Japan's Traditional Tattoos Are Celebrated at This Underground Pilgrimage

Tattoos are stigmatized in Japan because they're associated with gangs. But a centuries-old tattoo art called "horimono" is seen by some as spiritual and fundamental to Japanese culture. Every summer, a group of Japanese people go on this pilgrimage in the mountains to celebrate these tattoos together.
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[@VICENews]

WATCH NEXT: Housing has always been an issue in America's elite resort towns, pricing out local workers who keep the mountains running. Now the country's biggest ski resort operator and the town of Vail are locked in a fight over an affordable housing project. - kzbin.info/www/bejne/h5yVo4ZpaMtgjc0

[@sponjbob911]

Everybody gangsta until all the uncles take off their clothes

[@smarc1325]

😃👍 i am... uncles.. 🙋‍♂️🥳

[@exen3980]

They already said it ain't about scaring people

[@sponjbob911]

@@exen3980 tipu la tak cuak dgn yakuza😂

[@exen3980]

@@sponjbob911 tu aku stuju wkwk

[@PandaZelda]

More like, all the uncles are gangsta when they take their clothes off. In more than just one way. 😳 Haha jk

[@in_my_milkyway]

大山詣り。慣れ親しんだ祖母の実家が出てきてとても驚いたと同時に誇らしいです。私が本当に小さな頃から彫勇會の皆さんが夏にお詣りにいらっしゃるため私も準備を手伝いに行っていました。私の両親にもタトゥーがあり幼い頃からこのような皆さんの姿を見てきたためただただ、幼い私の心にはかっこいいという感情しかありませんでした。この映像を見て彫り物の文化がもっと広く知られれば良いなと思います。この映像に出てくる先導師、祖母の弟は一昨年亡くなりましたが、素晴らしい人でした。

[@TheLittleAzn]

Whoever was in charge of the bgm did a fantastic job. This guy knows Japanese traditional music very well. Props to you dude.

[@MrChestercheeto007]

Yeah, it sounds really nice. Any idea what the song is called?

[@annapaneva9007]

MrChestercheeto007 hagoromo -susumu yokota

[@ImJustJaime]

@NihlusGreen It's in the credits.

[@BADCOMPANYBAZ]

I was tripping 🎉

[@ajhail3488]

@@MrChestercheeto007 It's called 'Etenraku' by the Tokyo Gagaku ensemble, would also recommend checking out some stuff by the imperial court ensemble like 'Jussuiraku'. Just generally sick music tbh, super atmospheric.

[@Watcher413]

This is the Vice I come here for and love

[@xbaxepic]

This mini documentary is fire. 🔥

[@samahell9488]

+1

[@aaronbenhaggai973]

Even after years those tattoos still look so good

[@madbrah8361]

Bold will hold ;)

[@JD-oe5uc]

They will only look better after years due to the tebori (hand poked) and ink. In contrary to machine tattoos they need years before they looks really good. Besides they don’t ‘parade’ with their tattoos in the sun/on the beach. UV is your biggest enemy....

[@elmalanmalan2175]

@@JD-oe5uc that's why Tebori technique is far superior than machine in the long run

[@VICENews]

Every summer, a group of Japanese people go on this pilgrimage in the mountains to celebrate these tattoos together. WATCH NEXT: Some Elderly People in Japan Are Going to Jail on Purpose - kzbin.info/www/bejne/l36pnXSIiN9lmbM

[@udornyc]

This is so well done! Thank you Vice! I wear a horimono tattoo, done by the famous (in Japan) traditional master, Horicho of Asakusa (I have no information if Horicho-san is still alive. He was not well and retiring 20 years ago, when he worked on me) and his, then master student and name successor Horicho II. My back design was worked on by Horisei of Yokohama and, after over a decade, needs to be finished, as Horisei is back in Japan. surrealities-of-udor.tumblr.com/post/102228044688/master-horicho-of-asakusa-madame-nakano-horicho This short documentary is really enjoyable and I hope you will show more of that kind of quality.

[@dominicalvin]

arent all of them yakuza?

