ah, pics can be resized easily. even using photobucket, if you use that?

minimizing pictures have never been a problem until you need to minimize them to some exact measures...that's when I usually screw up ^^

yeah, right now it does resemble my hair which hasn't been combed for like a week, cause I'm so darn lazy LOL
anyway...I might check it out later...don't have that many cool pictures...soooo yeah, we'll see ^^

I'd post my tattoo, but it would just be a repost... lol

you could always do it for lazy people like me who can't turn back pages :p

I never said the negative reaction was limited to asia. I keep mine covered during business hours as well (well, most of the time actually until I figure out how I can fix the damn thing with more detail).

The only businesses where tattoos are allowed to my knowledge are bars and bands.

I have seen some newer businesses (or ones trying to cater to the young workforce) where employees could have tattoo's visible, so long as they weren't flaunting it. But these were industries that did not deal with customers face to face.

nah... it was from 2007

wow - that's really nice! the spine though - ouch!

I'd post mine but I can't figure out how to get pictures from photobucket to here... oh well.

I'm American-Irish so when I was 18 I got a celtic shamrock. Then when I was 20 I got Riley (my last name) under that in green. The tail of the y kind of scrolls under the rest of the name and has bleeding hearts - so it looks like a bleeding heart vein with the flowers coming off from it. The bleeding hearts are for my grandparents :)

They're on my lower back.

(Here's what a bleeding heart looks like in case you don't know: (the flower) http://farm1.static.flickr.com/147/3...6c2b91.jpg?v=0 (and on the vein) http://www3.allaroundphilly.com/blog...t-1-736066.jpg)

wow...a whole year....:p

Tattoo Stigma in Japanese Society
 

I'd like to get an honest opinion on tattoo culture in Japan from Japanese people and/or foreigners (or at least people who know what they're talking about) who have tattoos and live in Japan.

I am well aware of the social limitations and barriers against people with tattoos in Japan. Many foreigners who have tattoos and have been refused service in onsen, public baths, amusement parks or swimming pools often complain and argue that it is a direct violation of the rights listed in the Japanese constitution. It's no secret that the stereotype is that all tattooed people in Japan are yakuza. However, I respect and understand the paradox as Japanese believe in maintaining the status quo, stability and benefit of the group over the individual. Therefore, I will respect the rules of any business that sees the preservation of its reputation as more important that individual expression. As to whether or not I think it's logical or realistic, that's another issue.

Here's the story: I am Japanese-Canadian that has only been on vacation once to Japan when I was young but will begin a full time job in Japan soon. I have a tattoo that covers my upper back and, coincidentally, contains many symbols or images that could be considered 'traditional yakuza' symbols such as waves, kanji and other traditional Chinese-inspired art. Some of you may be saying I'm just asking for it, but to put it short, the meaning behind that tattoo is important to me as a symbol of freedom and rite of passage instead of marking loyalty to any particular group. Therefore, my situation is different from people, for example, such as a Black US Marine in Okinawa who has tattoos; I am not an obvious gaijin.

Now to the point: After reading up on and asking people first-hand on the tattoo stigma in Japanese society, I would like to reach out to a broader group for experiences regarding this topic. How troublesome is having a tattoo in Japan in your daily routines and what are the reactions you get? I love baths and hot springs as well so are there any places you know that have a relaxed tattoo policy (eg. if I somehow cover it up with tape) that are not yakuza hang-outs in the Kansai area? Do you feel like the attitude of Japanese towards tattoos is changing enough for public display (I don't wanna scare away little kids if I'm wearing a beater in the summer heat)?

I'd like to thank anyone who took the time to understand my situation and offer supportive, realistic and helpful input.

Unfortunately things won't change anytime soon...

People would get scared but if you are non-Asian looking, people would be easy on you but still you would be rejected from public bath, hot springs, and pools.

That's just how it is and if you have someone Japanese in your family, he/she should have taught you how tattoos are viewed in Japan.

I see some people with tattoos not irezumi (word in Japanese that is often differentiated from tattoo) but I don't get them anyways cos having a small tattoo would limit your options.

For the businesses, it's bad to accept you cos if they do, that means now Yakuzas would claim that they should be allowed as well and it's gonna be chaotic as you can imagine.

