So I found these two posts about tattoos in Japan:
http://tinyurl.com/33dd3s
http://tinyurl.com/3d4bq6
Most of these seem to revolve around easily concealed tattoos.
I have many tattoos on my arms, and they can be hidden perfectly by a long sleeve shirt, which I would wear to work anyway, as is my custom here.
But for bath houses, going around town, etc., can this get you trouble, having a bunch? Since it gets hot in the summer, I want to be able to hang out with a short sleeve shirt if I can.
Can I get sent back home (to US) because of them? If I am in a small community, and they won't let me into the bath houses, can I bath at home (I am still not sure how that situation works)?
I have Kanji, as well. What is the Japanese view of having Kanji tattoos?
Sorry, that seemed like a much better post in my head, but when I started typing, it sort of went everywhere.
Another tattoo post
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Another tattoo post
by prestonC » Wed Mar 26, 2008 4:27 pm
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by okayamathomas » Wed Mar 26, 2008 4:47 pm
I don't have any tatoos. From what I have heard from other JETs responses to tatoos varies.
I have seem yakuza with tatoos in my local public bath house (6 guys on 1 day, and none since). You can always bath at home.
Be sensible about it (like you said - long sleeved shirt in school) and it won't be a problem.
If people know you have tatoos they will ask you about them, so be prepared for that. Do you know how to read the kanji - and have a reason why you chose it? I'm sure you'll be asked these questions.
I have seem yakuza with tatoos in my local public bath house (6 guys on 1 day, and none since). You can always bath at home.
Be sensible about it (like you said - long sleeved shirt in school) and it won't be a problem.
If people know you have tatoos they will ask you about them, so be prepared for that. Do you know how to read the kanji - and have a reason why you chose it? I'm sure you'll be asked these questions.
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by Fukui Melissa PA » Thu Mar 27, 2008 9:02 am
I don't think you need to worry about tattoos. They WILL prevent you from going into some public baths and gyms (especially in small towns -- I have first hand experience of this, as do my friends), but other than that, it's not such a big deal.
Keeping them covered at work is a good idea -- but I don't think it's taboo to mention that you have them or even show them (briefly) if someone is curious. We are, afterall, here to internationalize and in most of our cultures, tattoos are for the most part accepted. We have nothing to be ashamed of in Japan, even if Japanese people can sometimes have a knee jerk reaction to them.
When you aren't at school, you are free to wear what you want. You might get some looks and a few people might even think you're dangerous, but mostly, people are just curious, if anything. They can see you are a foreigner and, as long as you aren't menacing in any other way, they'll know your tattoos don't symbolize the same thing as a Japanese gangster's tattoos.
If you have Japanese style tattoos, though (carp, Japanese style dragons and Buddhas, etc), you might be perceived as a little scarier because those are definite gang symbols here. My friend had his upper chest and half sleeves on both arms done in Japanese style ink and he just chose not to attempt any public bath because he anticipated a pretty negative reaction. He never had any problems besides.
Your kanji probably won't raise that many eyebrows except to wonder why you have random words printed on your arms. If you have a full phrase, it might make sense, but some of my Japanese friends have told me that single kanji are kind of odd -- they often don't mean much without context. One friend reported seeing the word "leg" tattooed in kanji on some person's arm -- the guy sporting it had no idea what it meant, he just thought it "looked cool". It didn't look so cool to someone who could read it. I'm not saying that's the case with you -- I just think it's an amusing story. Like Thomas said, just know what your kanji says and be prepared to explain why you chose it.
Long story short -- tattoos aren't an issue as long as you cover them at work! You'll figure out the rest.
Keeping them covered at work is a good idea -- but I don't think it's taboo to mention that you have them or even show them (briefly) if someone is curious. We are, afterall, here to internationalize and in most of our cultures, tattoos are for the most part accepted. We have nothing to be ashamed of in Japan, even if Japanese people can sometimes have a knee jerk reaction to them.
When you aren't at school, you are free to wear what you want. You might get some looks and a few people might even think you're dangerous, but mostly, people are just curious, if anything. They can see you are a foreigner and, as long as you aren't menacing in any other way, they'll know your tattoos don't symbolize the same thing as a Japanese gangster's tattoos.
If you have Japanese style tattoos, though (carp, Japanese style dragons and Buddhas, etc), you might be perceived as a little scarier because those are definite gang symbols here. My friend had his upper chest and half sleeves on both arms done in Japanese style ink and he just chose not to attempt any public bath because he anticipated a pretty negative reaction. He never had any problems besides.
