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Horimono
The Horimono tattoos of Japan are "full-body unified compositions that originated from the woodblock prints of that period and were most often worn by laborers, manufacturers, merchants, and hikeshi, or firemen (Kunihiro)" (Mignon, 2002). Similar to other traditional types of tattooing, Horimono are created by hand instead of machine using tools called Tebori.
History
As Japanese society became more urban and developed in the 18th century, the art of tattooing began to grow within the "underbelly" of Japan: "The tattooing became popular especially among the lower-class citizens of Edo, the capital. Many men of occupations which often required half-naked bodies, like firemen, craftsmen, carpenters, palanquin bearers or artisans, decorated their skins with tattoos and showed them with pride. Tattooing became popular also among lovers once more, who acquired ‘a vow tattoo’ in order to express a pledge of their love. At the same time, street gangs and criminals covered their punitive tattoos with large traditional Japanese tattoos" (Rusiňáková 2019, 16). As is the case with the history of most types of tattooing, Horimono tattoos were seen as an act of rebellion and a way for those deemed to be the "misfits" of society to mark themselves as the outliers of society.
Horimono of Today
As of 2023, tattoos are still considered taboo and for those considered to be "less than" in society. According to the New York Times, "Japan has a longstanding taboo against tattoos, which remain associated with organized crime. Many beaches, hot springs resorts and gyms do not admit people with tattoos. Companies often expressly prohibit applicants who are inked" (Hida 2022, 2). However, Japanese style tattooing and traditional Horimono are popular in tattoo culture all over the world, especially in the United States where it is much more socially acceptable to have tattoos.
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