Criminal Ink: the history and meaning behind Yakuza tattoos

Yakuza tattoos, are they simply the marks of criminals displaying their mafia affiliation for all to see? Or do these full-body masterpieces have a deeper meaning? How did they start? How did the tattoo or irezumi come to be associated with criminals and social outcasts? Find out in this week's episode! Further reading Japanese Tattoos History and Meaning A Guide to The Mythological Creatures of Japanese Irezumi Understanding The Language Of Irezumi History of Japanese Tattoo Books JAPANESE TATTOOS: HISTORY * CULTURE * DESIGN BY BRIAN ASHCRAFT JAPANESE TATTOOS: MEANINGS, SHAPES, AND MOTIFS BY YORI MORIARTY Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices