Irezumi refers to a tattoo drawn in the body of a person and is considered to be a traditional form of art in Japan. It was developed in the Edo Period (1600 - 1868), wherein improved decorative designs were handmade by skilled artists.
Tattoo flourished in the early times of 300BC and were believed to have spiritual meanings. But not until 300AD, tattoo became associated with criminals and was used a punishment for their wrongdoings.
When the Meiji Period (1868 - 1912) came, the Japanese government banned the painting of tattoo, in order to gain a respectable image among the Western. Regardless of this crucial situation, the traditional tattooing still continued their sessions in secret. Finally in 1948, tattooing became legalized in Japan but the negative connotation of tattoo to criminality and its relation to the Yakuza did not leave the minds of the people.
The creation of an irezumi solely depends on the tattoo artist. Following the tradition of hand poking or inserting the ink beneath the skin and drawing intricate designs. Not only that the procedure is painful. It is also expensive and requires a long time to get done.
In the modern times, tattoo became more acceptable to the society and is now deemed to be a fashion statement. However, establishments such as onsens or public bath houses prohibited customers with tattoo to enter. There are also companies that do not accept applicants with tattoo.
There has been an extreme decline in the number of irezumi artists today, with no more than 300 artists all over Japan. Irezumi artists are not usually based in Tokyo and can be found in remote cities of Japan. If you wish to have one, you can try to look at them online.
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