The Yakuza gangs most likely originated from groups of gamblers or con artists, or even a band of good samaritans who were fighting against the samurais employed by the government.
The name Yakuza came from the name of a bad hand in an old card game these groups of criminals and lower caste members would play.
Metaphorically, this referred to how they were dealt a bad hand in life with being part of the lowest part of society.
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They cover their tattoos with their clothes because only one percent of Japanese citizens have tattoos and they are still highly stigmatized in their culture.
For example, samurai Yakuza tattoos are popular because they show that the individual is a warrior who does not let fear consume them and whose decisions are noble.
One such source of inspiration is woodblock prints dating back hundreds of years, which were always used as the basis of inspiration for large and colorful tattoos.
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Back in the day, the tattoo artist often was the woodblock artist themselves, and they used the same principles used with woodblock art: the artist would etch and gouge designs into the client’s skin using nara ink.
In addition, the story Suikoden, a tale about heroic men and bravery, was used as a basis for dragons, tigers, and flowers to be used as Yakuza tattoos.
The Yakuza believed more pain in the tattoo and a larger tattoo meant that the member had a higher commitment to the group.
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However, they hide their artwork when in public with even high-necked shirts and often only show off their tattoos to other Yakuza members.
However, we have found a good amount of information about the tales of their origin and history up until the present day.
Came the tradition of cutting off the first joint of the little finger in order to punish a group member for doing something wrong.
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Also, if a Yakuza member decided they wanted to leave the gang for whatever reason, they would suffer losing their little finger and therefore always be branded as a former Yakuza member.
This was a revolutionary idea because these groups were taking punishment tattoos (often put on people’s foreheads and limbs) meant for outlaws, and reinventing their usage into a way to express themselves.
These criminal tattoos were placed in noticeable places by the government for each criminal, completely ostracizing that person, and stopping any business from hiring them.
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Around this time, the Yakuza was becoming a known group, and tattoos were outlawed in Japan and only criminals or outlaws had tattoos.
Yakuza culture grew in huge proportions despite the crackdowns, and they existed in the underground, tattooing themselves and learning how to better live in a society that didn’t put them in its good favors.
In modern-day Japan, the Yakuza extort, smuggle, blackmail, run prostitution rings, engage in drug trafficking, run restaurants and bars, and many other businesses in Japan.
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They are seen as running their gangs for protection and survival, by legal and illegal means, rather than having the exclusive purpose to go out and hurt people.
For example, the leader of the Yamaguchi Gumi, one of the most powerful Yazuka groups today, actually spoke to a newspaper and described his sect of the Yakuza as essentially a charitable entity that exists to help Japanese citizens when they are in trouble.
Many people in the merchant class, dockworkers, construction workers, and anyone in a tough field of work started getting tattoos in Japan when the Yakuza were first being formed.
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However, there was still a lot of stigma against it because it was still seen as a label for criminals and an act that was against the beliefs of Confucianism.
In the late year of 1948, the ban against tattoos was lifted in Japan, but there was still an association in Japan of tattoos with criminal activity and the Yakuza.
It is common for those who have tattoos in Japan to get them on the upper limb so it is not seen when wearing short sleeves, or on the chest, back, or upper legs.
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Even today, many Japanese places of business still discriminate against anyone with visible tattoos and won’t give a job to someone with tattoos because they are still seen as being criminals or part of the Yakuza.
From the bottom of the neck down to the ankles (and including the rear), Yakuza tattoos are known for being both bold and large.
Since in Japanese culture, dragons are rulers of the sky, they are typically placed near the top of the body in Yakuza culture.
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Japanese dragon tattoos symbolize the fight between heaven and the Earth, and this signifies great strength and patience because this battle never truly ends and never has a winner or a loser.
Therefore, they often get samurai tattoos on their bodies to represent the importance of having a code of honor (although they were enemies with the samurai early on in history).
It also symbolizes motivation to get up that waterfall, whatever that symbolizes to you, and to not be afraid to pursue your dreams.
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Overall, koi fish tattoo is completely Yakuza because it shows that you have overcome great obstacles and are ready for the next challenge.
The story of this mythological creature is the epitome of starting fresh, which could mean starting new with the Yakuza, or for those who are Yakuza admirers, it could mean starting a new path in life and metaphorically burning the old one to ashes.
The Yakuza snake tattoo is often a large back or chest piece, and it symbolizes both negative aspects such as bad luck and poor health and positive characteristics such as power and wisdom.
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For the Yakuza, this tattoo could very well mean that there is a power that comes from going through bouts of bad luck and illness, and the power you achieve from these struggles can make you wise and mighty.
Their unique pride in having tattooed bodies, but not showing their tattoos in public, makes the Yakuza tattoos an interesting part of Japanese culture.
You can have a taste of the Yakuza tattoo at your local tattoo shop if you choose a Yakuza symbol and follow the guidelines of body placement, however, it’s best to get one done that is using the stick-and-poke style in a shop that practices traditional Japanese tattooing.
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Although we mentioned the ancient way of carving the ink into the client’s limb, for hundreds of years now Yakuza tattoo artists have been using metal needles (or bamboo if it’s old school), and hand poking ink into the client.
This ink is often homemade, and limited in its palette because the artists use ink types that have been passed down for generations.
I find different styles and concepts of tattoos very intriguing because not only are tattoos such as Yakuza tattoos a style but they are an entire belief system and cultural relic that has lasted for hundreds of years.
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If you decide to honor their tradition, however, you choose to do it, you will be following a historic path of tattoo history.
During the mid-Edo period of Japanese history (1603-1868), there were two main groups of burakumin, both low ranking in society, that would most likely form the basis of the early Yakuza. During this time, people from the lower castes of society were developing their own tattoos, called
, which are the basis for today’s Japanese decorative tattoos. This was a revolutionary idea because these groups were taking punishment tattoos (often put on people’s foreheads and limbs) meant for outlaws, and reinventing their usage into a way to express themselves. These criminal tattoos were placed in noticeable places by the government for each criminal, completely ostracizing that person, and stopping any business from hiring them. Around this time, the Yakuza was becoming a known group, and tattoos were outlawed in Japan and only criminals or outlaws had tattoos.
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Therefore, the Yakuza were embracing their own heritage and revolutionary rebelling against society with their tattooed bodies. Today, they dress like regular Japanese businessmen and have expanded into the financial world in addition to their affiliations. They cover their tattoos with their clothes because only one percent of Japanese citizens have tattoos and they are still highly stigmatized in their culture.
Alyssa Renee McCormack is a writer, curator, and photographer who publishes articles on the topics of the arts, culture, and social justice. She graduated from the Fashion Institute of Technology with a degree in fashion business and art history and museum professions. Her experience working with a variety of art institutions, her world travel, and her inquisitive nature provides her with a unique insight. Check out her about page, she would love to connect with you!Throughout the early days of time, the Yakuza have been inextricably linked to the Japanese Irezumi inking custom. Tattoo meanings in the Yakuza are frequently connected to representations and meanings found in Japanese art, tradition, and religion. Particularly body tattoos are really a way for the yakuza to exhibit their beliefs. In the past, getting inked was required for membership in several Yakuza gangs.
Japanese tattoos with its culture is a famous piece in the world of tattoos. So there are many people who are a big
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