The Perceptions on Piercings and Tattoos in Japan
2022
3/09
It’s often said that if you go to Japan with piercings and tattoos, people will judge you for it. And this has historically been true. While there are no laws against getting tattoos and piercings, they carry a negative connotation in Japanese society. Although times are changing and the younger generation in Japan is more embracing of tattoos and piercings, there is still a general stigma.
So where did this stigma come from? During the Edo period, tattoos were actually common amongst criminals. These criminals were given tattoos as a permanent punishment for their crimes. This allowed other citizens to identify them once they are released, and know to steer clear. Continuing the same negative connotation, sex workers would get tattoos as a symbol of loyalty to their regualr customers. Since these two reasons for getting tattoos were prevalent in Japan, it’s easy to see how people would shy away from getting tattoos for fun when other people got them for much darker purposes.
Piercings, on the other hand, are not as taboo as tattoos are in Japan. However, noth piercing and tattoos are forbidden in schools, which is not surprising considering most Japanese schools also require uniforms. Much like in the west, women getting their ears pierced is not uncommon, but other areas are often frowned upon. Especially if you get a face piercing, the older population will likely think of you poorly. A 2013 survey showed that 85.3% of the population in Japan did not have piercings, while only 14.7% did. It is likely that these numbers have changed in the past 9 years, however the majority of the population still have not gotten piercings.
Today, criminals no longer get tattooed for their crimes, however there is still an assumed connection between gangs and tattoos. The Yakuza is a gang that engages in criminal activities such as racketeering, organized gambling, and prostiution. Tattoos are associated with the Yakuza gang because they are an important part of an individual’s membership in Yakuza. This is because each member gets their personal depictions, or attributes that they are known for, tattooed on their body in symbols when the tattoo master deems them ready. Many gang members get a lot of tattoos spreading all over their bodies. In fact, the tattoos of the Yakuza are such a symbol of their organization that people that like tattoos join Yakuza because of the tattoo art.
Today, perceptions on tattoos and piercings are certainly loosening up, but sometimes businesses can bar you from entering if they see you have tattoos or face piercings.The Tokyo Olympics actually made a lot of people in Japan reconsider their views on tattoos in comparison to the west which is far more accepting of tattoos. Still, young people who have tattoos often use waterproof skin-tone bandages to cover their tattoos so they can get into onsens, pools, and gyms. Perhaps in the future attitudes towards tattoos and piercings in Japan will improve, but for now its best to be aware of the judgment that you may experience when showing off your body art and piercings in Japan.
Writer: Kayley Hill
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