A tattoo artist always remains a mysterious person, a mysterious and gloomy person. This is because he knows a lot about his work and is aware of the meaning of the symbols that customers want to perpetuate on their bodies. After all, tattoos are not just funny drawings, but images that carry a certain semantic load. Such a form of crime as the Yakuza has given birth to many. Members of this group chose tattoos with specific goals. Which ones?
Who are they?
What do we know about yakuza? Tattoos, traditional among adepts, are enviable in popularity, which means that it would be nice to find out a little about the affairs of these groups. In the criminal world of Japan, they occupy the top positions. Often, the Yakuza is called the "Japanese Mafia" because of the prevailing within the patriarchal system and the principle of unquestioning submission to the boss. The Yakuza strictly honor the rules and severely punish for transgressions. Inside the clans, the stability that fraternal relations between ordinary members of the group provide is stable. In the yakuza world, there is no clear distinction between zones of influence, and family ties are not the main framework of the organization. But the internal hierarchy is approximately known, as well as the number and composition of the leadership. Since the 1950s, the country's police have been keeping records of yakuza groups, and some have more than a thousand gangsters. You can call members of the Yakuza samurai, but secretive and unassuming. Yakuza does not need hype, but the result is needed. Members of the group perceive each other as a family, keep the secrets of the group, loyalty to the clan, follow the orders of the elders. They must know the laws of the group and the language of the tattoos.
External signs of yakuza
In the Yakuza group, tattoos have a deep meaning, and they are applied in large quantities to their bodies. The procedure, of course, is painful and long, but it symbolizes the hardness of the character of the samurai. There are pictures typical of the yakuza. These are dragons, flowers, mountains and seas, as well as emblems of factions. Almost 70% of yakuza have tattoos, but recently they have been more often involved in mixing to hide their clan affiliation. Japanese authorities, by the way, considered tattoos barbaric and forbade them. The first tattoo symbolized a way out of parental care, as the body was given by the parents, and it was impossible to spoil it without their permission. By the way, some members of the groups prefer harmless badges and patches on clothing to tattoos. So among the gangsters there are those who spare their own body.
In terms of aesthetics
I must say that Yakuza tattoos are very complex and full-color. Gangsters use the method of manually entering ink under the skin. This technique is called "irezumi" and is characterized by soreness. But the style is becoming popular among those who do not belong to the yakuza, just due to the experienced discomfort, as other people also seek to test the strength of spirit.
In Japan, there are still bans on some tattoos. For example, the mayor of Osaka forbade them to be civil servants and ordered them to reduce or change jobs.
Classic
Why are uninitiated yakuza tattoos attracted? It's simple, the classic Japanese tattoo is very beautiful and interesting in plot. It carries a hidden meaning and helps to find a common language for strangers. Such tattoos can depict religious subjects, heroes of legends and myths. It can be a combined drawing with an abundance of flowers, animals and landscapes. The created effect of presence is also possible . The theme is rich and has many motives. Conditionally, the latter can be divided into flora, fauna, myths and religion. All Japanese are fanatically in love with the sea, and therefore their tattoos can have a marine and aquatic theme.
Yakuza Life and Tattoo
The meaning of tattoos is not chosen by the wearer. On the contrary, tattoos reflect the personal qualities and merits of a person. From them you can determine the personality and find out his biography. All his life, clan members are filled with drawings and stories that talk about the real affairs of the gangster. But the waves and flowers often do not have a meaning: they are filled in order to fill an empty space. Kolshchik, by the way, is a member of the gang and has been improving his skills over the years.
Meaning and meaning
There are some of the most popular yakuza tattoos in the arsenal of tattoo artists. Often they are ordered simply because of beauty, and the meaning is of secondary importance. For example, sakura flowers are a symbol of the Japanese army and a reminder of the last moments of life. This is a very philosophical drawing and, of course, very beautiful. Girls like to order sakura in tattoos, which, of course, are far from criminal groups.
On the stomach, a hunting bird with large wings is often stuffed. This is a hawk that preys on birds and animals. The Japanese know a lot of idioms about these birds, their pride and self-sufficiency. Accordingly, the image of a hawk suits a proud and self-confident person.
But the tandem of the rabbit and the tiger speaks of the greatness of nature and a noticeable external contrast. It is worth recalling the sexual activity of rabbits, as well as their aggressiveness. In tattoos, the rabbit can symbolize the obscenity, licentiousness and depravity of female nature.
Sometimes symbols have dubious aesthetic value. For example, a three-legged frog evokes few positive emotions, and this is a symbol of belonging to the royal family! The frog has a short body, bulging eyes and a large mouth. To its owner, she brings goodness and wealth.
Strange animals are quite common in yakuza tattoos. Photos of these are surprising, but rarely cause negative. Such tattoos mean well-being and prosperity. The strange beast looks like a deer with horse legs and a bull's tail. The body is covered with scales, and from the mouth it spews flame. But this is not an aggressive animal, but a good-natured and wise nature.
On the contrary, the nine-tailed fox is the embodiment of sacred evil. This is a female entity with a hint of sexual perversion. The fox symbolizes the protection of the oppressed, and the Japanese do not see the negative in it, despite the original plan.
And briefly, the main thing
The yakuza dragon sketch is the most popular, and this is no accident. The dragon is depicted with wings resembling a flame. They say that a mythical creature turns into a horned one after 500 years of life, and the next transformation occurs after another 500 years; the dragon becomes a winged fish. Such an image is the highest form of existence, having the value of imperial essence. This is strength, power and confidence in one’s own position.
And one cannot ignore the image of the eared turtle, which is worshiped in many religions as a divine messenger. The tortoise is endowed with an abundance of magical abilities, but primarily its ability to see the future is noted. In addition, it symbolizes security.
In conclusion, I must say that the Japanese now pay attention to the abundance of tattoos on the body, and a completely clogged sleeve raises suspicions of belonging to criminal structures. So caution in choosing a tattoo pattern remains an important factor when designing your own image!