How tattoos became a battleground of memory, gender, and resistance under Japanese colonization

Before it was renamed and absorbed into Japan, the Ryukyu Kingdom thrived as a maritime culture with deep spiritual roots and distinct traditions. Among its most profound was Hajichi (針突) — a tattooing practice carried by Ryukyuan women for centuries, literally written on the skin in lines of beauty, power, and ancestral protection.

Today, these marks have all but vanished from living bodies. But the story they tell — of erasure, resilience, and reclamation — is far from over.

Few artistic traditions are as deeply intertwined with history, rebellion, and devotion as irezumi, Japan’s tattooing practice. Though today’s large-scale bodysuits and intricate motifs are admired for their craftsmanship, irezumi has a long and complex history. One that spans criminal punishment, the floating world of courtesans, and the rise of outlaw heroes. In this piece, we explore the transformation of Japanese tattooing, from a symbol of infamy to a revered art form.

Tattoos in Singapore have come a long way. Once seen as the mark of gangsters and outlaws, tattoos were a secret language among underground brotherhoods—symbols of loyalty, power, and survival. Today, they have evolved into a respected art form, with tattoo studios across the city-state bringing unique styles to life.

But behind today’s vibrant tattoo culture lies a history that traces back to the hidden world of secret societies, criminal brotherhoods, and underground codes.