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Pain for Pride
Many cultures have traditions that are passed down through generations “there is
no culture in which people do not, or did not paint, pierce, tattoo, reshape or simply adorn
their bodies” (Schildkrout 107). Japanese underworld subculture is known for its
spectacular full body tattooing: Horimono. Horimono, [hori or horu is “to incise” or “to
dig”] dates back to the Edo period, around 18th century; which has marvelously evolved
into different connotations, until now. Horimono is a word that represents great talent and
beauty; therefore, it is interesting how the word contradicts itself. Horimono’s shameful
stigma and “suit” of pride are admired masterpieces worn by the most terrifying and
darkest individuals of Japanese society, and its agonizing masterpieces cannot be exposed
to the world.
During the Edo period, Japanese tattoos became a part of ukiyo-e (the suspended
world culture). Prostitutes used tattoos to improve their individual aesthetics for
customers; tattoos were also used by laborers and fireman. Through time tattoos became
a punishment for criminals: “tattoos have long been symbols of shame and disgrace”
(“Japanese”). Criminals were branded with tattoos that characterized their crime, either
around the arm or forehead for every offense, becoming the outlaws of society. These
outlaws were ronin (master less samurai warriors), who created the start of the yakuza,
currently known as one of the most fearful criminal organizations. It is believed “gang
members tried to cover up their past ink by adding more and more tattoos until the entire
bodies were covered with colorful art” (“Yakuza”), a shameful mark that nowadays
Yakuza members transformed into a mark of pride. Members of yakuza consider
themselves the “robin-hoods” of society and take pride in their reputation. For example in
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the documentary by National Geographic, a yakuza member stated: “People like myself
wear the tattoos to separate ourselves from society it’s a matter of pride that we
understood the pain” (“Japanese”). Unfortunately, society fears them the most; when
someone sees a person with tattoos, usually flee, proving that tattoos became a trademark
for yakuza.
Horimono is an agonizing luxury that cannot be afforded and/or handled by
anyone: “Tattoos can signify bravery and commitment to a long, painful process”
(“Schildkrout”), once started it must be completed. In this traditional Japanese tattooing
the masters use a process known as tebori (tattooing by hand), which “the ink brush is
made [up] of two dozen needles and the canvas is [the] human flesh” (“Full”). The reason
masters use tebori is because it is the only method where colors remain intact. Also it
gives the master a chance to make his or her own tools and ink. Hundreds and hundreds
of hours are needed to complete horimono; therefore, one must be very strong “to get
your whole body tattooed you need endurance it hurts and you agreed and there is no turn
back” (“Death”). The only parts of the body that are not covered in ink are the hands, the
feet and the face. Horimono is considered a masterpiece because the work is done
carefully, slowly, agonizing and meaningful. These masterpieces are based on Japan’s
history, symbols and each “suit” has an inked samurai. In order to complete these
masterpieces, masters spend time with their client to understand his personality and
character, making each suit unique and original. Each line or symbol expresses the
costumer’s personality and carries sacred symbols that have powerful meanings in
Japanese history/tradition. Many of these beautiful masterpieces have an endless life. It is
said that “body suits have been removed from their owners after death, even more
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disturbing they have reportedly been traded [in] the black market” (“Yakuza”). One can
view a few of these “suits” at Tokyo University; “Rumors persists that collectors still buy
tattooed human skin even though the practice is illegal” (“Yakuza”). Horimono
masterpieces seem to be the new trend. Leading some people to barbaric actions, of
removing the tattooed skin of dead bodies, and displaying them as art.
Expensive masterpieces “can cost tens of thousands of dollars and a life time of
suffering to complete... But for all that’s endured to get one, these tattoos are usually
hidden” (Full) during the person’s lifetime, until they are displayed after death. Tattoos
are still taboo in Japan “because showing can identify you as one of the most notorious
and feared members of Japanese society” (“Full”). People look at tattoos, and no matter
how beautiful they are “when Japanese people see tattoos they think yakuza, yakuza
equals tattoo people” (“Death”). Usually tattooed people are not welcomed in public
places, unless covered; for example, if you are at the beach, public bath etc., you better
have a long sleeve shirt on and pants or a clerk will tell you to go away.
Horimono is a beauteous painful art, loved and feared at the same time. Its stigma
puts fear in the Japanese society. Although Horioki, a Japanese tattoo artist, is trying to
remove its stigma through a monthly gathering of tattooed people, karaoke and Japanese
traditions, tattoos still remain taboo in Japan. Even if you leave the “family,” “the only
way to leave yakuza is to cut your finger” (“Death”). Since Yakuza members cannot
escape their body, Horimono mark remains with them until death.
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Works Cited
“Full Body Tattoos”. www.natgeoeducationvideo.com. National Geographic. Web. 9
March 2013.
“The Japanese Tattoo (Horimono)”. YouTube. National Geographic, 1 November 2007.
Web. 7 March 2013.
“Marked Death of Yakuza (Full Documentary)”. YouTube. History, 20 January 2013. 12
March 2013.
Schildkrout, Enid. “Body Art as Visual Language.” One World, Many Cultures. Stuart
and Terry Hirschberg. New York: Pearson-Longman, 2012. 93-99. Print.
“Yakuza’s Tattoos”. YouTube. History, 3 November 2011. Web. 10 March 2013.
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