[@udornyc]

​@@dominicalvin No, they are not. There are politicians and school teachers, regular people etc. that are wearing horimono. But they keep covered because of the stigma in society which is perpetrated mostly by the media and pop culture, etc. I have seen a documentary of a teacher who has even his face tattooed. They showed his daily routine of applying a certain type of makeup that fully covers his facial tattoos. If he would show them at school, he certainly would lose the job. So, there is a huge underground culture of traditional Japanese tattoos and there is only one day really, where all tattooed people with traditional tattoos, regular people and yakuza celebrate their love for this old traditional artform and that's the Sanja Matsuri festival in Tokyo's Asakusa district.(Asakusa is the older temple district of Tokyo, where many famous traditional artists, such as Horicho of Asakusa, who worked on me. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanja_Matsuri

[@uchihamadaraXD]

This was amazing, and quite inspiring if I may say. Even though I'm not Japanese, the way they spoke about their Horimono resonated with some of my beliefs. This brings me to my question, a foreigner can join this group of men on this pilgrimage?

[@DanielB_Music]

@@udornyc looks nice

[@mamabear3217]

They have the most beautiful tatoos

[@oscara8454]

@Jamey Craig i hear work culture kinda sucks.

[@dimasakbar7668]

Most beautiful *horimono.

[@Merosity]

This needed to be 1.5 hours long

[@ursula8039]

Traditional tattoos are so beautiful. And how these tattoos aged, really amazed me. The colors are still rich.

[@BionicleFanatic100]

This is some of the most chill stuff I've seen from this channel. Great work.

[@RichardSilvius]

I love that the tattoos are aspirational. Such a beautiful tradition - I hope it gains more acceptance within Japanese culture.

[@user-wl7um5rp4h]

Hahahahaha! Is it culturally acceptable? 100% it doesn't. Because it's a culture of marks for prisoners. Only idiots, young people and yakuza have tattoos in Japan now.🤣

[@user-dk6er8kz7b]

@@user-wl7um5rp4h 動画の意図全く理解してなくて草

[@user-wl7um5rp4h]

@@user-dk6er8kz7b コメントスレにレスしてんのに動画の意図とか大草原不可避

[@user-dk6er8kz7b]

@@user-wl7um5rp4h まさにその返答が理解してない事を証明してるな。 大草原不可避とか言ってる奴まだいたんだ。

[@user-wl7um5rp4h]

@@user-dk6er8kz7b 漫画に憧れてるのは理解してやった。 しかしだ、入れるならカーチャンの許可とれよ草

[@ItsNotChow]

It's so awesome seeing older dudes with tattoos. The artistry and time put into each piece is insane

[@WelfareChrist]

A yearly pilgrimage to show your full body tattoo to the gods?! Coolest pilgrimage ever, and even cooler that it looks like it’s primarily gray haired men lol

[@wellthen4948]

@Kwok Yat Wai says in the video they show their ink to the GODS… not kami.

[@TheQismaster]

You cant realy translate Kami because its his own thing but if you need to explane it you can say its something like gods/ghosts

[@dustyscout253]

Educational and engaging! Love the way this doc was edited and the choice of music. Well done cast and crew.

[@123jeffries123]

Really love how open minded that priest is ..

[@Homeboy8227]

I really enjoy the celebration of men being men. They have honor in themselves and their ideals/ background. Very admirable.

[@garlicfan23]

Whats better than this, just guys being dudes

[@mrcrowleybr]

Is it really a men only ritual? There was an old lady in the midst of the old guys when the girls were handing over sake to everyone there, and as shes dressed up as everyone else that she might have horimono as well.

[@xiaoma4297]

@@mrcrowleybr the Girl dress are different its was a dress for Priests girl

[@mrcrowleybr]

@@xiaoma4297 i did not say anything about a dress and/or dresses. Dress as in wear(verb) a piece of clothing. Cheers.

[@jameswinterfield7]

@@mrcrowleybr 13:51 there are some ladies and right on the next scene of the girl serving them sake there's a lady on the line

[@markyetter7225]

thank you for taking me through this magnificient ceremony. I ve been watching for many years and you taught me so much. Love

[@blaqstar]

Born and raise in borneo island where tattoo is cultural thing. Most tattoo here tell story or specifically a journey of tattooed person. Even though tattoo here is not frown upon by the masses, most new generation prefer foreign tattoo.

[@MIZORAM_mafaka_hnamte]

Japanese tattoos are timeless beauty...

[@sentientbean1]

Are you a taxidermist?

[@JaCkalgames88]

@@sentientbean1 wtf?

[@comradepolarbear6920]

@@sentientbean1 huh ???

[@jtof9371]

@@sentientbean1 tf u on?

