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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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