Asia
JapanTattoos in Japan, derived from the criminal sector of society, the Yakuza. This was due to the use of tattooing of criminals, in 17th century Japan. Tattoos were reserved for only the worst criminals and were a very heavy form of punishment. The shape of the tattoo represented the crime committed. However the criminals began to utilize colorful full bodied tattoos to hide their market crimes, and the popularity of this trend spread throughout Japan. As depicted above, the full body tattoo became a common practice in Japan. The 19th century skilled Japanese tattoo artists attracted clients such as King George V and Czar Nicholas III.
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ChinaThe Li Minority of China traditionally utilized tattoos on females to show the transition from childhood to womanhood. When females of the Basadung Tribe began puberty around the age of 13 or 14, it was custom for an elderly woman to begin the tattooing process. Li females were not permitted to tattoo their hands unless they were married. Tattoos on Li females were often designed all over the body spreading from the head and all over the back until the legs. The Li Woman depicted has basic geometric tattoos spread across her face and back, a common practice for Li females. The domination of the Han in beginning in the 15th century greatly diminished the Li tradition of tattoo's by condemning tattoos as barbaric.
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PhillipinesThe Kalinga Tribe of the Philippines practiced the art of tattooing as a protective measure. Kalingas believed the tattoos were, "earthly messengers from the gods [that] protect you from enemies or bad spirits". Kalingas often used the tapping style and depicted complex pictures of nature and their environmental surroundings. The Kalinga tribal tattoo artist pictures shows the intricate and and patterned designs of the Kalinga Tribe which often took weeks to complete and the individuals who undertook this tradition suffered tremendous pain.
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