The Fascinating History And Meaning Of Traditional Japanese Tattoo Designs

Tattoos have a long and fascinating history in Japan. In its earliest days, tattoos were used by criminals as a form of punishment, with the stigma of the tattoo often preventing them from taking on a normal life once their sentence was served. It wasn’t until the Edo period (1603-1868) that tattoos began to be used for decorative purposes, and even then, the Japanese government made it illegal for anyone to get a tattoo unless they were of a certain social class. It wasn’t until the Meiji period (1868-1912) that tattoos began to become popular among the masses.

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