[@kojiyaw]

Indeed

[@annabelle19]

This was beautifully made. May Mr.Takeshi Rest In Peace. 🇯🇵

[@tawhiomartin2184]

Vice , you done me proud love watching informative things that also has art involved love this

[@user-ps2pi9qj6g]

彫り物と刺青の違い知れて勉強になった

[@mcfarofinha134]

だろう？自分も知らんかった

[@lancegambit9851]

Cool Susuma Yokota Music, You dont't hear enough of his work.

[@ArtOfficialKreations]

now *THIS* is an amazing upload! (so, im guessing it must be old..). but either way, thanks for the entrancing mini-doc!

[@XimenaZhaoArchive]

I loved this. Thank you so much for sharing their story.

[@firecattle]

和彫りは芸術だと思ってますが、ヤクザと彫り物が長年の関係があるのも事実です。 現在は知りませんが過去には江戸彫勇會の会員に小金井一家の七代目総長などヤクザ(博徒)の人達もいましたし（写真が残っている）。 当初は会員になる条件の一つが著名彫師である初代彫宇之に彫ってもらってる事でしたが、彫宇之は会津小鉄の初代である上坂仙吉の子分でもあった。 現在の山口組の二次団体「国粋会」の前身である右翼団体「大日本国粋会」の理事長だった梅津勘兵衛が二代目彫宇之と江戸彫勇會の会員達と写っている写真だってある。 もちろん当時のヤクザが今の暴力団と同じ存在だったわけじゃないからそれが悪いとは言わない。 5:56 江戸(神田)彫勇會の結成年は1902年(明治35年)だから本当は118年目です、団体名から江戸時代に結成したと勘違いしてますね。 元々は神田地区出身者の集まりだったから神田だったけど、10年後に神田以外にも拡大して江戸に名前を変更した経緯がある。 7:41 コメント見て気づきましたが右の人の胸に山口組の代紋である「山菱」が彫ってありますね、今もヤクザ（暴力団員）が会員にいるんですね。

[@user-eg5mz7ux1u]

実話系の雑誌によると近年は綺麗なヤクザも増えているそうです。

[@socks_cat356]

彫し師は区別しない

[@Onetwo8505]

こいつうぜーな

[@Nev3r1]

Sad that they have to hide it they seemed so happy during all of it

[@Omabatfartsbruh]

i mean until they don't

[@graficomedellin]

Thank you i love this film!!!

[@gangrel_76]

There was a lot of smiling throughout this documentary. I really enjoyed that

[@MrBenjaminsavage]

This is beautiful. Thank you!

[@igorjee]

When you think you have seen enough, Japan never ceases to amaze.

[@myhouseimports]

WOW! What a beautiful composition!

[@madmikemike]

This is beautiful. I wish I could be apart of something like this

[@purphazenem1197]

Great work. More beautiful stuff like this

[@iRvinCKF115]

This kind of content is the reason why I subscribed to Vice!

[@meg7088]

Beautiful and still done the old way and the tattooist "WoW"

[@jon-umber]

Beautiful tradition, thank you for sharing with us!

[@kenny8763]

As a famous master Hori-shi(tattooist) once said, The irezumi(Japanese tattoo) is beautiful in its own way, because it’s kept hidden. It has a dark beauty of its own, which is lost when shown off.

[@jonbertocchi173]

my tattooist uses irezumi in the title of his shop.

[@AllyaComfreak]

I think doing a pilgrimage to only pay respects to the gods with traditional art on their skin is incredibly powerful

[@Nicolas-uu3jr]

you keep doing what you are doing Senpais, Japan keeps getting cooler and cooler😎👍

[@roderickasante3730]

Nice documentary. Traditional Japanese tattoos are lovely to watch.very art looking.

[@SwitchFBproductions]

So great. Super awesome to see people connecting.

[@Sweetybboy]

i love everything from Japan, it is a marvelous country.

[@vexx12343]

Working on my full horimono right now just finished a sleeve and chest panel

[@BarkingCrowe]

Great video vice, keep it up!

[@EightfoldTattoo]

Great documentary, thank you for making.

[@atefbenothman1737]

So I was listening to Susumo Yokota then I pause to watch this video, and they play his music. Hahah I'm not complaining

[@atefbenothman1737]

The first track u hear in this video is Susumo Yokota-Hagoromo from his album Sakura

[@aphexbubblebath]

acid mt. fuji is one of my fav albums of all time

[@PhilipLemoine]

Vice, yall make the best tattoo culture content.

