How the Yakuza Made Tattoo Culture Illegal in Japan | Under the Ink

Tebori describes the hand-carven technique of Japanese tattooing. It's a traditional method that dates back to the 17th century, but was once completely banned after being closely associated with the yakuza, Japan's organized crime syndicates.
Tattooing overall in Japan is taboo. The government itself deems that one must be a licensed health professional to tattoo, but the government isn't issuing licenses to tattoo, leaving the profession in a legal grey zone.
In the first episode of Under the Ink, we follow Horimasa Tosui, who tattoos in secret in order to practice his work.
See some of Horimasa's work on his Instagram: / horimasa_tosui
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How the Yakuza Changed Tattoo Culture in Japan | Under the Ink

[@beanz_29]

The way the colours become more vibrant over time is incredible.

[@EivindDaleBigDale]

@@debaterofeverythingpresent2775 That's andy from little britain

[@steve5912]

Your ugly asf Ian Rose

[@ConjointVR]

Ahh you Americans won’t get the reference 😂

[@Rin-bk6it]

But he only do black and white...

[@THE_REAL_VELIKAN]

I wish he was in the United states I would get a sleeve tattoo done by him😫😢

[@coyotefire69420]

His work is amazing and the color development really is stunning. I hope he continues his work and the law changes positively for Japan!

[@BothHands1]

Mr Doggo That must have been a long time ago. I have a fox's paw on my back, and i was let into the onsen and ryokan without any issue. If the marine was arrested recently, there must have been other factors involved, b/c you can't be arrested just for having a tattoo in Japan.

[@LucaPizzoplus]

@@BothHands1 yeah and they only "judge" japanese people with tattoos, so foreigners with tattoos are not seen in a bad way

[@campkira]

Not as long the majority of people sit work for organization...

[@dexxterlincoln5331]

The bible is against any form of markings in our bodies which are the temple of God.

[@xejune]

@@dexxterlincoln5331 That really depends on which version of the bible. And besides, if a god exists, he has much bigger fish to fry than to be all judgy of people who like decorating their skin.

[@kayilla6413]

its ironic how japanese tattoo is loved all over the world but it is looked down in japan.

[@digbyjones4203]

tattoos are for degenerates

[@devina8812]

Digby Jones I want to be the biggest degenerate of them all then!

[@NarasimhaDiyasena]

Lala Fontaine yeah it’s more than likely due to that, vid even mentioned that the Yakuza appropriated tattoo so when one thinks of tattoo they don’t think of historical edo period the think yakuza

[@ys0492]

@TheGhost Coming from a somewhat traditional Japanese family, I used to think the same! But the more I saw these delicate bodywork, I wanted to get one. Last year I went “rogue” and got a simple tattoo on my leg, and now all I’ve been thinking is getting more done!

[@digbyjones4203]

@PixeLTube that's more in the realm of "stupid". But yeah, still kinda degenerate

[@RayMak]

Japanese tattoo artists draw some of the best tattoos in the world... But they are nothing in Japan

[@guillaumechevallier2545]

Oh a Ray Mak comment with no answers yet... let's change this x)

[@Johnylancaster]

True

[@elipse0]

To be honest I wanted and aztec tattoo cause it look cool

[@RadTradX]

Ill sub if you tell me why you are on all the videos i watch, how is this mathematically possible

[@Sahil99413]

U are everywhere

[@sunfiredsam3427]

I had not heard of this type of tattooing until this video and I love it! I have tremendous appreciation and respect for Master Horimasa and his work.

[@tymnj7]

I have but I never get into why it was bad to have tattoos in Japan.

[@pierrefrancois1008]

@@tymnj7 Because it started with gangsters

[@publius791]

@@pierrefrancois1008 The video states the Yakuza adopted it, meaning it was around before that.

[@MarinoSesh420]

True but around the time Yakuza adopted it, Japanese society wasn't all about tattoo even i they're ancestors wore lol it was until the Yakuza brought it back and now it has left a bad image since it was by them. Overtime i think it will be more acceptable and especially in the next 20 years when most of the older generation is gone, sorry not sorry lol...

[@gutz323]

@@MarinoSesh420 I think I remember seeing a short documentary about Japanese tattooing history and I think once, along time ago (over 100 years ago I think) it was quite a common accepted thing, then, like it has been stated, the Yakuza adopted it and made people shun it. It's a shame really because the west has kind of adapted it and made the style what it is today I guess. It is a great style of art and one of my favourite types of tattooing to admire and look at,and I suppose there is a lot of meaning and history behind all of the different designs. I also love the traditional way this guy does it all by hand.

