The Japanese Tattoo Misconception

It is truly believed that it takes time for certain beliefs and attitudes to form. And they leave a long lasting impression on people’s mind changing their perception on particular things or issues. No one knows why certain races are treated differently even when it is unethical but some people still continue their discriminating behaviour. and sometimes previously believed attitudes are passed on in the society which ends up stigmatizing certain people in the society. This creates gaps and ends up barring certain groups from society. They are treated as outcasts. A belief of a person might be so strong that they will end up denying the facts that are shown against their beliefs this is called cognitive dissonance. People will sometimes unwillingly abide by these stigmas so that they are not treated differently for supporting the fugitives.

Just like how in Japan people are stigmatized for having tattoos. Even though tattoos were legalized in 1944 the change in the law hardly made any difference to peoples perceptions. Japanese society is highly intolerant and least encouraging towards having tattoos. Having tattoos in Japan can lead people to associate you with criminal gangs or an organized crime member. Criminals in the ancient times were punished with tattoos which left a marked them as criminals for life. The stigma based on tattoos are quite rigid and you could be denied entry in a hotel, restaurants, clubs or any public places or social institutions and with no jobs offered. The origins of this belief dates back during the Edo period ( 1603-1868 ).

The Yakuza :
Who are these people? These people belong to an institution that is active in organized crime. These are the criminal gang members that originated in Japan. In ancient times, the Burakumin's were the people who worked with death. These people normally worked as butchers, executioner, undertakers, and leather workers. Society treated them as outcasts and untouchables. During 1603 the situations for them got worse and they got banished, they were denied jobs and education for their children. But to survive soon they got involved in small scale crimes. They peddled stolen goods, started gambling. The guarded other peddler's shops in exchange for money. They roamed with swords and often kept the bandits away from the villages. They got into crimes to gain respect. And eventually, this led their introduction to the organized crimes. They were called the Yakuza.

A Yakuza member would be often marked differently from the commoners by tattooing their whole bodies. They often cut all their social ties if they want to be a member of the yakuza. If any member is disloyal towards the Yakuza they chop off the tiny finger. This has a reason, severing fingers would lead to that member's inability to hold and fight with a sword which would make him more dependant on the gang. With time they grew. Gambling, prostitution and extortion were some commonly known crime they were a part of. Politicians would hire them to execute their oppositions. During the 19th century, they started being more active and got involved in drug trades, real estates, white collar crimes and even stock markets. The government soon came up with laws that barred the Yakuza's involvement in any kind of businesses. This happens even today. Some groups of yakuza are still active but then it is comparatively less.

So well, this has led to some severe misconceptions about tattoos and people who have them. People with tattoos even today are denied jobs or entries in any social institution. Even foreign tourists are not entertained especially in gyms and in the hot springs of Japan where the tattooed part of your body can perhaps be visible. There quite a few places where people might be lenient about having tattoos. But mostly even the tourists are warned to have the tattooed part on their body to be covered. The foreign tourists do not face much discrimination as much as the people in Japan do.

But things are changing youngsters in Japan these days get tattoos and of course the tattoos are kept hidden from the family as they are afraid of being treated as an outcast. A change in perceptions takes time. This belief against tattoos was instigated centuries before and we can see the prolonged effects till date.

And again as I said strong beliefs are arrogant in nature. If suddenly I was told that earth is flat I would definitely resist the thought even if I was shown facts against my beliefs. So time and change go hand in hand. And you may never know if suddenly one morning you wake up and you see that racism has totally eradicated. well, that didn't happen but there's hope. And so in that way maybe one-day people in Japan won't be discredited for having tattoos