YAKUZA TATTOOS BANGKOK
Table of Contents
Yakuza tattoos have become a modern staple in the tattoo world
This wasn’t always the case considering the history and origin of these amazing designs
What were once punitive marks worn by gangsters, criminals, and untouchables in the Japanese society, these designs have now become a force to be reckoned with throughout the modern world
History Behind the Yakuza
The word yakuza literally translates to “good for nothing”
It is believed to have originated from a worthless hand in an old card game similar to blackjack
The cards ya-ku-za (8-9-3) ending up being the worst possible hand you could be dealt in this game
The Yakuza took this word and gave it their own meaning
To them it symbolized the bad hand they had been dealt in life, being part of the lower caste members in Japanese society
Japan had a tremendously strict caste system which was heavily enforced by the shogunate
The Yakuza were considered the undesirable and untouchables of Japanese society
These unfortunates did the grunt work or the jobs that no one else was willing to do
During the mid Edo period (1600-1868), two social classes emerged and it is believed that this is where the Yakuza originated from
The tekiya were ranked as the lowest of the low of Japans social groups
They stole, scammed, and peddled illicit goods
The bakuto were those who ran or participated in the running of illegal gambling enterprises and loan sharking businesses
It was during this period in Japanese history that tattoos were considered a form of punishment
At this time, only criminals and outlaws had tattoos
The government used tattoos to mark criminals
They would be placed on highly visible areas of the body such as the forehead or the limbs
In doing so, the individual would be ostracized by society, and no business would be willing to hire them
Eventually the Yakuza rebelled against this practiced form of punishment and embraced the tattoos, turning them into a revolutionary act and art form
The Yakuza groups grew in proportion, similar to modern mafia families
They banded together and were viewed as “Robin Hoods” for their many charitable acts
They ran gangs for survival and protection, not with the intent to further criminal activities or to harm people
They existed underground and tattooed themselves by choice not by punishment and learned to live in a society that thought them distasteful
The Origin of Yakuza Tattoos
Irezumi is the Japanese word for tattoo
It literally means “inserting ink”
This process is performed by hand, using wooden handles with metal needles attached using a silk thread
This method requires using special ink derived for the indigo plant
This ink is called “Nara” or “Zumi” ink
This type of ink oxidizes under the skin and changes to a blueish, green color
Generally, this ink was homemade from recipes that had been passed down for generations and was very limited in its color range
The inspiration for the irezumi style tattoo came from woodblock printing art
Oftentimes, the woodblock artist would be the tattoo artist as well
Using the same woodblock tools and techniques to etch and gouge designs into the skin, similar to the way that they worked with wood
This was a very painful, time consuming process
The bigger the tattoo and the more pain inflicted to complete the design meant that the Yakuza member had a higher commitment to the organization
This was a very ritualistic process and very often people gathered to watch a member get tattooed
The Yakuza hid their tattoos from the general public and only showed them to other members
Yakuza Tattoo Styles and Meanings
Yakuza tattoos can be colorful or complicated blackwork designs
The inspiration for these large and colorful tattoos was based on the woodblock art prints from hundreds of years ago
These designs are very meaningful and tailored to the specific person and their life story
Generally, these tattoos cover large portions of the body if not the entire body
If a design covers the entire body from shoulders to the legs it is called a bodysuit
A “hikae” design covers only the shoulders and arms
These designs symbolize a strong message of power and are an intricate part of the Japanese culture and art
These tattoos have deep meaning and specific symbols have important significance in the Yakuza culture
Here are few design options and the meaning behind them
Dragon
The most popular of the Yakuza design elements
These magical creatures have great unexplained power
Are rulers of the sky and generally placed near the upper part of the body
Japanese dragons have three claws and represent great strength and patience
They are magnificent creatures who rule over air as well as the sea and have the ability to control water
They symbolize the never-ending fight between heaven and earth and also represent endurance as this battle has no true winner or loser
Koi Fish
The Koi fish is closely connected to the dragon as they are believed to be one and the same and have transformative abilities
Ancient legends told of the koi swimming up the Yellow River in China
Traveling through rapids and over waterfalls to reach its destination at Dragon’s Gate
It is believed that the koi then turned into a dragon after passing through the Dragon’s Gate
Because of this legend they are known as a symbol of perseverance, overcoming great obstacles, tackling the next challenge, and accomplishing life’s goals
Tiger
Tigers are considered rulers of the earth
A dragon fighting a tiger represents the fight between good and evil
The tiger is a symbol of strength and perseverance and provides guidance in the afterlife
If there is a dragon and a tiger in the same design, the dragon will usually be above the tiger with the tiger facing upwards looking to the sky from the underworld
Tiger designs are typically placed on the lower part of the body
Phoenix
The phoenix symbolizes rebirth and triumph over extreme struggles
Flames represent spiritual cleansing
In Buddhism, fire is believed to purify negative energy
The phoenix also represents resurrection, life after death, and immortality as it was consumed by flames and reborn from the ashes
This mythical creature embodies adversity and trial by fire which transforms and renews the eternal spirit
Why ALL DAY Tattoo is Bangkok’s best choice for your yakuza tattoo?
Tattooing is not just our livelihood, it is our passion!
Once you step inside and experience the vibe for yourself, you will see how passionate we are about tattooing and everything that goes along with it from start to finish
At the end of your journey with us you will no longer be a client but part of the ALL DAY tattoo family!
We are easily accessible, in the heart of Bangkok located in the Sukhumvit area
Our top notch hygiene standards and procedures are why we are one of the only fully licensed tattoo studios in Bangkok
We have a team of fluent English speaking managers and artists who have years of experience and can assist you with bringing your tattoo design dreams to fruition
We have many clients that have expressed how shocked they are that their design looked more amazing than they could have even imagined
Let us add you to our list of satisfied clients who are now part of our ALL DAY family!