[@unculturedswine7012]

Their tats are out of this world 100% art💗

[@mylesmejia6854]

Starting my horimono in June. I watch this like once a day.

[@JD-oe5uc]

Enjoy your journey! Still busy with mine ;) And I watch this also at least weekly..

[@seththebeatmxchine]

I actually liked this video, good job VICE .

[@mwhodatboi]

The editors did a really good job with this one 🙌

[@smittywerbenjaegermanjense2350]

Crazy thing is some of these pieces are 30+ years old and still look as vibrant and beautiful today as they did the day they were finished. Such a beautiful long lasting style. I hope I can go to Japan one day to get a full arm sleeve done.

[@regulator8276]

More of this please!

[@synnacastroman3813]

Beautiful art!

[@shanemathews4177]

That was beautiful.

[@lepetitpedro]

Amazing, i’m fascinated with japanese culture!

[@marnat5961]

Interesting! When the people pass the tattoos are gone forever. I took a picture of my dad his tattoo so I could remember it . I always thought the Yakuza were the ones with the full body tattoos. Great job on educating us… love VICE!

[@99thinfantrydivision-histo77]

Awesome tradition!! Love Japanese culture and history.

[@deadlyzone8304]

This place looks lit i want to live there like there's no better combo mountains trees in woods in tattoos and being tattooed

[@askthehaters]

37 generations!! wow, I barely know about the people 4 generations back. Thanks colonization

[@robertpetrov1343]

Beautiful. Japanese culture never ceases to amaze me. Im absolutely inlove with traditional japanese tattoos and the country as a whole. I’ll definitely visit this amazing place one day. 🙏🏼

[@robynmeyer7796]

Just do it…you will have happy memories for eternity!

[@hui-an-xin]

Wonderful documentary.

[@throne988]

Quite educational, I love it.

[@itsjeninMass]

This is beautiful. Thank you for sharing this with us.

[@milesdglok9626]

beautiful film

[@Hassy]

I hope to get one for myself one day...Such a beautiful piece of art to keep with you forever.

[@robynmeyer7796]

This an important part of Japanese culture and history…a blend of honour, respect and spirituality. Thanks Vice for opening the door and providing the world with a taste of understanding…what a sacred setting for a pilgrimage…

[@muirenoleander]

5:06 respect for you sir. And this documentary too dedicated to you.

[@Troy428492]

Japanese tattoos are the best and it's definitely underrated.

[@vans4fans]

Fantastic piece of history.

[@robynmeyer7796]

Absolutely!

[@vn3119]

This was such a beautiful documentary. My only complaint were the stupid ads that distorted the peacefulness of this video.

[@antious]

God Bless - what an amazing episode, I cant wait to visit Japan ❣️

[@rangodeldiablo]

I have always thought Japanese tattoos were just gorgeous. They are true works of art. And I have deep respect for anyone who have the balls to get a full body tattoo. I would at most do my pectoral and shoulder. I might get sleeves, but I probably wouldn't because I couldn't wear t shirts in Japan.

[@TheEquilibrium47]

The girl pouring sake is so cute

[@reapgaming4320]

3:34 😍😍😍 i would go Crazy she gave me those puppy eyes

[@Homeboy8227]

@@reapgaming4320 I think you meant 14:09 but yeah she is very pretty

[@mrnarason]

Simp

[@DOWNERK1226]

Nah he meant 3:34

[@claudinlumpio3674]

Like japan traditions is the reason why i want to visit the place,someday somehow

[@analozada9475]

What a super cool tradition. 🖤✨🤘

[@knowun]

Let my body be a canvas to tell the story of my people

[@danemassie3750]

I don’t have any tattoos but I’ve felt drawn to Japanese culture my entire life. If I had the guts to one day get a tattoo I’d want it to be exactly like the ones in this film

[@roshanoraon1879]

Same with me I'm not even Japanese but I feel a kind of attachment to Japanese culture.

[@tubethis777]

Same here, as Latin American growing up did martial arts, watched many movies, dated Asians, got involved in the food culture and hope one day to do a long visit. Don't have a tattoo yet but already have the design

[@hugewangsan3060]

No you should have an original one made. Use elements of the ones you saw and liked on this video but don't just rip it off. And don't rush getting one, just think because it doesn't come off if you didn't know :)

[@rangodeldiablo]

Completely with you their. From the bottom of my heart I love and admire Japanese culture.