[@IndelibleHD]

Some of those tattoos are absolutely stunning.

[@yungblaede]

Yes crazy

[@daf676]

*all of them

[@VeganDefinition]

Too bad those tattoos are gonna look fucked up and cause you skin cancer when you get older.

[@IndelibleHD]

@@VeganDefinition What?

[@VeganDefinition]

@@IndelibleHD What do you not understand lmao?

[@vesterpop]

I love his perspective in the end: "I love the secrecy aspect of this culture." The beauty of counter-cultures is they don't always seek to be seen as legitimate or "normal."

[@polishherowitoldpilecki5521]

vesterpop Skatebaording use to be counter culture. Now it is the culture, their considered an Olympic sport now.

[@Unbeniamhable]

There’s an emphasis on the “artist” in “tattoo artist” here

[@jiblyjably]

All tattoo artists are artists.

[@devinwhitebear1380]

@@jiblyjably Not true, if you suck ass at what you do (tattooing) then it isn't art.

[@thug4lie]

Devin Whitebear if you don’t love what you do then you’re not an artist. Art is subjective.

[@devinwhitebear1380]

@@thug4lie a shitty artist can tell himself he did a good job, he ain't fooling anyone else though calling anyone that loves drawing/tattooing an artist is in my honest opinion an insult.

[@davidhaab]

@@devinwhitebear1380 bla bla bla

[@youtubesockz8797]

*ANYBODY* else think another 45 minutes of this would be nice,, *ME TOO*

[@jammasterj13]

Now those are proper tattoos, works of art..

[@もそら-f6u]

I admire how passionate he is about his work and art creations. It’s inspiring and has a great message.

[@deadhawk1212]

I'm not typically a fan of tattoos, and had always decided against ever getting them for myself, but that all changed when I'd seen Tebori for the first time. It's absolutely jaw-droppingly gorgeous, like having a vibrant painting strewn across one's body. I'd love for Tebori to become more normalized and commonplace, not just in Japan, but internationally, because it's just too amazing to leave as a taboo.

[@RiggyRonnie]

Who else is stuck in the never ending random video watching cycle KZbin so gladly provides to us?

[@andrerangel7654]

#metoo

[@aestheticsbyjasmine940]

Yep.

[@gil_7038]

I am!

[@delsintm691]

Me.

[@MrThistleMilk]

Japan has a tattooing culture way longer than the tebori artstyle that the Yakuza have and it dates back to the Heian period, that's more than a thousand years ago. The Ainu of the North for example were mostly tattooed and it had nothing to do with being an "Outlaw" it was just culture. Today tattooing is becoming more and more accepted in Japan and slowly but surely this stigma that's only been around for a few hundred years will break. Definitely not anytime soon though because I still got weird looks there when I wore a t-shirt and had my sleeves out.

[@lucasgabriele9534]

@Tomahawk_boy it will get better the natives of japan will keep there tattooing practice

[@RÅNÇIÐ]

An entire artform stigmatized. Very sad.

[@beigestallion2929]

It is indeed very sad Denis, very sad...

[@NemechekFan87]

@PhuongHD Le publicize your channel elsewhere

[@NemechekFan87]

You can thank organizied crime in Japan

[@digbyjones4203]

yeah.... because only 90% of prisoners have tattoos while 90% of people without criminal records lack ink. Tattoos are for degenerates.

[@cockiesun]

@Agatha jay Agreed. The video even ends with him saying, "There's beauty in something that's hidden." Without stigmatisation, it wouldn't be hidden. There's two sides to everything.

[@Paradoxical]

The colours are so amazing, makes me want to get one myself. Thanks Vice lol

[@raisbouka4010]

Vice never disappoints.

[@Law_desu15]

@Oscar 7 bro if you're not watching their network channel you're sleep

[@Mario-sy4nw]

Vice frequently disappoints especially on politics and being a shill for the DNC. Like Vox they do best when covering culture and worst at politics.

[@mitch150]

They definitely do. lots of videos on how to smoke weed and crap. Then they make gems like this here. :)

[@rsizm7687]

Especially on Japan episode. 🇯🇵❤️

[@Wolfpunkz]

My quest to get to japan and get a tattoo from him begins

[@delgs69]

Can you give us an update of you so called quest?