Your kanji probably won't raise that many eyebrows except to wonder why you have random words printed on your arms. If you have a full phrase, it might make sense, but some of my Japanese friends have told me that single kanji are kind of odd -- they often don't mean much without context. One friend reported seeing the word "leg" tattooed in kanji on some person's arm -- the guy sporting it had no idea what it meant, he just thought it "looked cool". It didn't look so cool to someone who could read it. I'm not saying that's the case with you -- I just think it's an amusing story. Like Thomas said, just know what your kanji says and be prepared to explain why you chose it.
Long story short -- tattoos aren't an issue as long as you cover them at work! You'll figure out the rest.
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by davegPC » Thu Mar 27, 2008 5:24 pm
Just one thought here.
We are in the unique position at CLAIR that we get feedback/comments from schools and Contracting Organisations, and I can say, with confidence, that schools would prefer JETs without tattoos. The same goes for facial piercings.
Its likely that no one would ever say it to the ALTs face, especially if efforts were made to keep tattoos covered and piercings removed during work. But the dislike of both is certainly out there, and the reason is simple: it would be nearly unthinkable for a Japanese teacher to have tattoo and/or a facial peircing. It simply would not be permitted.
Also, although JETs work a 35 hour work week and must adhere to dress standards during that time, JETs are chosen to be an intergrated and active part of the community, and just because you are off the clock does not mean you can do whatever you want. As public servants salaried with tax-payers money (both ALTs and CIRs), we are held to a higher standard of behaviour that extends out of the workplace as well.
Just to put it into perspective, in most schools teachers are not even permitted to wear earings. I am not saying that if you have a tatoo or a facial piercing you should not come on JET, but you will have an easier time living here as a teacher/public servant if you keep them to yourself.
Also, I fully understand the "it's internationalisation" argument. However, this is what we hear, repeatedly and year after year, from schools and boards of educations. You may not hear it anywhere else. FYI.
We are in the unique position at CLAIR that we get feedback/comments from schools and Contracting Organisations, and I can say, with confidence, that schools would prefer JETs without tattoos. The same goes for facial piercings.
Its likely that no one would ever say it to the ALTs face, especially if efforts were made to keep tattoos covered and piercings removed during work. But the dislike of both is certainly out there, and the reason is simple: it would be nearly unthinkable for a Japanese teacher to have tattoo and/or a facial peircing. It simply would not be permitted.
Also, although JETs work a 35 hour work week and must adhere to dress standards during that time, JETs are chosen to be an intergrated and active part of the community, and just because you are off the clock does not mean you can do whatever you want. As public servants salaried with tax-payers money (both ALTs and CIRs), we are held to a higher standard of behaviour that extends out of the workplace as well.
Just to put it into perspective, in most schools teachers are not even permitted to wear earings. I am not saying that if you have a tatoo or a facial piercing you should not come on JET, but you will have an easier time living here as a teacher/public servant if you keep them to yourself.
Also, I fully understand the "it's internationalisation" argument. However, this is what we hear, repeatedly and year after year, from schools and boards of educations. You may not hear it anywhere else. FYI.
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by Fukui Melissa PA » Fri Mar 28, 2008 10:59 am
Point taken. I totally get what Dave is saying, but I also think there is more to it.
I've talked to teachers about my tattoos (which are pretty non-threatening to be sure -- some stars and a four leaf clover) and they have told me point blank that they would never never get a tattoo, that it is just not done by Japanese teachers. Those same teachers also said they understood that I was foreign and that, basically, they weren't appalled (in the least) that I had them and they didn't feel I had to justify them.
I don't think those teachers are representative of all teachers and that my personal experience should be a guide post for all, but I think it's worth noting that those teachers' opinions co-exist with others, even way out here in inaka Fukui.
As for after school hours, I agree with Dave that we are held to higher standards of behavior. I don't think the "it's internationalization" argument is a catch all for whatever we want to do. I actually use it rather sparingly because I think it's often used as an excuse from people who can't be troubled to be considerate. I just don't think that a foreigner, even a foreign teacher, having a tattoo is inconsiderate in and of itself.
I also think, however, that that is a conclusion that I have personally reached after a lot of thought and that other people could logically come to a different conclusion given their circumstances. Maybe my point here is that I think thoughtfulness is key to this or any other question of cultural sensitivity.
I've talked to teachers about my tattoos (which are pretty non-threatening to be sure -- some stars and a four leaf clover) and they have told me point blank that they would never never get a tattoo, that it is just not done by Japanese teachers. Those same teachers also said they understood that I was foreign and that, basically, they weren't appalled (in the least) that I had them and they didn't feel I had to justify them.
