Tattoo

Japanese Name

いれずみ

irezumi

Description

Tattoo (irezumi) is a form of body art that involves the practice of inserting ink or pigment into the skin to create permanent designs or images. In Japan, tattoos, known as irezumi, have a long history and have been both revered and stigmatized depending on the cultural and social context.

Tattooing is the practice of marking the skin with ink or pigments, dating back thousands of years.
The oldest known tattoos were found on the mummified body of Ötzi the Iceman, over 5,000 years old.
Ancient Egyptians, Polynesians, and indigenous peoples around the world used tattoos for spiritual, social, and medicinal purposes.
In Japan, traditional tattoos, known as irezumi, developed elaborate designs and were associated with both art and criminal culture.
European sailors helped spread tattooing globally in the 18th and 19th centuries, popularizing maritime and cultural motifs.
Today, tattoos are a widespread form of personal expression, art, and cultural identity worldwide.