By Rev. Jim Purcell, MPS (Ret.)
"Irezumi" is the name used for Japanese tattooing. Some scientists believe the very first tattoos in Japan were done during the Jomon period (about 10,000 BCE). While some scientists dispute this, believers in this theory point to cord marked patterns on faces, bodies and art of the period do represent the first tattoos ever given.
The next period is Yayoi (about 300 BCE to 300 AD). These were chronicled by Chinese visitors to Japan. And, these designs were noted to have great spiritual significance.
Then, beginning in the Kofun period, tattoos started to have negative connotations placed on them when criminals were marked as part of punishment.
As well as Irezumi, traditional Japanese tattooing was influenced by the Ainu people, whom are indigenous to Japan. Thee people used tattooing for social and decorative reasons.
It is of some note that Irezumi is a very painful process and, when done today in traditional style, it remains that way.
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