The Underground Art of Traditional Japanese Tattooing
There are many ways to look at a dragon. In The Japanese Tattoo, a new photobook by writer and photographer Manami Okazaki, one can begin with the obvious pleasures: the curve of its body across a man’s back, the dense black of sumi ink sunk deep into skin, the waves and clouds that carry it […] The post The Underground Art of Traditional Japanese Tattooing appeared first on Tokyo Weekender .
In The Japanese Tattoo, photographer Manami Okazaki presents a comprehensive exploration of wabori, traditional Japanese tattooing. The book delves into sumptuous details, showcasing full-body tattoos and the craftsmen who create them. Across 240 pages, Okazaki's photographs capture both the finished works and the people behind them, tracing the tradition back to Edo-period Tokyo and its working-class culture.
Okazaki's entry into this world was accidental; as an 18-year-old in Japan, she was inspired by a book on traditional tattooing and sought out a renowned master. Her first tattoo experience was a humbling introduction to Japanese craftsmanship, emphasizing that a tattoo is not merely ink on skin, but a cultural experience.
Edo's firefighters, for example, used tattoos to signify their dangerous trade and foster camaraderie. Dragons, associated with water and rain, were particularly fitting for these men. Similarly, the yakuza adopted wabori for initiation, intimidation, and status, with specific motifs carrying unique meanings. The link between wabori and organized crime, however, has weakened due to anti-crime laws and societal changes, leading to a decline in such clients.
Despite this, Okazaki observes a slow increase in the acceptance of tattoos in Japanese society, partly due to their growing popularity as fashion statements. As the book concludes, Okazaki's focus shifts to the traditional masters remaining in the art, capturing a fading yet vital cultural legacy.
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