Another tattoo post

[kurumajanaiyo]

I know this topic is done to death, ESID, etc., but i thought i'd throw it out there -

I have a fairly large tattoo on the lower half of my left calf (think just above the ankle to mid-calf).

It's nothing scary, its SFW and all.

I've been placed in Okinawa. It's uh... hot.

Pants forever and ever?

[pnksweater]

My husband recently started volunteering at a local kindergarten. My husband is also heavily tattooed. He could just cover his work with a long sleeved shirt and pants, but it’s getting hot, and no one really dresses that nice to kindergartens.

When meeting the staff for the first time to discuss the curriculum and schedule he wore a nice, but short sleeved shirt. The reasoning was the staff would know up front that he was tattooed. If they had an issue with it they could make some sort of oblique statement and he’d know there was an expectation to cover up at work. No one batted an eyelash. Fortunately I speak enough Japanese and the principal speaks enough English that I doubled checked after their meeting to make sure everything was *really* okay.

I also have tattoos. I didn’t feel comfortable taking the chance of rocking the boat. So they’re always concealed. No one I work with knows I have them. But they are on an area that is easily covered, even when it’s hot.

When you have contact information for your predecessor and your supervisor, test out the waters. If anyone starts sucking air through their teeth, you’ll know that you’ll just have to sweat it out in long pants, at least at work. What you wear on your own time is more of a grey area, but I will admit you’ll probably meet more interesting people if your ink is visible.

[Vietnamazing]

All of you have great things to say/add and I agree with all stances considering each person is placed in a different area. The one thing I did not see brought up here were about enkais and 'off the clock' education related events. My husband and I both have a LOT of tattoos, although he is not on JET, he also works at a tattoo shop in town. I myself have a half-sleeve, wrist tattoo, and small nose piercing. Even in the US, a person often shouldn't show their tattoos or piercings in an interview or in the business/education world. And yes, there are always exceptions, but generally speaking, it is the same minus the gangstar stigma.

I myself have decided to walk on the conservative side of the line. Some of my JET friends had their small tattoos showing when they went to an enkai or met students outside of school. They soon learned this was a big no-no because we are representing the BOE/prefecture. It was part of the job we signed up for. You are dealing with old-fashioned parents and families, and just like in many of our home countries, tattoos can still be a bit taboo. It's kinda the reality of things, not only here in Japan. BUT I think it's wise to just keep them covered when you are attending ANY work related event. Even enkais, or a school festival you aren't required to be at. I, personally feel like it's better to just be cautious. You'll eventually make friends with the teachers and they'll ask if you have any, and it will be fine. But to save yourself from ever seeming unprofessional, just cover them up. When you walk around town do whatever you want. You'll run into kids and teachers, but it has nothing to do with the workplace. The teachers who know how tatted up I am, actually appreciate my professionalism, and were surprised they had absolutely no idea I had any tattoos at all because I kept them so well-covered.

Ganbatte with the onsens. Some will let you in, some will kick you out. But if you can get stripped and get into the onsen straight away, the likeliness of them kickin you out when you are already in your birthday suit is pretty slim:) It becomes a fun little game for sure.

[WalkingOnSunshine]

I myself have a half-sleeve, wrist tattoo, and small nose piercing.

What do you do about your nose piercing?

[BasilG]

What do you do about your nose piercing?

In my case, I have some lip and ear piercings.
I feel a little uncomfortable even wearing a lip ring in public. Even in the rural countryside where I live, I see the occasional kid wearing lip rings, and it stands out like a sore thumb. It's just hassel to be stared at because you're wearing something in your face, as well as being a foreigner etc.
So, I tend to put in earrings, but leave the facial piercings out, and tattoos covered when I'm in my town or hanging out it the nearby city.
Of course, at school its strictly no-piercings and tattoos.
I knew a few other JETs who would wear a lip ring/nose ring as soon as they're out of school, and they just think it's their right to wear/do what they want outside of work hours. And, really, your school can't complain as long as you're not in school or as the posters above said, representing your BOE or schools.
It's up to you, with what you want to do and what you feel comfortable with, so my advice is just get here and be a 'clean slate' and then get a feel for what's okay and what isn't and go from there.

[Vietnamazing]

What do you do about your nose piercing?

Actually, I just wear it. I even asked my supervisor if it was ok. I would have no problem taking it out, but she told me she didn't think it was a big deal, and unless I found it to be distracting with students to not worry about it. I also have some very bright red streaks in my dark brown hair. I feel like my case is maybe different than most however. I teach in 3 highschools; one academic, one technical and one low-level. None of the teachers mind. I think they appreciated me asking first. My husband on the other hand must take out his nose ring while at work, and he teaches preschool.

I should probably add that I think it's always better to ask up frot and be willin to adhere to whatever. I also have size 2G stretched ears and I just wear plugs that look like big diamonds. They also said it's fine. But mind you each person will be reacted to differently. For me, I have a lot going for me in the eyes of many of my teachers. I am 1/2 Vietnamese which by default makes them immediately more comfortable because I resemble something comfortable, I'm married so they think I'm automatically responsible, I was a HS English teacher in the states which makes them believe I am very qualified. All those combined make it WAY easier on my life

[HamoHater]

They could possibly ask you about it when you sign up. It depends on the gym or onsen if they ask or not, and also if you lie or not, too. But, I know that tattoo-restrictions and questions do exist. Like a slightly different example, the 'Hadaka matsuri' (Naked Man Festival) in Okayama has a no-tattoo policy for the participants.

Interesting story about the naked man festival...I can't corroborate the facts so take it with a grain of salt...

I heard the reason tattoos are no good at the naked man festival in Okayama is because at one point it became quite popular for lots of the yakuza to join, then create these gangs and just kinda bash heads and knee-caps to get at whatever prize they're looking for during the festival. Yakuza members tend to be heavily tattood, and as such tattoos are banned.

I just looked it up on wikipedia and it's mentioned a little there too, though again with no source, so who knows. I just think it's kinda hilarious (kinda) to have this group of naked yakuza meandering around bashing kneecaps.

[YamanashiPAColeman]

I have a 3/4 sleeve and I have never had a problem with showing my tattoo. While at the Kencho I usually keep it covered, but some days I will push my sleeves up out of habit and there it is. I have had people ask me about it and want to touch it, but nothing negative. I think the key is knowing the people you show beforehand. Before I was a PA I was a high school ALT. My students knew I had a tattoo and so did my teachers. I often wore long sleeves and rolled them up twice in the summer. This showed the tattoo but also gave me an opportunity to drop the sleeve if it became an issue in class or the workroom. I know that we are representing our BOEs, but tattoos do not make people bad and I am of the opinion that it needs to be addressed (so I show them).

[YEWJT]

I know noone is placed in Tokyo city but when i was in holiday there, So MANY Japanese people had tattoos and piercings! Myself and my boyfriend were really shocked at first because we have always heard that Japanese people don't tend to have tattoos. There was a man with tattoos all down his arms and legs and was wearing shorts and a short sleeved top, I saw plenty of women and men with ear cartilage piercings and lots of women had small tattoos round their ankles. I even met a girl with a really large but pretty tattoo on her face (I was in a rock/alternative bar and she was from one of the bands playing that night, she came over to talk after the gig). So I wonder if you live in a city whether it is more normal now. The girl with the face tattoo was from Osaka.