In the Edo period, tattoos were used as a form of "penal tattooing" to permanently mark criminals on their foreheads or arms, making their "otherness" impossible to hide.
Let us move from the social to the physical. In the West, taboos are often moral (sins against God). In Japan, taboos are often ritualistic (impurity vs. purity). taboo japanese style
: Large, colorful backpieces featuring motifs like dragons, koi, or deities are still strongly linked to the Yakuza (organized crime), making them a powerful visual taboo in polite society. 2. Death and Funeral Rituals In the Edo period, tattoos were used as
And what of desire? Japan is famous for its "weird" erotica, its hentai , and its love hotels. This, too, is a function of the taboo. When public life is so rigid, so controlled by tatemae , the private desires must find an escape valve. The "perverse" is not a celebration of liberation; it is a reaction to suppression. The more the public face is smiley and polite, the darker the shadows behind the curtain become. In Japan, taboos are often ritualistic (impurity vs
: Even today, many Japanese onsen (hot springs) , gyms, and public pools prohibit anyone with visible tattoos.