“ In some aspects , it ( irezumi ) is a reflection of yourself or as a personal expression . It ’ s the only way that you can look at it . Because if you get tattooed , it ’ s only for you . If you say it ’ s for someone else , it ’ s just a lie .” much possible . You cannot move in our society from the low to the very top now . So I have had to look for strange things where there is no dominant company .
With Facebook and Google , there is no space or anything . So for a business you have to find some space . I know this is strange but its fun and you make people happy most of the time and I get some freedom .
How do you perceive tattoos ? Coming from a western culture , our perception of tattoos has changed so much in 10 years . Before , it was just a culture of the lower class . Now , it ’ s gone so far and big that it consists of every class , and for different style of tattoo , people relate to different classes .
The difference now is that Western people think that Japanese tattoos are high class so we get many rich and skilled and educated people coming to see us . So my aim is to make high ends of tattooing . With very good safety and regulation , I want to create something like a good plastic surgery clinic . It does not have to be rough or scary . If you want to do it , we ’ ll help you . We don ’ t sell , we just explain .
Can you walk broadly out of the street of Japan with your tattoo ? If you are Asian , people will be scared of you . If you are a foreigner , it ’ s different . I called it the gaijin ( foreigner ) smash . You ( the Japanese ) know you should not but they think , “ Oh it ’ s a foreigner , they must not understand ”. I don ’ t care because I can never be Japanese . I would always be a foreigner , so why should I change for them ? But for Japanese people , it ’ s very different , especially when it comes with age . My friend who is 40 , he is from the generation where there were gangster problems . He hides always , but young people , twenties , teenagers , get tattoos and they don ’ t care .
How do you think Irezumi should be seen by the world ? Its personal , it ’ s a private thing . You ’ re doing it to yourself and really , it ’ s not really anyone ’ s business . Unless you are the yakuza and you are using it as a tool for intimidation . That is different . I can ’ t explain why people do it , everyone has different reasons . But because it ’ s a private thing , go for it . These tattoo artists devoted their entire life to make this craft and they take it very seriously . With Westerns , the change has already happened . But for others such as Korean , Chinese and Japanese , it is still different .
Above Tattoo artist Wakatomo tattooing the figure of Ragaraja on a client ’ s back . Its wrathful appearance is only a cover of the diety ’ s affectionate and loving nature . Individuals often seek him out for forging harmonious relationships in love or partnership .
Photo courtesy to Tattoo Experience
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