In the Edo period it was popular for lovers to have tattoos on the hands with half of the design on each person. The design was only completed when they joined hands. This was the golden age of Irezumi and the art flourished.
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Japanese Tattoo Girl
The Japanese word for tattoo is Irezumi (入墨¨). Irezumi is thought to go back to prehistoric times (around 10,000 BC). Japanese tattoos at this time were likely decorative and spiritual. However, by the 3rd century AD tattoos already had negative connotations in Japanese society. For example, tattoos were placed on criminals as a form of punishment.
In the Edo period it was popular for lovers to have tattoos on the hands with half of the design on each person. The design was only completed when they joined hands. This was the golden age of Irezumi and the art flourished.
In the Edo period it was popular for lovers to have tattoos on the hands with half of the design on each person. The design was only completed when they joined hands. This was the golden age of Irezumi and the art flourished.
