📜 Irezumi in the Edo Period: From Marginalization to Art During the Edo period (1603-1868), Japan witnessed the rise of Irezumi as an art form that transcended its origins linked to punishment. Initially, tattoos were used to mark criminals, serving as a social stigma. However, over time, Irezumi became associated with workers, firefighters (hikeshi), and artists who transformed their bodies into living canvases, adorned with dragons, koi fish, and flowers. In this period, Irezumi became a symbol of strength, courage, and cultural resistance during an era of strict regulation and social control. Tattoos represented a form of freedom and personal expression, inspired by ukiyo-e prints and Japanese legends. 👉 Did you know that some of the most famous tattoo artists of the time were also woodblock print artists? Art on the body and on paper went hand in hand! 🔖 Bibliographic References: • DeMello, M. (2000). Bodies of Inscription: A Cultural History of the Modern Tattoo Community. Duke University Press. • Richie, D. (1980). The Japanese Tattoo. Weatherhill. • Kitamura, H. (2014). Irezumi: Japanese Tattooing from the Edo Period to Today. Thames & Hudson. If you love the history of Japanese tattoos, comment which Irezumi symbol you would get tattooed! 🎨 #japanesetattoo #irezumi #tattoo #historyoftattoo #history #wabori