[@gasparblackmetal9266]

He's on Instagram

[@Therealtazangel]

Wait for me I’m still in high school 😭

[@tinapaa7034]

What the fuck happened

[@blackdahlia6870]

Please make a vlog about your quest

[@umranran4095]

pretty fun to watch video. well done vice!

[@datsunliam5514]

I absolutely love the japanese. So humble and respectful. The way they call their artist "master".. the client and even even the artist himself referring to his teacher.

[@invisibleselfbodyart8920]

I love his work. I had a half sleeve done by him about 12 years ago.

[@Saidderk]

How did you contact him?

[@marktero]

How much was the work?

[@invisibleselfbodyart8920]

@@Saidderk he did a guest spot at the studio I used to work at

[@invisibleselfbodyart8920]

@@marktero I think it was $200 an hour. it's been a while

[@johnnycage435]

Dominick arduino dayum your balling ,how much got done within your time frame ?

[@thirstaefortae5057]

Ah! That sound the needle makes when he does the tattoo gives me the heebie jeebies! Beautiful work, but I wouldn’t be able to suffer through the pain

[@BothHands1]

I get the opposite feeling, like chills and a rush up my shoulders to my neck, i wanna be in that chair lol

[@datsunliam5514]

I wonder if the pain is relative to the gun. The noise the gun makes, although gives me that butterfly feeling, is quite daunting to some

[@BothHands1]

Datsun Liam The hum of the gun is like hypnosis, the droning sound feels like a trance. Though presumably the same trance-like state can be obtained without a tattoo gun, with the sounds of his hands adeptly applying ink where it needs to go, the sounds of his breathing and your heartbeat in your chest. I imagine the world would fade into static, much like in an ordinary tattoo experience.

[@datsunliam5514]

@@BothHands1 yeah i would agree to that. But as a newb the gun would sound intimidating, but it tickles me

[@cuppatae834]

@@BothHands1 same! I absolutely LOVE it

[@felixlopez1801]

Please Japan. Don't lose these beautiful customs and culture. Be proud of your art. Show it to the world. Don't let the passing of time erase your identity. Don't let Anime and technology replace a great historic culture. Be proud Japan. Cheers from Mexico.

[@Jake-vy1yl]

This would be insane to have on your body, the artwork is incredible. Wow.

[@Rijo27]

you just see the passion and respect that master Horimasa has for tattoo and tattooing. I hope to one day get a tebori tattoo done, specifically in Japan. I just hope that master Horimasa will still be tattooing when that time comes

[@LPboy77]

I love the sound of the needle. It demonstrates the pain and the beauty of tattooing art. It’s simply magnificent

[@luismedeiros7139]

It reminds me when my barber shaves the remaining hair on my neck

[@joeparker2725]

I've seen this method first from Hori Hiro but I didn't have a clue that the colors become more vibrant this way, it's amazing.

[@imbiork]

The artwork is beautiful!

[@qmillomadeit]

This is some REAL craftsmanship, also this is the type of vice I enjoy watching.

[@wileycheng6360]

i love how bright and bold the colors are. this style really is unique !

[@cuppatae834]

Those are AMAZING omg. What beautiful pieces of art 💜

[@MyUnoriginalLife]

that man's shoulder piece of the dragon is one of the most stunning tattoos i've ever seen. just,, wow.

[@antonioalegria1412]

I’m booking a flight ASAP.

[@SatyeshKatragaddaSK]

Wow! Just a video triggered you to book flight ticket means u should be very rich😅

[@dafonline]

I sincerely hope this Tebori won't turn into a dying art. Incredible work. Props to VICE for covering it.

[@DreySantesson]

The whole thing is changing gradually with the new generations, a few years ago you could see tattoos just around the underground areas ( Roppongi, Nanba station etc. ) Nowadays you can see Japanese people with tattoos at the mall, and I'm not just talking about the most famous prefectures, I've seen quite a few around Wakayama.

[@DemonCoreEntertainment]

Love the artists work and I think Vice did a great job with this interview

[@augustus331]

Very interesting mini-docu. I love to learn more about the far-East. As a European, I don't know much about how their world is. It's great to have a glimpse of it.

[@jesusbonnie]

Amazing work from the artist and amazing work Vice for the content.

[@lautaroa1017]

His work is just absolutely astonishing it looks so good, I would travel to Japan to get a tattoo done by him.

