In last week's video. We explored the history of Japanese tattoos from prehistory up until the 19th century.
..and found out why tattoos have become taboo in Japan.
Of course, the main association people make when they hear Japan and tattoos is with the yakuza and their impressive full-body tattoos have played a role in keeping this culture alive..
But it's not the whole picture...
..today, we're going to explore how Japanese tattoo art has evolved and advanced in spite of its criminalization.
As discussed last week, Emperor Meiji's tattoo ban in 1872 drove tattooing underground.
Tattooing was picked up by those participating in criminal activities such as...
..prostitution and gangs.
At this time low ranking Geisha or prostitutes were forced to get tattoos as a way to show their devotion to a particular patron or gang.
In 1948, following the war a full-on ban on tattoos was lifted.
However, the stigma attached to it has been very difficult to shake to this day.
Yakuza tattoos remained as a rite of passage..
..symbolizing their defiance of the government and social society.
But also their loyalty to their country's rich heritage and what they considered their faction within that heritage.
Yakuza members often Tattoo themselves with the gang's badges, emblems and symbols.
Such is the devotion to the art that some of them have opted to have their tattoos preserved after death through....
...skinning.
I'll leave it to you to make your own judgment on that one.
At this stage you might be wondering if tattooing has progressed beyond this criminal aspect and the answer is yes....
but not without its struggles...
The saved tattooing movement in Japan typifies this.
This movements advocates vocates that tattoo artists should not need to hold a medical doctorate to practice their art.
A number of Osaka based artists including Taiki Masuda..
...who is featured in this clip have been persecuted by police due to a strict and conservative interpretation of healthcare laws..
Centering on whether one must be an MD to tattoo legally.
So what are Japanese tattoo artist struggling for and where is the art going in?
In present-day, Japan tattoo artists and enthusiasts are striving to promote the art as something to be celebrated as a unique part of Japan's cultural heritage
For example, the talented Taku Oshima is reviving Jomon Era tattoos.
In doing this, he promotes tattoos as a legitimate art form seperate and distinct from any criminal association.
Oshima-sans approach is to speak the cultural relevance of these tattoos into existence in spite of the potential nay-sayers.
Take a listen to this perspective.
Another great example is Abe Koya, who transcribes Japanese art onto skin in traditional European art pieces..
..perhaps to make a statement that the canvas used does not determine the merit of the art.
Meanwhile Hisashi Tenmyouya's paintings juxtapose traditional Japanese techniques and themes with the contemporary...
In an effort to show you Yamatto Damashi, the traditional Japanese spirit
He often highlights tattoos as a central part of that heritage.
It seems that slowly the way that tattoos are perceived in Japan may be coming full circle, but there are those like Taiki Masuda.
..who are still fighting for the right to practice their art.
Hey guys, thanks for watching.
So this is going to be our last video for a few weeks...as some of you may know I live out here in North Carolina.
And I live here with my wife Megan who has a master's in cultural heritage..and we kind of make the videos together.
Needless to say I'm Irish and we are going to be taking a trip back to Ireland for two weeks.
We are going to be taking a trip back to Ireland for two weeks or planning to shoot a video out there at Dun Aengus in Inish Mor.
So we'll have that for you when we come back. Thanks again to everybody who has subscribed and watched the videos.
Alright, thank you for watching..take care
