This is a really good thread. Ive had doubts of leaving my tattoos visable. After reading this, ill be sure to cover them up when i go.

Very well said MMM.

I mean I understand some people have difficulties understanding what's up with tattoos in Japan but it's a big deal.

Average people won't be able to tell the difference between irezumi (Japanese word for tattoo) and western tattoos.

So when people see one, they get scared and it's very bad for the business.

Another cultural aspect is that damaging skin or your body parts are considered bad and disrespectful to your parents.

So for the same reasons, piercing was not so popular for long long time in Japan until recently.

For a smaller tattoo, the best thing you can do it just cover it up with a water resistant/proof bandage. I know of teachers who do this during summer months when its too hot to wear a full length sleeve. I imagine you can do the same even in a water situation, as no one is going to be crass enough to demand you open a "wound." Just make sure it's resistant or proof, you don't want it coming off in the water!

Very true. But, this wouldn't work for a tattoo like the OP has. People with lots of bandages are not looked upon kindly in ANY public water, anywhere in the world.

Well of course not. But I meant no more than like a few inches around.

I know...I was just talking about the OP's case.

pools are fine.. bath houses nope.

i tried

i got my entire back done and they have no tattoo policy which is understandable. i wasnt very disapointed.

i never had problems at water parks or pools though.

Agreed, MMM. The sight of bandage raises worries about contaminating the water, because they would not know what was underneath. The size of the bandage makes no difference. And the only way for someone to know its not an open wound underneath is to disclose its a tattoo, defeating the purpose.

Tattoo ShowOff...!!!...!..!.!!!..!...
 

IF YOU HAVE A TATTOO.. PLEASE SHOW OFF!!!
___________

Hey everyone.. Today i got my first Tatoo...
I just wanted to know what u think about it :)
And i also want to know if u have any tatoos and if it hurt to make..
And if u want to have a tattoo in the future then tell what kind of tattoo u would like :)
I can tell you guys this really hurt to make.. i took 5 hours straight and it was all pain... Its just fucked up making a tatoo on the back bone.

Anyway.. Heres a picture with me and my new tatoo :D

Dude, That is niice!! Good job! What's it say?

I'd like to know what it says too.

I got one. But it didn't take long at all, was mostly just like outlines.

It's hard to explain.

It hardly hurt at all.

thats a painful place to get it at, owww, your poor spine!
hmm...i bet it's something about courage
*crosses fingers*

The second to last character has somewhat of the symbol for number 2.... so0o0o... Maybe two is in the sentence

Damn son, that looks like a ridiculous tattoo...lol I was thinking about getting a tattoo on the inside of my arm but maybe i should get it on my back instead haha

i like ure tattoo alot...and you have a good back for it too*

These eight Cardinal Words are used by the Chinese for self-improvement and personal development. Just like the Cardinal
Points of the Compass: North, South, East and West, these words
will help you to set your personal course in life.


Politeness:
This word means what it says: be polite in dealing with people.
No air-rage, no road-rage, say thank you, pardon me for occasions
which warrants it, and greet people with a nice good-morning and
a nice good-bye. Do it not as a hypocritical act but as a gesture of
respect for the other person. Do unto others what you want them
to do unto you. Be polite to people and they will respect you.

Righteousness:
Do what is right. The Chinese strongly believe that a person knows
what is right and what is wrong. The word itself is made up of 2 parts
or radicals. The top radical means 'sheep'. The bottom radical means
'myself'. The Lamb's redemption above my head. Sounds familiar?
All these words are for self-improvement, not self-righteousness.

Meekness:
Be demurred, do not boast. The Chinese believe that whoever is
strong, there is always one who is stronger. Whoever is smart will find
another person who is smarter. The other meaning of this word is "to
live within one's means" and not to spend lavishly. You have heard,
no doubt, of the saying "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit
the kingdom".

Shame:
Literally translated, this word means 'shame'. But in the context of
the other words, it means 'To know shame'. Have self-dignity, do not do things which are shameful.



Faithfulness:
Be faithful to your belief, to your country, friends and family, and
above all, be faithful to your own self. In other words, be honest to
others and do not lie to them, or to YOURSELF.

Courage:
Have the guts to stand up to your belief and stand up against
bullies.

Humanity:
Treat other people with civility and compassion. Have a 'Human
Face'. Do unto others what you like them to do unto you. The best
way to explain this word is the following brief story:
When John F. Kennedy was first elected to the White House, he
was briefed by the military about US and Soviet nuclear capabilities
and the method of using them. He was told that the US and the Soviet
Union have thousands of nuclear weapons aimed at each other's cities
and the method of use was 'Assured Mutual Destruction'. In a nuclear
war, the missiles would be released to blow each other into dust. Upon
hearing that, Kennedy was in extreme disgust. He rapped his front
teeth with his fingers and snarled, "We do this ? and we call ourselves
human beings ?"

