S0 VAIN FASHION
TATTOOS OF THE WORLD
By Selene Oliva
Japan
Today the tattoo has become either a decoration of the body or a symbol that states a deeper meaning. There is not a half way between the two. People usually want a tattoo to remember or forget something or someone. Perhaps in today’s society, it is more difficult to find a person who has no tattoos at all, despite seeing people who do not have the courage to do one. But in reality, is there anything hiding behind the tattoo itself? A true culture, that’s what tattoos are, perhaps the richest in history. In reality, this art was born as a form of punishment similar to the branding of slaves, in sharp contrast to the pure decorative tattoo called “Gaman”.
In it is an integral part of society and Japanese tattoos are inspired by traditional designs such as those made for kimonos, samurai robes or clothes in general. In fact, the Japanese tattoos were created within the Japanese culture as a true art until the emperors started to change the meaning of the tattoos, transforming them from a form of art to a sign of recognition with a negative value. The classic themes, such as cherry branches, ideograms, the chrysanthemum with dragons or lions, are traditional designs that were exported all over the world. 38 SO VAIN magazine sept 2012