Go Tokyo Your Experience
In the past, people with tattoos were banned from entering public bathhouses in Japan because tattoos were associated with dangerous elements linked to organized crime. However, as societal attitudes have gradually become more open, many places have relaxed these restrictions, allowing people with tattoos to enter. YouTuber “Cai-san” recently shed light on the significance of tattoos in Japanese culture, revealing that in the past, facial tattoos were used as a form of punishment for criminals, establishing a connection between tattoos and rebellion.
During the Edo period in Japan, facial tattoos were used to punish criminals. For instance, in the Chikuzen Province of Kyushu, first-time offenders might have a single character tattooed on them, and repeat offenders would continue to receive tattoos until, by the third offense, the characters would form the word “犬” (dog), marking them for serious crimes. Cai-san explained, “This connection to defying authority gradually linked tattoos with outlaws.”
Additionally, Japan developed a unique tattoo style during the Edo period called “wabori,” which is distinct from Western tattoos. Cai-san noted, “While tattoos are seen more as a fashion trend today, wabori holds deeper cultural significance.” Starting in 1872 during the Meiji era, Tokyo Prefecture officially banned tattoos, and this prohibition gradually extended throughout Japan, including Okinawa and Hokkaido. These legal restrictions also suppressed the tattoo traditions of indigenous peoples, viewed as a means of cultural oppression. Cai-san pointed out, “As a result, tattoos increasingly became associated with anti-social behavior, creating a hidden aesthetic among the brotherhood.”
This evolution of perception reflects Japan’s complex attitude toward tattoos, from historical associations with criminals to contemporary cultural shifts and legal restrictions.