Virtues:
Having good human qualities. Not just the above, but other qualities
such as patience, grace, restrain (Ninja means a person who restrains
himself, and NOT one who is running around and beating people up),
benevolence and others.

I must say that as a rule, I really hate tattoos. However.. that is f-ing awesome. One of the nicest tattoos I've seen. Seriously. And the fact that it actually means all that stuff you wrote makes it even cooler. That and (as was stated before) you have a nice back.. I mean that in a totally manly, hetero way.
>.>

<.<

>.>

Normally I would have advised against a tat that ran down the spine, but that is the exception that makes the rule I guess. With that design, it is the only place appropriate. And I cannot think of a much more appropriate design for the spine. Bravo, Gerard!

The reason I would advise against a spinal tat is, as you pointed out, its very painful. Fortunately a machine tat's needles don't go deep enough to be dangerous, but if you were to use some other more primative/traditional means, the punctures could go deep enough to cause problems. Spinal acupuncture is not for amateurs.

The reason this is so painful is there is no padding of the bone and cartilage to absorb the vibration and its the center for nerve bundling. The more muscle or fat you have to cushion the impact, the less painful the process should be. Another factor that surprises some people when they get their first armband is that if the tat is in area where that is not accustomed to external abrasion it can be more sensitive. The outside of your bicep is used to being brushed, banged or otherwise touched and tats there are minimally painful. But the inside of the upper arm is usually well protected from stimulous. When the needle first goes in, the nerves are not prepared for it and can fire off a surprising round of pain.

seems like u know alot about it... do you have tattoos urself??? if yes then what kind?

Wow O_O

Nice back...! I mean, nice tattoo... >.<'

I try to keep up. When I worked doing community lectures on blood-borne pathogens, as the kinky one of the crew I got to teach about tattoos and peircings. It was a nice excuse to spend more time in the shops and study. If I could draw some better than floor plans, I'd have second profession.

I have two - upper left arm and left thigh. I'll post the pics this weekend.

hhehe Cool...
I look forward to see it :)

In Japan, tatoos are considered anti-social, because they are associated with "yakuza" (gangsters). That's why I would personally not get one.

yeah but u live in England??? so why should it have anything to do with you?

Because I want to go to Japan next year (and maybe live there someday), and because I'm so interested in Japanese culture and care about what the Japanese think of tatoos, I do not want to wear a tatoo and cause offence to Japanese people.

I see... Well i go to Japan in July and i really dont care if they see my as a Gangsta or whatever lol..
even though i think they dont.. because they only think that way about asians with tattoos and not foreigners...
we are nothing like them soo xD...

anyway.. I understand you care.. and thats all right and pretty cool :D

Taln's Tats
 

these are my two.....


For some reason this insists on turning upside down, but the blurred kanji are kuma (bear) and gin (silver).

This is the link to the one on my arm because I haven't learned how to adjust the size for here. Image of Arm tattoo - Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting
Its the one that needs some re-inking. Its "M" with a shamrock & thistle intertwined (for the two repeated invaders of the Isle of Man that were my ancestors).

the first tatoo is awsome ...

Tattoo Artists/Designers??
 

I will help you . What designs are you wanting?

Attachment 6120

on my back left shoulder


I got when I was 19

Attachment 6121

and on my front right hip

I had got this one when I was 20

The idea of a tattoo is actually warming up to the younger crowds. The older generations still associate it with the yakuza since that is what they grew up with.

That being said, I still plan to get more tattoos done (although I'll need to fix my first one up), and do plan to return to Japan eventually. Just don't go flaunting them off to strangers like seems to be the norm in North America.

Personally, I like to keep mine where I can cover them with professional business attire.

I never get a clear shot, so here it is in pieces :p

Actually there are still many older Americans that react negatively to tattoos also. I have to wear sleeves at work to cover the one on my arm - Boss's orders. Its still considered inappropriate in many businesses.

thanks. I drew it myself too ^_^

Um yeah... well, my friend told me to bend over so she could take a pic of the darn thing :mtongue: but hey..at least the color match my top, right??

and about the avatar...yeah.... I was gonna do it, but I kinda like the hair of the blue woman... besides...I don't see anyone else using that picture ^^
Dunno what to put in the avatar either.. I don't have that small pictures :p