Growing up in a society where tattoos were often hidden and misunderstood, the allure of ink remained a captivating mystery. This was especially true when considering the world of Japanese Yakuza and their intricate, full-body tattoos. Unlike the often public displays of body art in the West, Yakuza tattoos, also known as Irezumi, embody a profound sense of privacy and deeper meaning. This unique approach to tattooing offers a fascinating insight into Japanese culture and the Yakuza ethos.
Horiyoshi 3, a legendary Irezumi tattoo artist, working on a Yakuza client
To understand this captivating world, we turn to Horiyoshi 3, arguably the most renowned Irezumi tattoo artist in Japan and favored by the Yakuza. Visiting his Yokohama studio offers a rare glimpse into this secretive art form and the philosophy behind it.
Inside Horiyoshi 3’s Studio: An Encounter with Tradition
The experience of visiting Horiyoshi 3’s studio is itself an immersion into a different world. Greeted by men in formal suits, the atmosphere is immediately distinct. The studio’s ambiance is one of focused intensity, with Horiyoshi himself deeply engrossed in his work. The silence, punctuated only by the buzzing of the tattoo machine and the occasional deep Japanese voices, creates an almost meditative environment. This setting underscores the serious and private nature of Yakuza tattoos.
Horiyoshi, during a break in his meticulous work on a Yakuza boss’s Koi fish tattoo, offers a glimpse into why Yakuza seek him out. “Yakuza always want the best,” he explains. “Everything must be first class. Their clothes, their cars, the places they go. They have pride and want to look good, so they come here.” This pursuit of excellence extends to their tattoos, viewed not as mere decoration but as a significant aspect of their identity and status within their world.
The Yakuza and Tattoo Stereotypes: Beyond Western Perceptions
In Western culture, the image of Japanese men with full body suits is almost immediately associated with the Yakuza. This connection is largely fueled by media portrayals, often leading to a simplified and sometimes negative stereotype. However, Horiyoshi offers a different perspective, highlighting the Yakuza’s complex role in Japanese society.
He points out that while the Yakuza are often portrayed as criminals, they also contribute positively to their communities. “When the earthquake happened,” Horiyoshi recalls, “they responded with aid faster than the government. Everyone left their homes, and it was the Yakuza that ensured nobody would be burgled.” This nuanced view challenges the one-dimensional image often presented in the West, suggesting a more intricate relationship between the Yakuza and Japanese society.
Young Yakuza members preparing for traditional Irezumi tattooing
Historical Roots: Punishment and Pride in Ink
The association of tattoos with criminality in Japan has historical roots. During the Edo period, tattoos were indeed used as a form of punishment for criminals. Symbols were tattooed on the back of necks to mark offenders, a stark contrast to the elaborate and voluntary tattoos of the Yakuza. However, this punitive origin has been reinterpreted and transformed within Yakuza culture.
Horiyoshi emphasizes that Yakuza tattoos are not about displaying criminality or intimidation. “Criminality doesn’t interest us. Neither does plastic intimidation,” he states. Instead, Yakuza tattoos are deeply symbolic, often depicting scenes from Japanese mythology and folklore. These intricate designs carry profound personal meaning and represent virtues like courage, loyalty, and resilience. Wearing symbols of punishment would be considered shameful, signifying petty crimes rather than the strength and honor the Yakuza aim to project.
Horiyoshi 3 meticulously wrapping the tattooed ribs of a client
Symbolism and Strength: The Hidden Language of Irezumi
Yakuza tattoos are not meant for public display. This secrecy is a crucial aspect of their meaning. While visible tattoos might be used to overtly declare gang affiliation, Horiyoshi suggests the Yakuza’s approach is more subtle and profound. “If the Yakuza want to use tattoos to show the public that they’re in a gang, they will simply wear visible tattoos,” he explains, “but they’re not that stupid.”
The term “ninkyō,” often associated with Yakuza, translates to helping the vulnerable. Yakuza tattoos, in this context, become a hidden declaration of inner strength and commitment to protect and aid those less powerful. “The tattoos are to show that they have the strength to help the weak,” Horiyoshi elucidates. This strength is not for outward show but for internal fortitude and commitment to their code.
Traditional Japanese decorations and gifts in Horiyoshi 3's studio
The Beauty of the Hidden: Japanese Aesthetics and Tattoo Taboo
Horiyoshi’s philosophy extends beyond the Yakuza context, delving into broader Japanese aesthetics. He explains his refusal to tattoo above the neck or on hands, stating, “I believe the beauty is in what you can’t see.” This concept is deeply ingrained in Japanese culture, where subtlety and suggestion often hold more weight than overt displays.
He draws a parallel to fireflies, whose beauty is only revealed in the darkness of night. “When something becomes fashion, it isn’t fascinating anymore,” Horiyoshi notes. In contrast to Western tattoo culture, which can often be driven by trends and visibility, Japanese tattoo culture, particularly within the Yakuza tradition, finds beauty in the hidden and the mysterious.
This appreciation for shadow and subtlety permeates Japanese art and culture. From dimly lit temples to Noh theatre performed in firelight, Japanese aesthetics emphasizes the interplay of light and shadow. “In Japanese culture we depict the light by exploiting the shadows,” Horiyoshi explains. “The shadow of the buddhas are more important than the faces of sculptures.” This principle applies to tattoos as well. The impact of Irezumi is enhanced by its private nature, revealed only selectively, creating a “mysterious light that’s hidden and beautiful.”
Young Yakuza member showcasing his extensive back piece tattoo
Drawn to the Darkness: Human Nature and Cultural Expression
Horiyoshi reflects on the human fascination with darkness, connecting it to the allure of hidden tattoos. “It’s human nature for people to be attracted to dark places,” he observes. This inherent attraction to the unknown and the mysterious further explains the captivating nature of Yakuza tattoos.
Just as Japanese architects consider shadows in their designs and traditional gardens utilize moonlight for dramatic effect, Irezumi thrives in its veiled existence. The artistry is not diminished by being hidden; instead, its mystique and impact are amplified.
Yakuza elder displaying a detailed koi fish tattoo on his leg
Artisan or Artist? Defining the Craft of Irezumi
Despite the undeniable artistry of his work, Horiyoshi resists the label of “artist,” preferring to be called a “craftsman” or “artisan.” He questions the very definition of art, observing how the perception of art is fluid and dependent on context and recognition.
He points to traditional Japanese scrolls where “the ultimate form of art for that medium is when there is no painting on the scroll.” The beauty lies in the space and the viewer’s imagination. Similarly, he sees the Japanese tea ceremony as art, blurring the lines between craft and art. For Horiyoshi, the essence of his work lies in the dedication to his craft, the mastery of technique, and the profound cultural significance embedded in each tattoo, regardless of labels.
Horiyoshi 3 in his studio, surrounded by his craft
In conclusion, Yakuza tattoos are far more than mere body decoration. They are a deeply ingrained cultural phenomenon, reflecting Japanese aesthetics, historical contexts, and the complex identity of the Yakuza. Unlike the often-exhibitionist tattoo culture in the West, Irezumi thrives in its secrecy, finding power and beauty in the hidden, the symbolic, and the profound connection to Japanese tradition. They represent a fascinating intersection of art, culture, and identity, offering a glimpse into a world where ink speaks volumes in silence.
