The Japanese government banned tattoos in 1872, as while the practice had risen as an art form, tattooed marks were still used as a punishment. The ban wasn't lifted until 1948, but the practice ...

These astonishing photographs give an unprecedented glimpse inside the world of the Yakuza, the Japanese organised crime syndicates, known for their brutality, tattoos and strict code of honour ...

The style of these tattoos was Japanese, and traditional tattooing methods were used to give them. Although it is forbidden for women to join yakuza organizations, the wives or girlfriends of men ...

Japan's history with tattoos has taken many turns since they were first popularized there in the 18th century. Since then, tattoos have moved from ubiquity among both the upper and lower classes in ...