I don't think those teachers are representative of all teachers and that my personal experience should be a guide post for all, but I think it's worth noting that those teachers' opinions co-exist with others, even way out here in inaka Fukui.
As for after school hours, I agree with Dave that we are held to higher standards of behavior. I don't think the "it's internationalization" argument is a catch all for whatever we want to do. I actually use it rather sparingly because I think it's often used as an excuse from people who can't be troubled to be considerate. I just don't think that a foreigner, even a foreign teacher, having a tattoo is inconsiderate in and of itself.
I also think, however, that that is a conclusion that I have personally reached after a lot of thought and that other people could logically come to a different conclusion given their circumstances. Maybe my point here is that I think thoughtfulness is key to this or any other question of cultural sensitivity.
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by chibakenben » Fri Mar 28, 2008 12:08 pm
Dave brings up some pretty important points. The tattoos might cause friction in the office because they're not something regular Japanese teachers are allowed to have, and you will occasionally be barred from public baths and similar facilities. And people will treat you like a gangster if they see you with your shirt off.
So if you are thinking of getting a tattoo, and also thinking of going on the JET program, maybe you should consider waiting until after you come back from Japan.
But if you've already got a tattoo, I wouldn't worry too much about it. There are lots of JETs with tattoos, and, outside of bathhouses, they usually don't face too much trouble. It can even be sort of generalized that Western-style tattoos, even on Japanese people, are becoming more common and accepted as not necessarily being gang marks (though in the country things move a bit slower of course). Just cover them up and don't run around your town shirtless. Honestly, nobody even needs to know that you have them.
All that being said, I had a friend on JET last year who was a 6-foot tall, muscular Japanese American who was covered in tattoos...traditional, Japanese tattoos. Both wings and both shins (not quite full shirt yet). If he wasn't covering up, people who did not know him regularly assumed he was yakuza. Even his schools at first thought he might be a gang member. They were terrified. But as soon as he opened his mouth and tried to speak goofy broken Japanese, everyone was like "oh. just a wacky foreigner. phew.", and then his traditional tattoos and how he felt that they relate to his heritage became a subject of conversation rather than fear. Yeah, there might have been teachers that really resented the fact that he could get tattoos and he couldn't...but that kind of person is going to find other reasons to resent you, too, like vacation days and shorter work hours and such.
What's more, he acquired several of the tattoos WHILE he was in Japan. Getting traditional Japanese tattoos was one of the things he really wanted to do while he was in Japan, so much so that he spent months on a waiting list and thousands of dollars to get an appointment with a well-known artist. To him, it was an important part of his heritage that really meant something of lasting value.
He's not alone either - another friend (caucasian guy this time) also got full wings while he was here. Again, he felt it was pretty important for him so he went through with it.
If a tattoo isn't a big deal to you, I wouldn't get one before going to Japan - it's only going to be a potential source of conflict. Don't do it on a lark. But if it is important to you, enough so that you are prepared to face the consequences, go ahead and get one. Just be aware that it will bother people around you if you flash it about.
So if you are thinking of getting a tattoo, and also thinking of going on the JET program, maybe you should consider waiting until after you come back from Japan.
But if you've already got a tattoo, I wouldn't worry too much about it. There are lots of JETs with tattoos, and, outside of bathhouses, they usually don't face too much trouble. It can even be sort of generalized that Western-style tattoos, even on Japanese people, are becoming more common and accepted as not necessarily being gang marks (though in the country things move a bit slower of course). Just cover them up and don't run around your town shirtless. Honestly, nobody even needs to know that you have them.
All that being said, I had a friend on JET last year who was a 6-foot tall, muscular Japanese American who was covered in tattoos...traditional, Japanese tattoos. Both wings and both shins (not quite full shirt yet). If he wasn't covering up, people who did not know him regularly assumed he was yakuza. Even his schools at first thought he might be a gang member. They were terrified. But as soon as he opened his mouth and tried to speak goofy broken Japanese, everyone was like "oh. just a wacky foreigner. phew.", and then his traditional tattoos and how he felt that they relate to his heritage became a subject of conversation rather than fear. Yeah, there might have been teachers that really resented the fact that he could get tattoos and he couldn't...but that kind of person is going to find other reasons to resent you, too, like vacation days and shorter work hours and such.
What's more, he acquired several of the tattoos WHILE he was in Japan. Getting traditional Japanese tattoos was one of the things he really wanted to do while he was in Japan, so much so that he spent months on a waiting list and thousands of dollars to get an appointment with a well-known artist. To him, it was an important part of his heritage that really meant something of lasting value.