[@baly4611]

I think you should have something which represents your culture, it's cringe when people from the other side of the world have a full blown japanese body suit tattoo.

[@Nipplator99999999999]

I can't say I would be able to withstand the process required for a horimono, but I can understand the meaning behind it (as well as an outsider looking in is able). I have a full back duality faceoff scene between good and evil angelic warriors. It started as a way to accept and heal after sudden acute lead poisoning. The good is covering the scar caused when the best caught the round, and evil masks the scar it didn't. It was going to continue to grow after being completed, but the artist died before completing the full scene, and I can't let him be washed away by anyone else finishing it.

[@JaredBusch]

I have a Japanese sleeve with a very significant sentimental meaning behind it. this mini doc was fantastic.

[@rolux4853]

But you’re a white boy reviewing computers? No offense, but that’s a whole different culture..

[@MrScar665]

@@rolux4853 Since when having something Japanese means you have to intergrate in their culture? I drive a car made in Germany. Does that mean I need to est bratwurst and visit Oktoberfest? 😂

[@defenselessmoms]

@@rolux4853 as long as hes representing the culture respectfully then I don't see any issues. Personally I see it as appreciation.

[@ratmatix7497]

@@rolux4853 due to the stigmatized nature of tattoos in Japanese society the artform found a home in the west, its not like polonysian tattooing where there are sacred family symbols and rules, Japanese tattoos can be given by anyone capable and worn by anyone willing. In fact there is a whole subsect if Japanese tattooing largely begun by edd hardy after being the first westerner to train with tattoo artists in Japan that uses the style of Japanese tattooing but often with brighter colors, different takes of subject matter, and other minor differences you begin to notice when you spend to much time looking at tattoos

[@bobbirdsong6825]

@@ratmatix7497 Even then there are countless types of symbols from polynesian tattoo culture that anyone can use, including non-polynesians

[@emancebo13]

“It is undeniably a precious part of our culture, and we must keep it alive...”

[@tec0]

nice documentary

[@user-up4is1ri9o]

日本には侍、忍者以外にも面白い文化が沢山あります。刺青も1つの文化、まさに町人文化の代表。

[@andyaustin1564]

Beautiful culture....

[@eyeluvai]

I don't know how You Tube algorism recommended this but I'm glad it did! I am Japanese, born and raised in Japan but didn't know anything about this...(I've misunderstood that those people who has old Japanese styled tattoos are all yakuza members) What a beautiful culture!!

[@FMTMEDIA]

Amazing

[@Badassery666]

I was honored to receive a traditional tebori piece from Horiyoshi 3 in 1991 , life affirming experience.

[@sebastianchellew6229]

amazing

[@johnsmith-so5do]

7:55 was there really a time in Japan where showing off your horimono was accepted ?

[@insertname956]

Yes, from what I've heard, it was originally people like firemen who had horimono to protect themselves from curses or yokais

[@huseyinek4803]

You crazy geezers! You all are amazing. I am pleased to watch it.

[@damienevans4817]

Awesome documentary.

[@mskima001]

Once again it shows why Japan is so Great and Unique, the most advanced and developed Nation on Earth still 'holdng strong' to their old traditions and culture !! Amazing short documentary.

[@sundown007]

영상 과 내용이 멋있어요 잘보고있습니다~^^

[@Sean-yo7ge]

I’m Japanese. I do think this style of Japanese tattoo called “horimono” is very beautiful and artistic. At the same time, I really hate the fact that this is used as a symbol of gangs. Getting tattoo comes with a lot of restrictions because of them. I wish this would be accepted as merely an art.

[@almagabriela2021]

We do

[@ktmmatt7243]

Give it time

[@Quantum-]

The more people that get them, the better accepted they will become. They've only recently been accepted fully in American culture. 10-20 years ago tattoos on certain parts of the body were seen as trashy or gross. And the people wearing them would be seen as uneducated. But as more people wear them, that view is no longer the public view. Some people still have their own opinion but they're far better accepted now.

[@willywalter4939]

Oh what’s this the old vice is back 👌

[@NitroNeus]

Alright so where do i sign up?

[@abdulrahimanbinali6832]

Awesome tatoos bro👍👍👍👏👏👏

[@rhyzhyn]

some people admire the artist that makes the art, but not the people that have been carrying the art itself on there backs.