Yakuza tattoo Meanings: Japanese Irezumi art – KimuraKami

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Loyalty, courage, dedication, justice, honor, tattoos stem from a highly codified art that is an integral part of Japanese culture. Find the history of tattooing Yakuza.

But first, let's look at the history of the Yakuza mafia. And let's find out together why these inhabitants of the rising sun mark their bodies with the ink of the needles and bamboo of the Irezumi tattoo artists ?

Who are the Yakuza, the Japanese mafia?

The Yakuza are a collection of Japanese mafia groups, whose history dates back to at least the Edo period. Like most gangs found all over the planet, the Yakuza live a life of crime. Racketeering, underground gambling, arms dealing and the like are their daily lives.

Like many gangs in the United States, the Yakuza have developed their own style of tattooing . A unique style, which can be found both within the Japanese underworld but also internationally and in the West...

As for the origin of the Yakuza, it is a bit unclear. Originally, Japanese gangsters originated from groups of gamblers, bettors or swindlers, who fought against the government during the Edo era.

The etymology of the Yakuza is a bit vague. This word "Yakuza" comes from the name of a bad hand in a card game played by these criminal groups and members of the lower Japanese castes. The term also refers to their (often very lowly) social classes and how badly they were treated in life.

Yakuza full body tattoo wearing a fundoshi

Nowadays, it is not easy to tell the difference between a Japanese businessman and a Yakuza. Indeed, the latter often wear suits like ordinary businessmen. They have offices, headquarters and business cards. They have even diversified their assets and expanded into the financial world.

However, you will never see their tattoos. That's right, they cover their tattoos with their clothes because this body art is very frowned upon in the land of the rising sun. Because the art of body tattooing is immediately associated with members of a Yakuza clan . For example, some Onsen prohibit tattooed people in their facilities.

What is a Yakuza tattoo?

Yakuza tattoo

Yakuza tattoos are specific to each member of the Japanese mafia. They represent what the person wants to show the world. For example, Yakuza samurai tattoos are very popular because they show that the individual is a warrior at heart, who does not let fear alter his choices.

This Japanese style of tattooing usually covers the entire body, from the shoulders to the legs. The vast majority of these tattoos focus on Shinto mythology and Yakuza history. One of the sources of inspiration for this highly codified art, are the ancient woodcuts dating back hundreds of years, which have always served as the basis of inspiration for the colorful tattoos.

At the time, the tattoo artist was often the woodcut artist himself and used the same techniques used for woodcut art. The artist would begin by carving designs into the client's skin using Nara ink (Nara being the area where the famous ink stick originated).

This ink has a peculiarity: it turns a blue-green color when it is under the skin. The dragons, tigers and flowers, used for Yakuza tattoos come from a story/novel called Suikoden.

Also, the Yakuza believed that the stronger the pain the higher the member's commitment to the group and the cause. This is one of the reasons why Yakuza tattoos cover the entire body. The Yakuza tattoo is a very popular way to show off your skills.

The Yakuza tattoo is a real ritual. They would even ask people to watch them get tattooed, as a witness to their commitment (like a wedding witness). Afterwards, they would display their artwork only to other members of the various Yakuza clans.

The Yakuza tattoo and its history

Traditional Japanese tattoo

In Japan, there was a strict caste system enforced by the shogun who suppressed those of the burakumin (Meaning "hamlet/village people") class the most. Some of them were criminals, while others worked at jobs that no one wanted to do in Japanese society at the time. They faced extreme discrimination from the government and upper class. They were forced to work in the streets of the city.

They were forced to stick together to survive. That is why the family spirit is very present in these mafia groups. In the middle of the Edo period of Japanese history (1603-1868), there were two main burakumin groups, both of lower rank in society, which later formed the basis of the early Yakuza.

The tekiya were a group that stole or swindled goods and sold them, and the bakuto...