He's not alone either - another friend (caucasian guy this time) also got full wings while he was here. Again, he felt it was pretty important for him so he went through with it.
If a tattoo isn't a big deal to you, I wouldn't get one before going to Japan - it's only going to be a potential source of conflict. Don't do it on a lark. But if it is important to you, enough so that you are prepared to face the consequences, go ahead and get one. Just be aware that it will bother people around you if you flash it about.
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by davegPC » Fri Mar 28, 2008 1:49 pm
I really like what Melissa and Ben added.
To clairify, I certainly did not mean to say that anyone should or shouldn't get a tattoo, or that having one would be inconsiderate in Japan.
My one point was that just because no one says it's bad does not mean they don't think it's bad. The tattoo issue is a very touchy one. First, the Ministry of Foreign Affiars, who selects new participants, will not base selection on such superficial things as tattoos and piercings.
However - and this is what I have learned at CLAIR - it is a major issue in the schools where JETs are. It is so much an issue, that when asked for their opinion about the JET Programme as a whole, some schools single response is that participants with tattoos should not be allowed. I have personally dealt with cases where the Contracting Organisation wished to dismiss a JET because of the JETs tattoos and piercings. In my opinion, this is asinine and unfortunate, since these superficial differences can be the gateway to deeper cross-cultural understanding, but my opinions aren't shared by everyone.
I was just asking that people keep that in mind, and use discretion when revealing and discussing their tattoos and keep an open mind to the generaly conservative standards of appearance in workplaces in Japan.
We could debate this for hours, and there may never be any definitive answers. I do not wish to discourage those with tattoos from joining JET, I only wish to inform them that they may be looked upon with very harsh eyes. Of course, I am sure there are dozens, if not hundreds, of cases where a JET with a tattoo had no "noticable" problems. That all depends on the individuals involved.
Again, I'm only sharing the information that we at CLAIR hear from schools. Personally, I would advise people to conceal their tattoos when possible. I do not think that I have anything else to add on this topic, but please feel free to continue the discussion.
To clairify, I certainly did not mean to say that anyone should or shouldn't get a tattoo, or that having one would be inconsiderate in Japan.
My one point was that just because no one says it's bad does not mean they don't think it's bad. The tattoo issue is a very touchy one. First, the Ministry of Foreign Affiars, who selects new participants, will not base selection on such superficial things as tattoos and piercings.
However - and this is what I have learned at CLAIR - it is a major issue in the schools where JETs are. It is so much an issue, that when asked for their opinion about the JET Programme as a whole, some schools single response is that participants with tattoos should not be allowed. I have personally dealt with cases where the Contracting Organisation wished to dismiss a JET because of the JETs tattoos and piercings. In my opinion, this is asinine and unfortunate, since these superficial differences can be the gateway to deeper cross-cultural understanding, but my opinions aren't shared by everyone.
I was just asking that people keep that in mind, and use discretion when revealing and discussing their tattoos and keep an open mind to the generaly conservative standards of appearance in workplaces in Japan.
We could debate this for hours, and there may never be any definitive answers. I do not wish to discourage those with tattoos from joining JET, I only wish to inform them that they may be looked upon with very harsh eyes. Of course, I am sure there are dozens, if not hundreds, of cases where a JET with a tattoo had no "noticable" problems. That all depends on the individuals involved.
Again, I'm only sharing the information that we at CLAIR hear from schools. Personally, I would advise people to conceal their tattoos when possible. I do not think that I have anything else to add on this topic, but please feel free to continue the discussion.
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by prestonC » Fri Mar 28, 2008 3:34 pm
All of your input is greatly appreciated, especially since it is all coming from different perspectives.
The community aspect was the part that I was most concerned with, because I don't want to alienate myself from the real experiences of living in a different culture. I would never show my tattoos at work.
Are tats really just for gang members, or do others get them and are just looked at askance, sort of how Americans who got them a decade ago were looked at? If you go to a tattoo parlor, are you sitting with yakuza members?
The community aspect was the part that I was most concerned with, because I don't want to alienate myself from the real experiences of living in a different culture. I would never show my tattoos at work.
Are tats really just for gang members, or do others get them and are just looked at askance, sort of how Americans who got them a decade ago were looked at? If you go to a tattoo parlor, are you sitting with yakuza members?
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by sickbobby » Fri Mar 28, 2008 10:14 pm
Traditionally tattoos did suggest gang membership. Or was generally perceived at that.
