Japanese and tatoos

[amayost]

I know they don't look too kindly on real tatoos, but what about ones that are not real, for example henna tatoos?

[clay]

Are you trying to get us in trouble again? (see recent Tattoo threads)

[kyashi]

? henna?

[tanuki]

変なtattoos?

[chikara]

Ask your self this, is a henna tattoo any less visible than an ink tattoo in the same location?

[chikara]

tanuki wrote:
変なtattoos?

[clay]

I had never heard of it either, but after a quick google search it must mean 'temporary tattoo.' Why the henna, though? Strange

[richvh]

I think henna is the name of the dye used. (In other words, it's an English word.)

[chikara]

richvh wrote:
I think henna is the name of the dye used. (In other words, it's an English word.)

Correct, comes from the henna plant.

Henna tattoos are very common. At craft fairs and craft markets there are usually stalls set up were you can have a henna tattoo applied on the spot.

[clay]

変なの！

[randomperson]

henna is a safer tattoo for it only lasts a few hours. i think it comes from india too.

[chikara]

Henna tattoos originated in India but the henna plant is native to tropical and subtropical parts of Africa, southern Asia and northern Australia.

Henna tattoos are certainly safer and are non-permanent but to my knowledge the Japanese people's objection is to the sight of tattoos. They are not actually concerned about the health of the person sporting the tattoo.

[clay]

A friend of mine had a small tattoo and loved going to the onsen. He said he had no problems although he was a little apprehensive at first.

Still, it wouldn't be advisable to get a tattoo if you are thinking of living in Japan - especially if you are missing a finger or two.

[zengargoyle]

good henna lasts a lot longer than a few hours... more like weeks or longer.

read the other tatoo threads, but from what i gather it totally depends on where you go. some places won't care anymore, some will, some won't let you in because you're not Japanese. i get the feeling that like a lot of other things it's slowly changing as more younger Japanese people get tatoos as a fashion thing and not a yakuza thing. i can find plenty of pictures of Japanese artists/musicians/and the like with tribal bands and whatnot. i would hate to think that they wouldn't be allowed anywhere, and of course as they grow older and become owners of establishments i think tatoos will be more accepted.

[Sukebe Uchuujin]

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