[@rosadaniela9487]

So many of these Japanese tattoo artists have so much pride in what they do, heartwarming it is really.

[@tmzebe530]

This was cool and informing. Thanks. Well done

[@jared_deraj]

thank you yakuza video game series for making me wonder about this topic. very cool video. i'd love to have this style of tattoo one day.

[@randomdude7384]

finally some good content from Vice, good looks

[@28-r8b]

he's right, there is a beauty in having them hidden and somewhat taboo. it adds so much more weight and meaning to the tattoo itself and stops the superficial proliferation of tattoos that once had real significance like has happened here in the west.

[@typet4674]

nice one, hope someday we will able to interview him on our channel !

[@franko8572]

A lot of this has to do with WW2, after the loss, Japan did a weird thing. Japan basically went from “imperial Japan” to losing that identity, they started to actually look to the United States and it’s culture and emulate it. Their constitution is even based on the the same one the United States of America has. Anyways, Japan adopted a lot of our beliefs too, including become a sexually repressive country, while they never were before. Tattoos were apart of the shift. The United States grew and started to accept tattoo’s, but Japan’s culture largely stayed the same, they’re stuck in 1950’s America is really a way to look at it. In many ways, that’s good because they’re very regimented as a society, but the down side is any personal individualism doesn’t really exist.

[@rayflower1915]

Never thought I was going to get a tattoo but I'm pretty sure it will happen.

[@xdxp2095]

Traitor

[@dexxterlincoln5331]

Don't get tatoos, the bible says those with tatoos will not inherit the kingdom of heaven.

[@rayflower1915]

@@dexxterlincoln5331 No one cares buddy:)

[@xdxp2095]

@@dexxterlincoln5331 your absoulty white o Sorry I mean white I mean right

[@mariuskaupas]

@@dexxterlincoln5331 GTFO BOZZOOOO

[@marksenpai4803]

hope this dude never stop cuz i wanna get my first tattoo from him ''whole upper body'' like a yakuza and my quest begins now , see you in years to come

[@8ddn]

love these type of interesting videos

[@chimeraelite]

Say what you will about Vice but goddamn I will NEVER get tired of their documentaries covering either warzones or different aspects of art. Much respect.

[@SuperMcgman]

So how would you go about getting a tattoo done by this amazing artist

[@steshar2975]

goto Japan

[@jeromevillona8248]

i hope he keeps going cause its beautiful work

[@weeziteer]

We need more of this! Love Japanese tattoos and the people creating these works of art

[@chhehehhelopiksda2427]

Amazing fun video. Well done I enjoyed this

[@TheFn414]

Those back tattoos are insane...... and how much pain with the technique must be crazy.

[@Eidos2012]

100 + hours of pain dude

[@TheFn414]

@@Eidos2012 insane.... so beautiful tho

[@Kabkabmbujimayi]

Great doc !

[@heck-chan]

you better still be a tattoo artist when i get my irezumi one day

[@nastyham5302]

cool documentary again, keep it up vice and i might just re subscribe

[@justinreyesv]

So precise and methodical

[@v.t.6890]

👍👍👍Not the fan of tattoos but love them as an artform and his work is amazing. Love and cheers from India.👍👍👍

[@idontevenknow3707]

Vivek Tiwari not a fan of tattoos *on yourself* but love them as an art form. Otherwise what you said is redundant.

[@wongfeihung8718]

I dream of getting a whole back tattoo made by one of these great masters. A hannya or an umiboshi or a majestic crane would be spectacular.

[@Tiger42s]

Japanese and American traditional are like the oldest style with the most history to it. Beautiful

[@Tikolico]

The most beautiful tattoos I have ever seen in my life.

[@PratikBabar]

The koi and dragon in the beginning were from nishkiyama and Kiryu from the Yakuza series

[@brentharmonyaxalan]

this is the vice i subscribed for!

[@rahilhasan9095]

man its such a beauty the patterns are incredible

[@rovksshow7733]

Vice keep making videos like these

[@BeTheResilient1]

My dad had these tattoos I wish I could find a artist in USA that could do them as well as my dads in Japan

[@sssbattleaxe]

I'm going to Tokyo next year for the Olympics and I'm seriously considering a small piece like this by tebori tattooing.

[@forevershampoo]

I agree its kinda better to have your tats hidden it keeps people guessing rather than everyone just labeling you from the jump

[@christineventresca1729]

I need a tattoo done in that style. They’re always so gorgeous and so intricately done. 🖤

[@andoresue]

More quality content like this, please 👍🏼

[@JessSoapbox]

"my tattoo artists tend to keep their work a secret..." Camera pans over to tattoo artists face.

