Tattoo culture in Japan (part 2)
Tattooing in Japan is actually illegal.
Japanese tattoo artists are required to have medical licenses.
It is crazy because tattooing is not a medical procedure, and it is a big difference between Japan and other countries. Tattooing is art, so there are no tattoo artists who have medical licenses. Becoming a medical doctor costs a lot of time and money. It is ridiculous to think that people get a medical license to become a tattoo artist.
I tell you a story about Japanese tattoo artist Taiki Masuda.
In September 2017, the Osaka District Court ruled Masuda had performed unlicensed medical procedures when he tattooed the arms and other body parts of three women between July 2014 and March 2015 at his home and studio in Suita, Osaka Prefecture. Masuda was ordered to pay a fine of ¥150,000.
The district court reasoned “the treatment could possibly cause skin lesions or allergies”, so tattoo artists need medical knowledge and expertise to understand the risks and how to deal with any complications properly.
The case initially went to trial after Masuda refused to pay an initial fine of ¥300,000 under a simplified criminal proceeding called a summary indictment in August 2015.
The Osaka High Court overturned a lower court decision and acquitted a tattooist for operating without a medical license, ruling the process is not a medical practice.
“The tattooing procedure is not relevant to medicine, and it does not constitute a medical act controlled under the medical practitioners’ law,” said presiding Judge Masaki Nishida in handing down the ruling on tattoo artist Taiki Masuda’s case.
Wow, I never knew tattooing in Japan was illegal. Having to get a medical license to become a tattoo artist is very unusual but after reading your Tattoo Culture in Japan part 1 blog, I can see why it could be the case. In traditional Japanese culture it seems that apparent symbols and emotions conveyed by citizens are very significant. This was very fascinating to learn about. Nice posts!
返信削除Thank you for sharing this information! I watched a documentary via VICELAND and I think you'd like it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WlxRkrGiCBg
返信削除it's about Taki and Horitomo, the dynamic duo of Japanese style tattooing in the US. There's a similar documentary based in Seoul, which has similar laws that tattoos are also illegal. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tEUWBlUuUHU
The reporter is tattooed from her head to her toes and she visits the public spas and even goes with someone to tell her parents about her tattoos because it is so taboo. The daughter would wear long sleeves and turtle necks whenever she was around her parents, but to show his support, her father actually went with her to get a tattoo done.
SUGOI!!!! I had no clue!
返信削除I am Japanese, and I have tattoos (all done in Hawaii)- but I have lived and visited Japan quite a few times, but did not know this. I knew tattoos were not a part of the culture, and I was not allowed in some bath houses because I have tattoos. That is crazy that you have to become a medical doctor to become a tattoo artist! No wonder there aren't any tattoo artists.