Historical and Cultural Survey of Japanese Traditional Tattoo Genesis

The object of this paper is permanent modification of body surface as a social and cultural practice, the subject is traditional Japanese tattoo as a phenomenon based on relations between nation and authorities. The aim of the study is examination of development process of traditional Japanese tattoo. To reach this aim method of retrospective analysis was employed. The thesis contains seventy pages and consists of introduction, five chapters, reference list and appendix that includes twenty nine pictures. The first chapter deals with indirect evidence for existence of tattooing practice on Japanese islands during prehistoric periods. The second chapter contains description of punitive tattoo basing on analysis of Japanese narrative (Kojiki, Nihon syoki) and describes tattoo practice of non-Japanese peoples on Japanese islands. ] Chapter three is analyzing the development of full-body tattoo in Edo period. It also contains information about tattoo masters and their clients in this period. Chapter four describes modern condition of tattoo culture in Japan. It contains references to the perception of tattoos in literature of Meiji period, analyzes the influence of globalization: motivations of modern tattoo wearers and tattoo masters behavior. Chapter five contains the list of most common traditional patterns with descriptions. Currentness and importance of this paper is that it is majorly understudied in Russian historiography although it is crucial for understanding some key mechanisms of Japanese culture. Results of this study may become a base for further investigation and be of interest to those who are interested in history of tattooing.