Tattoos in Japan lost their social acceptability during the Kofun period (300 AD – 600 AD). In some areas, they became something of a form of punishment for criminals: … See more

The style of tattoos we’ve come to recognize as Japanese has its origins in the Edo period (1600-1867). As we’ve already mentioned, the 17thcentury is when tattoos began gaini… See more

Although tattooing became legal again in Japan in 1948, the practice is still largely frowned upon. Importantly, tattoos were legalized not by Japan’s own government, but by the … See more

Traditional Japanese tattoos are rich in symbolism, often using images of animals and flowers. This is a reflection of the importance of nature, real and mythical, in Japanese c… See more