cool to see a person walking around with a unique tat, but these days, I think people are going waaaaay overboard with them. The other day I say at the station a foreigner who was wearing a T-shirt and shorts and looked like a deluxe pizza , the guy was inked up literally everywhere except his face ONLY, I really have to say, it looked ugly. He was a young kid, but when he's about 70 can't or don't want to imagine how he's going to look. I don't pass judgement on anyone, you have the right to look as you want, if you want to pierce your body or get tattoos all day fine with me, but don't complain when you have difficulties getting a job or if some people feel uncomfortable with it, it just goes with the territory. I do think the Japanese a far too sensitive about the issue, but they are not going to change, that is their perception and the more people push back. the less it will help. In most countries If people don't want to hire you for a job that is equally their prerogative. When you decide to get a tat, you really need to think about the possible consequences that go along with them in society, the society that you need to live in and work with a vast majority of people that don't like tats or piercings.

anyone who doesn't want to do business with me because of my tattoos, is the type of person I don't want to do business with. So my tattoos save us both time.

And that is your right, but it also depends on what kind of work you want to do. But for most companies where you wear short sleeved shirts, the majority of them don't want tats. I think too much is ugly, I don't think they look cool. But each to his own. I think natural is always best.

And that is your right, but it also depends on what kind of work you want to do

Yeah, most people don't have the freedom in their work that I do. Too bad for them, but it works well for me.

In a nutshell, silly narcissism that most people will come to regret after they grow up.

Tattoos are a good way to separate the men from the boys. Those not bold enough know this to be true and should stay in and watch their cartoons.

Tattoos are a good way to separate the men from the boys.

The ignorance is strong in this one.

As dcog9065 say... Tattoos separate the men from the boys.....

Since wanting to have a Tattoo comes essentially at young age, once a person reaches some maturity usually the craving to have a Tattoo fades, and those who have one, try to erase it or hide it.

This, for most of the cultures and countries. For people from the Polynesian cultures it may vary.

"I've had people ask me why I got tattoos on my forearms, when I'm a businessman and it could affect some of my business relationships. My answer is that my forearm tattoos work as a filter -anyone who doesn't want to do business with me because of my tattoos, is the type of person I don't want to do business with. So my tattoos save us both time."

If so, then why not have one on your face like Mike Tyson?

Since wanting to have a Tattoo comes essentially at young age, once a person reaches some maturity usually the craving to have a Tattoo fades, and those who have one, try to erase it or hide it.

Reality proves otherwise.

If so, then why not have one on your face like Mike Tyson?

Because I'm not interested in having a face tattoo. The Maoris look pretty cool though.

@Strangerland

I am referring to the majority of the people... of course there are persons that may have a taste for tattoos at an adult age. Musicians and artists come to my mind, though that may be biased.

Never the less, wanting to have a tattoo when an adult is not common. How many business men do you know have a tattoo and are proud to let it know as yourself?

All I can say is, thank God, most people don't work in the business world with tats. If you have them on your body where you can cover up, I don't have a problem with it, but when you get it all over your body, legs and sometimes face, I think it just takes away the natural beauty Mother Nature has given to all of us. I especially hate it when I see really old people with shriveled up, dried tats walking around, it's just so gross.

I am referring to the majority of the people... of course there are persons that may have a taste for tattoos at an adult age.

If you spend any time in a tattoo shop, you see that a significant number of people are not particularly young. Tattooing is not limited to young people anymore.

How many business men do you know have a tattoo and are proud to let it know as yourself?

In Asia - none. In N. America, a surprising number. It was actually a bit of culture shock to me going to NA on business, after having been in Japan so long.

If you spend any time in a tattoo shop, you see that a significant number of people are not particularly young. Tattooing is not limited to young people anymore

You are quite right - proper grown ups are increasingly having them, not just over-sized adolescents. Check out the link:

<>http://www.thedailymash.co.uk/news/society/people-without-tattoos-labelled-freaks-and-attention-seekers-2013060771240

In Asia - none. In N. America, a surprising number

That is one huge reason why I like Asia so much and have been living here.