I haven’t fully decided on my free inquiry topic yet but I am strongly leaning towards one. I currently am thinking of pursuing my topic on the history of tattoos and different tattoo techniques. I personally find tattoos fascinating and consider them to be a beautiful expression of art, so it is a topic that interests me and I think it is worth pursuing.
I am very excited to look into the different techniques and attitudes towards tattoos in different cultures. So far the only thing I’m unsure about is whether I should pursue this topic or another, but that is likely just me being indecisive. I am also excited for the excuse to get another tattoo as part of this inquiry because I have been wanting another one since I got my last one. That is something I could look into as well for this topic why people love getting multiple tattoos and why others do not, but I will have to see if that fits in properly with the topic.
My next steps are to start looking into resources that will help me find where the history of tattoos starts and go from there. I think I will explore its origins in different cultures as a starting point and then see where that takes me next week.
emma
January 27, 2022 — 12:36 am
Hello, Lucy.
That’s a lovely image–the colours of the ink on the hand tattoo are particularly striking, although the fingers covering up just enough of the design so that I cannot determine what it is bothers me rather.
It’s nice that you have a personal experience with tattoos that you can bring to the inquiry. I’ve noticed that some of our fellow cohort members have tattoos–some of them a substantial number. You should definitely interview them on the matter; comparing the various viewpoints might be insightful.
I’m not knowledgeable about tattoos, but I happened to read that they are effectively forbidden by the Laws of Leviticus (“do not mark your skin like the idolators” or something), and so in European Christendom, at least, tattoos were seen in an extremely negative light, considered far more repulsive than scars, because while a scar was inflicted by accident, or by another, a tattoo was a sinner disfiguring themselves with their sin.
By the high Middle Ages, however, the priests of Jerusalem began to tattoo a Coptic cross on the inside wrist of pilgrims. As this was proof that the worshipper had made perhaps the single greatest Christian pilgrimage, it could hardly be called sinful! That was the first crack in the Western distrust towards tattoos.
I don’t have a reference for this or anything, so you might want to seek independent confirmation. I saw a comment online about a poster who identified themselves as a Jew, however, and who claimed to enjoy fantasising about what kind of tattoo they might get… but never would, as they were Jewish, so tattoos *may* remain taboo among certain sects of Judaism.
I’ve lived a long time in Japan, and while you should seek authentic Japanese voices rather than just me should you wish to investigate the Japanese attitude towards tattoos, they were for a long time the marker of membership in violent criminal gangs, and as such many hotels, gyms, pools, public baths, and other such places where a tattoo might become exposed will still refuse service to anyone with a tattoo–they have signs openly stating that such patrons are not welcome.
That said, this was not always strictly enforced when the tattoo was clearly not a gang marker, as long as the patron kept it discreetly concealed.
A coworker of mine had a small tattoo below one collarbone; it would occasionally peak out above her top, but none of the patrons of the English conversation school were troubled by it, and she was able to use the local gym.
I was once served by a mall food vendor who had a bandage stuck to the base of her neck, out from under which peaked a bit of pastel colour, so it was clear she was only wearing it to cover a tattoo while on duty. She told me it was a butterfly.
Those violent gangs (the infamous “Yakuza,” although the Japanese don’t call them that anymore) are not as relevant as they once were, and the stigma against tattoos is slowly fading; influence from other cultures may be contributing to this. On my last night in Japan, I stayed at a hotel that had posted a sign saying that tattooed patrons were welcomed there.
kstockli
January 27, 2022 — 7:20 pm
Hi Lucy,
That sounds like a very interesting topic that I would love to hear more about. I remember you talking about a different one you were considering, both of which seem great so I’d say go with whichever one you are more passionate about.
I have often heard people with tattoos say they get sort of addicted to getting tattoos once they get their first one. Of course plenty of people are happy with just one tattoo, I am curious too why people often get lots of tattoos once they get into it.
Also, completed random but I personally wonder why some tattoos seem to fade to a sort of greenish colour when people have had them for many years. I don’t know if those tattoos started as black so it may just be my own assumption that they faded. Anyway sounds like you have a great start on your inquiry!
reyna
January 31, 2022 — 9:47 pm
Hi Lucy,
It sounds like a cool inquiry! I am very intrigued by the story behind tattoos and how they became popular around the world! As well as, how they have evolved and are socially accepted. Although, I used to work in a resort in Mexico, and my coworkers had to cover their tattoos, imagine wearing long sleeves in 30+ degree weather!
I have always wanted a tattoo, so maybe this is the sign to get one!😜