Hmm, they can easily spot a gaijin. I am Canadian Chinese myself, I have the same feature and skin tone as any other Japanese, while I speak the language they were still able to spot me as a gaijin from miles away, so I don't know what you mean that you are not an obvious gaijin, but if that is the case, then you really are out of luck....

They are more lenient with a tatooed gaijin, some bath may actually let you enter, but probably not the onsen....

good luck, I am sure you will be able to find a public bath that lets you in, but it will not be easy.

The no tattoo policy is not anti-tattoo, but anti-Yakuza. They can't say "No yakuza" so that's how they get around it.

If they let you in, then they have to let them in. So don't expect leniency.

Yakuza tattoos are so interesting though. I wish I could find one of their tattoo artists for some ink for my body. :]

i've heard about how in japan, tattoo = yakuza from my dad.
however, today most jrock musicians have tattoos, and they are well respected, loved and admired. i think that because of this, the tattoo = yakuza thought is slowly diminishing as japan is getting more .. radical [?]. i mean, having piercings was really rare in japan before, but now people are getting them all over their face and bodies. just look at harajuku and you can see japan's culture change from being conservative to liberal. dyed hair, plastic surgery, etc.
i may be wrong, though. because my dad insists that the jrockers' tattoos must be temporary [uhm doubt it though.] but i think he's just old fashioned.

This is a sign from an onsen that basically says "Tattooed people, intoxicated people and gangsters will be refused service."

I hade friends and students in the Japan country side who said the other foriegn teacher, although friendly, were scary because of thier tattoos.

Don't mix pop stars with yakuzas.

Only reason why they can keep their tattoos are because they are famous.

That's it.

Famous people get away with many things everywhere you are in the world and it is also true in Japan as well.

I'm gonna give it to people straight.

Don't get tattoos if you want to come to Japan.

Or if you already have one, then you are out of luck.

It's not like they will deny you entry into Japan...

...so if you don't care about onsens and bathing in public, get those tattoos if ye want.

Well I think that's a bit excessive: Don't get tattoos if you want to come to Japan. It's not like I'm walking around shirtless everywhere I go.

An update: I asked two of my friends in Japan about this issue. One lives in the famed onsen mecca of Beppu and the other works in a bathhouse in Kyoto. Both of them gave me some hope.

The friend from Beppu asked around different onsen for my case and he found one place that said they were willing to accommodate since I'm technically a foreigner. My other friend who works in a bathhouse said as long as I manage to cover it with a towel and make sure other patrons don't notice it then I will be fine. Note that she works in a bathhouse and also has a tattoo on her lower back.

Anyways thanks for all the varying opinions. They were all quite useful.

lol - well it's not like i have a tattoo on my forehead! no one will notice them on my lower back unless i show them. i usually wear longer shirts so they won't even see them if i bend over... i don't think i'm going to get kicked out of the country for having them hahaha

those bands aren't "pop stars" and i'm not mixing them up .. i know the difference between the two. >_>
i'm just saying that because famous people have a lot of influence on society, that because they have tattoos, japanese people probably don't think they're as taboo as they used to.
and i think the others are right .. if you're always wearing a shirt you should be fine with a tattoo on your lower back or somethng.

How many average Japanese people have tattoos?

I would say almost none.

Also, you guys are missing one fact.

In Japan, hurting your healthy body that was given by your parents is considered disrespectful to your parents.

That's why yakuzas get one to show that they have no connections to their family members anymore by hurting themselves.

Personally, I don't have problems with tattoos but many people do.

So you can continue to take advices from those hipsters but just be aware that those people do not represent entire Japan and once you get to Japan, you would realize how conservative Japanese society is.

As I said, the reason the onsen have the tattoo rule has less to do with the culture of tattoos and has more to do with the culture of yakuza.

Lol my grandma was excited about my tattoo and even offered to pay for it. Not all Japanese see tattoos as a form of disrespect and not all Japanese will be ok with it. Same thing in the US and anywhere else in the world. In the end who cares? It's your body and you only live once. Every tattoo I have and will have has a personal and deep meaning to me, I'm not one to get spur of the moment meaningless tattoos. They will tell the tale of my life and if I ever end up dead in a duffel bag, it'll be easier to identify me :mtongue:

Lol MMM I've seen you copy and paste that many times but it'll never sink in for some people.

