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Walk into any Japanese onsen or bathhouse and one of the first things you’ll notice is a sign that does not allow tattoos. I have heard often that tattoos are not allowed in onsens because they’re tied with Japanese organized crime in the Yakuza, but what’s the history behind it? Why, after all, are tattoos such a big deal in Japan.
Well, I was surprised to find out that tattoos actually have a very rich history in Japan, and will explore the rich history behind tattoos in Japan in the form of the Irezumi, traditional Japanese tattoos.
The etymology of Irezumi
Irezumi is a word in Japanese that directly translates to English “inserting ink”. The Japanese tattoo had its own distinct style over the centuries, usually done by hand using wooden handles and metal needles attached to silk. In Japan, there’s a special ink called zumi that is required in traditional Japanese tattooing. The tattoo artist is called a Horishi and usually has a lot of apprentices working under him.