However, I've seen a lot of younger Japanese folk getting tattoos. Simple designs like flowers, chains or other designs that are popular with folks from other countries. I guess with time passing and international influence, the tattoo issue isn't as strictly associated with the yakuza as it was before.
Anyway, that's from my experience.
However, I've seen a lot of younger Japanese folk getting tattoos. Simple designs like flowers, chains or other designs that are popular with folks from other countries. I guess with time passing and international influence, the tattoo issue isn't as strictly associated with the yakuza as it was before.
Anyway, that's from my experience.
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by wicket » Sun Mar 30, 2008 3:21 pm
I have a small tattoo. A couple of female colleagues have seen it at onsen/sento. They didn't have a problem with it, but did ask me not to mention it to the students (why I would is beyond me - my students in Australia don't even know about it).
Then again, I'm in Osaka now. When I lived in rural Japan (also on JET), the one colleague who saw it had a bit of a negative reaction and warned me to cover it in pools and sentos, which is good advice.
If you don't currently have any, don't get any before you come here. If you really want one, it can wait. JET is for a few years, but you'll have your skin forever.
Then again, I'm in Osaka now. When I lived in rural Japan (also on JET), the one colleague who saw it had a bit of a negative reaction and warned me to cover it in pools and sentos, which is good advice.
If you don't currently have any, don't get any before you come here. If you really want one, it can wait. JET is for a few years, but you'll have your skin forever.
"Is not life a thousand times too short for us to bore ourselves?"
Nietzsche
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by yukitan » Mon Mar 31, 2008 3:23 pm
Just to give an example of how things can seemingly be alright, but still bubbling under the surface. For nearly 3 years, having gauged ears was never viewed as improper at my school, as long as my nosering was removed for class. But when a bigger issue occurred at my school and I had a difficult time understanding the Japanese point of view (it was a housing issue, completely unrelated to piercings or tattoos), it was pointed out to me that I have "special treatment" because of my ears already, and I shouldn't expect them to "bend" much more for me.
So, I completely understand Dave's point about COs not really appreciating mods very much. On the other side, my local obaachans asked me why I covered my tattoo in the sento/gym and demanded I relax about it. It's person by person. But I second the recommendation on being knowledgable about your tat. My friend has a haiku on her forearm (in kanji) and is asked about it regularly.
So, I completely understand Dave's point about COs not really appreciating mods very much. On the other side, my local obaachans asked me why I covered my tattoo in the sento/gym and demanded I relax about it. It's person by person. But I second the recommendation on being knowledgable about your tat. My friend has a haiku on her forearm (in kanji) and is asked about it regularly.
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by Sloshed » Tue Apr 01, 2008 11:30 pm
As the posts have said above, tattoos and piercings won't keep you from being accepted into the program. If you wear them to your interview they will likely be brought up in a question.
While in Japan they will affect how people view you even if it isn't noticable right away. Tattoos have been a sign of the underbelly of Japan for many years and only recently have they been gaining more acceptance. They are still seen as improper in schools but as long as they can be covered from the view of students you should be alright.
If you are thinking of getting a tattoo or piercing before coming to Japan I would suggest holding off till you return. If you have a meaningful reason for getting one then don't let these comments hold you back.
While in Japan they will affect how people view you even if it isn't noticable right away. Tattoos have been a sign of the underbelly of Japan for many years and only recently have they been gaining more acceptance. They are still seen as improper in schools but as long as they can be covered from the view of students you should be alright.
If you are thinking of getting a tattoo or piercing before coming to Japan I would suggest holding off till you return. If you have a meaningful reason for getting one then don't let these comments hold you back.
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by Reki » Wed Apr 16, 2008 1:36 pm
This discussion has answered almost all my questions on tattoos in Japan. I did have one more though, that the discussion didn't seem to address much. Do people in Japan see tattoos on females differently then they do for men? Is there a greater stigma for females with tattoos?
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by patrick » Wed Apr 16, 2008 3:21 pm
Females are seen differently, but I'm not quite if 'foreign' females are seen differently.
The most common stereotype for Japanese women who have tattoos is they are associated with the yakuza. The yakuza members like to brand their women, and half the time the tattoo will be of their boyfriend/master's name.
The most common stereotype for Japanese women who have tattoos is they are associated with the yakuza. The yakuza members like to brand their women, and half the time the tattoo will be of their boyfriend/master's name.
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by Reki » Wed Apr 16, 2008 7:49 pm
I have one more question regarding tattoos. I've read on other forums, that the majority of bath houses will not let you in, if you have a tattoo. However I've also read that a few may, as long as you tell them before hand. I was wondering if anyone knows if this is true, from your own experiences?
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