Job Discussion Forums

[Damd]

Hiya.

It�s recently come to my attention that tattoos are pretty taboo in Japan. But how taboo are they? I have a large tiger on my right shoulder and a yin yang surrounded by the Japanese characters for �justice� �wisdom� �courage� and �willpower� on my left shoulder. While I would of course hide my tattoos while teaching a lesson or whenever I was in a professional situation, would it be prudent for me to hide them in society in general? Like� if I�m taking a shower at my local gym are people going to freak out when they see my tattoos? Or say� it�s a really hot day and I want to wear a tank top, should I worry that my tattoos will offend young and old alike? And the one that�s really weighing heavily on my mind� would seeing my tattoos be a �deal-breaker� in a romantic situation for a Japanese girl?

[Glenski]

I've just come back from the shopping mall where I saw a young Japanese lady (late teens, early 20s) sporting two large tattoos that protruded from under her tank top. So, as far as general public goes, I think you would be safe, although expect stares.

Where you would run into problems would be public baths or hot spring resorts. If you look Asian, they might suspect you are connected to the yakuza. If you don't, they still might hold it against you. Don't really know, but be prepared.

Society in Japan is changing, along with hair color, body piercings, and tattoos.

[JimDunlop2]

I just got back from the beach.. I saw MANY Japanese people with tattoos. As Glenski said, just don't try getting into an onsen (hot spring). Some allow it, but many do not. The signs out front will usually tell you.

Just make sure that your tattoo actually says "justice, wisdom, courage, willpower" and NOT "crazy diarrhea" http://www.hanzismatter.com/2005/02/crazy-diarrhea-legend-continues.html

OR "My abusive husband pimps me out" http://www.hanzismatter.com/2004/12/abusive-husband-pimps-me-out.html

Other than that... Don't worry about it.

[stillnosheep]

No, No. Don't believe them. They're setting you up for a hit.

Tattoos are taboo in Japan for the simple reason that public display of a tattoo is taken as a direct challenege to those sporting 'opposing' body decoration. A little like walking into an Angels' bar wearing Outlaw colours or vice-versa.

And right now the "�justice� �wisdom� �courage� and �willpower�" just don't cut it. At the moment the "'injustice' 'ignorance' 'cowardice' and 'what the hell is that word that means the opposite or willpower? Who gives a monkeys anyaway? I can't be bothered to think about it any more'" are in the ascendency. Displaying your tatts in a public place is liable to get you shot.

And stay away from women. All women. They are all secret agents of the "'injustice' 'ignorance' 'cowardice' and 'what the hell is that word that means the opposite or willpower? Who gives a monkeys anyway? I can't be bothered to think about it any more'" waiting only to stick a knife between your ribs. All of them! All of them I tell you!

[AndyH]

Damd,
I assume you aren't in Japan yet. Where will you be? If you are headed to Tokyo, I wouldn't worry too much about it. Tats are far less accepted here than in Europe or North America, but with the young crowds in Shibuya and Shinjuku, they're pretty hip. If you want to join a health club, however, you'll have some difficulty.

[markle]

I have a Japanese friend that intends to become an apprentice tatooist. Then again Tada always was a bit of a rebel.

[Bozo Yoroshiku]

[AndyH]

Good for you, Boz! I guess I'm lucky I don't have any (I was in the tattoo artist's chair once, when I was 20 years old, about to get "US Marine Corps, Death Before Dishonor" with a skull w/ bloody knife in its mouth, before my buddy pulled me out and told me I was too drunk to get a tattoo), because the sports clubs near where I live won't allow them. A co-worker of mine even had to show health club staff his bare arms, shoulders, and legs before they'd let him join.
Do you live in a large urban area like Tokyo, Boz? I'd guess that they're probably more places that allow them there.

[Bozo Yoroshiku]

[AndyH]

I live in Chiba, and even though there are other gaijin here, it's probably a tadbit more conservative than parts of Tokyo. I lived in Korea before coming to Japan, but the issue of gyms and tattoos was irrelavant for me there.

[ndorfn]

I've had trouble in public baths, gyms, and hot springs. It will depend on the particular place you go to.

There are lots of locals with tatts in some places, just come back from my local okonomiyaki shop, I was wearing a singlet revealing my tatts, and two guys showed me there's (which, tellingly, were hidden).

As they say in Japan, case by case.

[Damd]

Glenski- I don�t look very Asian (i.e. I�m 6�4��, brown hair, and have a full goatee), so I doubt anybody will mistake me for a member of the yakuza (I�m assuming the yakuza don�t recruit non-Japanese members). Kinda sucks that some people still might hold my tattoos against me.

JimDunlop2- Thanks for your concern, but I�ve had a Japanese friend of mine tell me what my tattoos mean� Lol, �crazy diarrhea�, eh? I�d have to break out a cheese grater if I got that on my arm.

AndyH- Yeah, I�m not in Japan yet. I�m hoping to go to Osaka (don�t know exactly where though)� That�s pretty messed up that your friend had to show he had no tattoos before joining a health club. I wonder if the same is true for a martial arts place�?

[lajzar]

work - if the tattoos are hidden with normal work clothing, they will not be a problem, unless you go out of your way to discuss them at your interview.

onsens and gyms - expect problems. Many people claim to have had memberships retroactively withdrawn when tattoos were discovered.

dating - depends on the girl. esid. Bear in mind that a lot of the 'tattoos' you see on hip young women are actually transfers or even henna, not permanent tattoos.

[rai]

I've been in Japan for five years now, and I've been a member of five different health clubs (1 in Nara, 1 in Nagano, and 3 in Osaka) and ALL pf them have strictly banned tattoos. They all asked me if I had any when I joined. One time I asked, "Nande? Yakuza mitai?" ("Why? Do I look like a yakuza?") thinking I was being clever,and the temperature dropped about twenty degrees.

They take it very seriously because that is how they keep out Yakuza. Unfortunately, in order to not unfairly selectively enforce the rule, they ban ALL tattoos. Sorry man, in general they just don't mean the same thing they do back home. In a health club ya gotta keep 'em covered.

[cevanne]

Yes I think it depends on where you go on whether they enforce the rules or not. I've heard health clubs are quite strict or places like SpaWorld can be quite strict. But I went to Arima onsen ( I have 2 tattoos) and they said nothing. Of course I am a 5'9 white girl.