Jack, Tenchu has never been to Japan, so his opinions are not based on first-hand information.

I don't know what they are based on, but it isn't anything in the reality I know. The leaps in logic being made are far to vast to be even addressable.

Tenchu feel free to hate Japan because tattoos are not the social norm there. But be sure to hate almost all of the rest of the world, because the same is true almost everywhere, but I imagine you already do.

You're the definition of asiaphile, MMM.

Jack, I'd say you were too, but I have a feeling you're Asian yourself, so you're something else.

I guess the point to sum it up is the ancient concept of an eye for an eye, and you reap what you sew.

I'll think twice before having a Japanese guest in my house now, and especially at my dinner table. It's because I know they'd do the same for me.

Infact, anyone with tattoos I think would have issues with Japanese who're like this. Why should we accept them into our house when they wouldn't let us into theirs?

I know MMM will think of some smart asiaphile comeback about respecting cultures or whatever and why Japanese don't have to respect other cultures because they live in Japan. But at the end of the day, they're truly f**ing arrogant.

They can go fu** themselves. I'm sick of stupid Asian racist BS and the idiots who say I have to tolerate them when they won't tolerate me.

I'll leave this forum in the hands of asiaphiles from now on.

And please continue to wear your ignorance as a medal of honor. After two-plus years you obviously don't know me or Japan.

But like I said at the beginning, this thread isn't about me or you.

All I'm saying is I take issue with being turned away from a place because I have tattoos. Now people try to tell me it was my fault, and something that's openly accepted in my culture brands me a criminal elsewhere.

Honestly, it's arrogant. I'm not a yakuza. They'd know that.

I know why they consider their skin to be so precious, as well; it's another racism thing that came about having pure and white skin was what separated you from poor people. We've talked about that many times.

In the end, in Thailand, tattoos are encouraged here as a means of spirituality and social acceptance. It's not ignorance us foreign Muay Thai fighters wear as trophies, it's our tattoos which earn us a lot of respect from down at the lowest peasant right up to the royal family. Muay Thai is the art of Kings, they say, and I'm proud of who I am and what I do; that's my medal of honor in Thailand.

And no, I won't tolerate people who will not tolerate me. I should never be asked to; no one should. So **** Japan.

Tenchu,

How are you connected to Japan, and what inspires you to post here?

Door's over there, Tenchu.

The country isn't rejecting you. Onsens are.

You obviously didn't read my posts why you wouldn't be allowed into an onsen. It doesn't matter that you are not yakuza. Do I need to copy-paste my words for a third time?

Japan is a country of a homogeneous bloodline (in their eyes). As much as you want Japan to be Thai, it is not the same. There are no dark-skinned Japanese and light-skinned Japanese in the same way as other parts of SE Asia. There is just Japanese and non-Japanese. It is not the skin color that is precious but the the gift of life from your parents. This is what you, Tenchu, are not understanding. And I wouldn't expect you to. You have never lived in japan or dealt with Japanese people. So you apply your experiences of BS in Thai with how people are in Japan.

And that is why Thai is the place for you and Japan isn't. That doesn't make Japanese people a**holes, unless you are so narrow-minded that your way is the only way.

No one in Japan is waiting on the tarmac for your arrival, so i am sure the attitude is mutual.

Sir, its not that you are a yakuza, but that that is the only standard they can set to keep real yakuza members out. Were they to let you, me, or any other tattooed person in they would have no social (or legal?) footing to keep the yakuza out anymore, unless they decided you need to clear a criminal background check first.

Its unfortunate, yes, but racist? No. Racist would be saying "No foreigners with tattoos are allowed. Only tattooed Japanese".

Are you trying to open the door to moderator?

Going through all your posts clearly show you endulging in moderation. Why?

I agree; In my mind the 'no tattoos' rule in Onsen's is a business policy akin to 'No shirt no service'. I wouldn't walk into the Hyatt Grand's restaurant in shorts and flip-flops and then accuse them of being mindless racists if they refused me service. Same with onsen and tattoos. Other places will serve you; this rule is not a universal edict for exclusion. The problem is that tattoo's can't be removed easily, or hidden, especially in a place where you're removing your clothing.

Besides, as Tain said, it's NOT just Japan. Many cultures have histories in which tattoos and scarification are associated most strongly with violent rebels or out-right criminals and there IS no history of spiritual or cultural tattooing. In the UK, the opinion tends to be that it's the pursuit of the 'lower classes', even if that's untrue in practice. At the end of the day, in that respect, the consensus is that 'nice boys and girls' don't get tattoos.