[@CuriousOne75]

4:05 As a Tattoo Artist i feel offended by this statement... its false, and its propaganda. Pigment doesnt get better over the years... it only gets worst. It is a basic chemical process. Light + UV will bleach the Pigments. Also on another sidenote... Tebori is FAR more trauma for the skin compaired to machines. Example at 1:54 that White Ring? Its Scar Tissue. Something that shouldnt happen with Tattoos.

[@CuriousOne75]

Something more to add... i do respect his Art, his Style and his old traditions. Dont get a wrong impression. But he is clearly talking Smack... magic ink.... yeah right :P

[@GhoskyIsBack]

I just want to say to people in this comment section who say "now this is art" or "now this is a tattoo artist", there's tons of tattoo artists in the world that create art, good or bad, by no means am I saying japanese tattooing isn't art nor that it's bad, it's clearly good, but for you to say "now this is a tattoo artist" is to imply that there's not a ton more just as talented in their own ways all over the world.

[@kubalesniak8188]

I want to go Japan and get a tattoo now, I've never been a fan of them but seeing these works of art is just beautiful

[@gambeano]

The colors look crazy! I will definitely look into getting sleeves done by him in the next 5 years. Hopefully he stays doing this by then 😅😅

[@ДмитрийДуплинский-э5ц]

thank you for the work, guys :)

[@paceydog1]

Beautiful work

[@frankiegamble92]

Wonder what leads the colour to become more vibrant over time?

[@tytig94]

Not using a tattoo machine

[@dexteww]

Where can I find this dude exactly?🙇‍♂️

[@TheSoneky]

At 0:04 is that dragon and koi tattoo kiryus and nisikiyamas respectively?

[@mxkaka]

the koi looks like nishiki's but the dragon looks very different

[@fudo3533]

TheSoneky the artist who made the yakuza game tattoos is horitomo san, his style changed tho

[@xstr8range]

This makes me want to get a Tebori piece so much more

[@kotahurt]

Master Horimasa, is he lord of his domain?, the sound of running water and the smell of petrichor and cherry blossoms in winter make me cry... it is sad to think of lost at mount fuji... it looks sick from the cctv in Nagaike Shinsui park!

[@oliviacolburn9623]

How do the colors become more vibrant over time?

[@whatitdohomeynigguwh]

the fierce tiger back piece is soooo sick!!!

[@cowboy_levi6283]

This sounds like it hurts the scraping but all in all beautiful tattooing

[@codygolden7074]

That dragon around the ramen guys arm is badass

[@kryptichands968]

Fucking astonishing linework and shading. All respect

[@eriafhionnuisce1699]

For some reason I have this feeling, that this gap was left on purpose: as old people work by old-style & newbies need to get a medical license. They continue their work, concurrency is regulated somehow, and future generations are the first step in regulating the industry once the old masters will die.

[@MrJPEscobar]

Does anyone know why the colours become more vibrant with this method? Is it the ink or the method that influences this? Such an amazing skill, this man could make a fortune in the west.

[@itskavin1]

That tiger back piece looks amazing

[@vegasus4503]

I have not a single tattoo on my body, but I do like the Japanese style tattoos. I really like the visuals and the style of how they look. If it's the first tattoo's I get definitely it's Japanese style tattoos. Something about the Japanese, the food and culture. Funny though I've lived in Southeast Asia for 8 years, but I have never been to Japan. It's one of my list of destination to visit next time I travel over to Asia.

[@Kalashnikov_Respecter]

Black and grey/white japanese traditional > I was STOKED when he said he preferred doing it that way that's awesome

[@OMG3DBEAT]

The tattoo at 6:32 is it just black and then his skin or is it black and a gold/yellow alongside it. Asking as it looks amazing and intrigued if it is a singular colour or two.

[@lukehenry6712]

Vice dropping heat again finally.

[@nikhilm907]

Where can I see more of this artist’s work?

[@skinc4rver]

These tattoos are amazing. Not a huge Vice fan, but these are awesome.

[@soulpaua2097]

Awesome video. It will be interesting seeing how the Japanese publics reacts to the players & fans of the RWC later in the year. Most players are covered in one form or another and same goes for fans.

[@jacesanchez4003]

Vice is back!