My Custom Tattoo: Tattoo Designs

Here is a good video done by National Geographic. It shows the traditional side of getting tattoos. Now keep in mind that this video was done probably 15 or so years ago. Things have changed some since then. However, it shows the the history of tattooing within Japan.

Originally the Japanese government would brand and tattoo people who were criminals. THus lead to tattoos being outlawed. However, the Japanese Yakuza adapted this and went underground in a way by developing full body tattoos that could be hidden. Thus the full body tattoo suit would not cover past the wrist, ankle and typically has a space down the middle front of the body so when wearing clothes the tattoos are hidden.

Remember however, that this video was done in the past and tattooing has taken a major turn in Japanese culture. Yes there are still Yakuza and yes there are still many Yakuza who are getting full body tattoo suits. However, tattoos have also become more popular now and the younger generation is starting to get tattoos for the sake of art and body adornment and not necessarily tied with any Yakuza affiliation.

What do you think about this video and the tattoos? We will continue this series on Japanese Tattoos and in the next post look at some other Japanese Tattoo videos.

It seems that one of the newest ways to get the true prison tattoo experience is with nothing but the best in tattoo guns.  No longer are prison tattoo artist using guitar string or other such crude devices.  They have now developed an advanced way to make a real tattoo gun.  Using a Nintiendo 64 Rumble Pack prisoners can make their own home made tattoo gun from a rumble pack, pen, and a needle.  Pretty Amazing tweak for the RumblePak and I am sure nothing Nintendo ever thought of themselves.

Here is a more complete explanation from  a prision guard

“It is actually pretty easy. There are no workshops in maximum security. They do it in their rooms with a battery(power) taped to a tube(could be a pen or a tightly wound piece of paper). The motor from the rumble pack is taken out and attached to the top of the tube. A needle or pin is run down the middle of the tube. when “on” the needle will move up and down like a sewing machine. The needle is then dipped in “ink.” This is made a number of ways the easiest is to use ball point pen ink, but they could use other items to get different colors or looks.”

Source