If your tattoos are very visible, such as on your neck, hands, or face, you may very well be denied entry.

HAHAHA, is it just me or does that kid LOOK drunk?!








Anyway, I read this thread a few days ago and thought of something.

In a public pool if I put a bandage over on tattoo about 3"X3" would that be acceptable or too obvious? Or would someone complain about a possible open wound which is what I would be TRYING to pass it off as?

I wasn't talking about just onsen but tattoos in general.

Yea, you are right.

Not all Japanese but most Japanese.

I guess you know nothing about Japan in depth so it's pointless to talk about it.

Yes, I know tommasi, and my comment wasn't necessarily directed to you. I know you know what you are talking about.

Hey, get tattoos and go to Japan if you want. But as I told you earlier, people (not all, but enough) will be intimidated and scared. It will not be healthy for socializing unless you only care about the opinion of 20 year old wanna-be's.

Wow! Reading this thread is sort of scary-ish to travel to Japan with innocent-meaning tatooes.

Before, I knew that tatooes were interelated with yakuza, but I didn't know it was this taboo!!

Thanks. I just wanted to make sure.

Yea, why would someone take advices from hipsters and use it as a credible source of information.

If I interview random people on the street regarding tattoos, I'm almost certain that 99% of them would give me negative feedback and non of them would pay for their grandchildren's tattoos.

My dad is very liberal and I thought he didn't care about tattoos.

He even said it would be OK for my girlfriend to get one if she wants to.

But when she got herself a fake tattoo painted on her lower back, he got so angry at her saying she damaged her healthy skin.

My girlfriend was so surprised and didn't realize until then how serious problem it is to get a tattoo in Japan.

People need to know that some cultural things do not cross-over very well.

Not many people have tattoos all over their face. And it's not very hard to have a hoodie/gloves for that matter either. It's not that common to have to strip down naked at the customs...

Um, He said it was OK to for her to get a tattoo, but then freaked out when she got a ...fake one? Gotta be confusing.

Try wearing a hoodie and gloves through customs and tell me you won't get delayed

(remember, they take everyone's fingerprint now)

yes i am aware that "purposely hurting your body" is disrespectful, as my dad reminds me all the time.
so therefore i don't understand why it is acceptable to get piercings [and i know there are japanese people who get plastic surgery but idk how many so i won't use that as an example here] but not tattoos. they're both "hurting your body". braces are, too, but again i'm not sure how many japanese people get those. well braces isn't "hurting your body" but basically anything to do with permanently altering appearance is supposed to be bad ..
and the cutting off family ties thing .. i never knew that .. but again, if so, shouldn't piercings be regarded as "taboo" as well?

also i'm not "taking advice" from "hipsters" .. i mean yes famous people get away with a lot but i didn't think getting away with such a serious issue is that easy .. for example if a famous person stole something they wouldn't be able to get away with it, they'd be regarded as a criminal.

and i'm sorry if i seem to be but i'm not trying to sound rude or anything .. i'm just trying to gain a better understanding here

Pierced ears is a relatively new concept in female fashion. I would bet if you looked at the ears of most women over 30 in Japan, they wouldn't be pierced. Still, the number of women that do it is in the minority (I believe). Many people see piercings as a bad as tattoos. When was a teacher there I was not allowed to wear an earring in my ear.

Plastic surgery happens, but not at nearly the rate it does in some other parts of the world. It's never obvious, unless you are Utada Hikaru. It seems like there is hardly a Korean starlet that HASN'T had something done, but I don't hear about Japanese talent getting work done as much as even American stars. Almost never. Porn stars are getting boob jobs more, I hear.

Very few people get braces, but it is becoming more common. Put it this way, braces were unheard of 20 years ago in Japan. I have seen a few people with braces in recent years, but even I am surprised when I see it.

And you don't think famous people can get away with more than regular folks?

Dude you don't have to look like the unabomber because you have a hoodie. You can wear the hood down and still cover your neck. Anyways that was just an example, there are other clothing choices to cover up those parts. When they ask you to remove your gloves, and thus your little hand-tattoo is revealed, do you _really_ think they would just go "no I'm sorry sir. You have a tattoo on your hand. We just can't let you in". You could also have cloves with not fingers, but that's not as classy :)

I'm sure you didn't think I meant to get covered up like you were gonna rob a frickin bank...