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3
Sep
2010
Watch Out!
Japan is a giant big ball of contradictions. That statement in itself might seem entirely vague and a little presumptuous, but speaking as someone who lived there for 3 years, I stand by my belief that though beautiful and magical in so many ways, the world that the Japanese inhabit has more than its fair share of brain boggling contradictions. By this point I’m sure that most of you out there know that tattoo in Japan is fantastic but also quite taboo. Yes, things are slowly but surely changing, but the general opinion toward tattoos and tattooed people is more than a little archaic. Ditto for marijuana. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not trying to encourage anyone to smoke pot, but it seems that in Japan when something is taboo, there are often very extreme opinions of that specific thing. A Japanese friend once confessed to me that she believed that marijuana and heroin were one and the same thing. It may sound bizarre, but it’s not an uncommon belief in Japan at all. This extremity of opinion is also a part of the reality that affects those who are tattooed, as well as tattoo artists themselves. The most common belief in Japan of tattoos is that they are a direct link to organized crime, or the Japanese mafia, known as the Yakuza. This misunderstanding of the unknown sometimes gets a little crazy in Japan. An example of such craziness is a new idea by the Kobe municipal office in Kobe, Japan. This summer during a music event at a beach in Kobe’s Suma Ward, several college students were arrested for alleged marijuana possession. Taking this as their cue to “make a safer environment for the citizens”, the municipal office is now coming up with a law that will ban tattooed people from the beach. ‘‘It is our duty to make a safer environment for the citizens,’’ said a city official as senior officials of the city and Hyogo prefectural police are set to form a special team to work out details such as ways to restrict entrance to the beach. Suma beach saw the lowest number of visitors in 25 years this summer, with about 620,000 people in 46 days. Some citizens have told the city office that they ‘‘hesitate to go near the beach’’ amid an increase in young people with tattoos, the officials said.’ I haven’t seen something this stupid and ignorant for a long time. Banning people with tattoos from a beach because some kids were arrested for what may or may not be marijuana possession? Are you kidding me? First of all, this is Japan we’re talking about. These people who are complaining about hesitating to go near the beach because of people with tattoos? They’re living in a dream world. Japan has one of the lowest crime rates in the entire world. It’s not like these fear-filled residents are dealing with ghetto beaches, as if Kobe’s Suma Ward was worse or even comparable to South Central LA or something. Come on. Second, I fail to remotely see where there is any link between people with tattoos, marijuana and some sort of level of crime that apparently has still not occurred, but the threat of which is alive and well in the minds of local residents. It consistently blows my mind how a country that is so many light years ahead of the rest of the world in technology and industry, to name a couple of examples, remains so depressingly ancient with regards to attitudes towards tattoos and the reality of the people who have them. Get a clue, Japan. Tags: Dislike , Japan , Japanese , japanese opinion of tattoo , kobe , marijuana in japan , News , south central la , Stories , suma beach , suma beach banning tattoos , suma ward kobe , tattoo blog , Yakuza Related posts on Tattoo Blog: Yikes. Wine, Cheese…and Tattoos Who’s Tattooed? Who’s #1? When I Grow Up
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Watch Out!
1
Sep
2010
Rhymes With China
Temporary tattoos just aren’t interesting. No matter how good the artwork is, the fact will always remain that it’s temporary and that alone just leaves a lot to be desired. But uh…well, I just discovered a temporary tattoo that most likely will change the disinterested opinion that a lot of people have toward temporary tattoos. They’re called “Vatoos”, although some bloggers out there are pushing for that name to be changed to “Twattoos”. If you don’t know what the hell either one of those names is supposed to refer to, here you go: “Vatoos” or “Twattoos” (if you prefer) are temporary vaginal tattoos. Apparently this trend is growing and everything from basic small designs to glow in the dark surprises are being air brushed on to the nether regions of hordes of temporary tattoo hungry women. Hmmm…after watching this video from the Completely Bare spa in New York City, I’m of the opinion that the skill level involved in applying these things needs to improve a great deal. However, that’s probably nitpicking on my part as I can’t really see many guys (or girls) complaining when they make the discovery that their partner is sporting some airbrushed art (which may or may not glow in the dark) down under. At $115 (which includes the necessary bikini wax), I kind of wonder why you need to go to a spa like Completely Bare to have the process done. I mean, can’t you just head over to Toys R Us and pick up a package of temporary tattoos for six bucks or whatever? Well, whatever the case, I have to admit that the concept of vaginal tattoos is just too much fun to ignore. If the ladies are liking it, then I say have at it and have fun. Though I do admit that I prefer the name “Twattoo” over “Vatoo”. Tags: airbrushed tattoo , completely bare spa , new york city , News , Products , Stories , tattoo blog , temporary tattoo , toys r us , twattoo , vaginal tattoos , vatoo , Video Related posts on Tattoo Blog: Yikes. Wine, Cheese…and Tattoos Who’s Tattooed? Who’s #1? When I Grow Up
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Rhymes With China
27
Aug
2010
Too Young to Tattoo
Tattoos have been accused in some instances of being about personal vanity. I personally don’t agree with that sort of assessment. I mean, after all, this is an art form that is so diverse and ultimately so personal that it kind of transcends any attempt at pigeonholing it. No one ever knows for certain why a person gets the tattoo that they get without outright asking that person their reasons for doing so. There’s also a somewhat blurred line in some respects as to what exactly qualifies as a tattoo. Take permanent makeup, for example. Not a tattoo in the traditional sense, yet it still remains on the body for anywhere from 2-5 years before fading. Because the makeup does disappear after time and does not remain absolutely permanent like a tattoo puts it on a different level of classification. In England, anyone under the age of 18 can get permanent makeup put on and that is where a new controversy has started. Sophie Watson is a 14-year-old girl whose parents have recently allowed her to have her eyebrows, lips and eyes done with permanent makeup. Watson regularly takes place in beauty pageants and says that she likes having the permanent makeup done because now she doesn’t “need to bother with it every morning”. The issue has caused people to question what sort of values that this is imparting on a 14-year-old girl, but even beyond that it seems to me that 14 is far too young to be tattooed with anything. This is a particular scenario in which tattooing is about personal vanity. If a 14-year-old boy has to wait until he’s 18 (or in some places, older than 16) to have a tattoo done because there is a definite lack of maturity toward the commitment that a tattoo involves, then why should a 14-year-old girl be permitted to be tattooed with makeup, which in some ways is a far more mature commitment than a basic tattoo? If there isn’t a basic respect for tattoos from an early age – whether they be makeup or traditional – then what’s the point in having laws that dictate when a child can or can’t have a tattoo? For her part, Sophie Watson already has two very real and very illegal tattoos on her body. Does this disregard for the law and for the responsibility related to being tattooed have anything to do with the conflicting laws between permanent makeup and tattoos? Hard to say, but I think that they both should at least be on the same terms with regards to a legal age. Tags: Dislike , england tattoo , illegal tattoo , News , Permanent Makeup , Permanent Makeup , sophie watson , tattoo blog , Workforce Related posts on Tattoo Blog: Yikes. Wine, Cheese…and Tattoos Who’s Tattooed? Who’s #1? When I Grow Up
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Too Young to Tattoo
26
Aug
2010
Hey Hollywood, We’re Not All Bad
I try to cover a lot of different angles on the tattoo blog. If it’s about tattoo and it’s something that I haven’t really seen a lot of before, I tend to automatically gravitate towards it. One of the easiest and most plentiful topics out there in relation to tattoo is the whole Hollywood angle. You can barely run a quick search on the topic of tattoos on Google without page after page of gossip about Hollywood stars and their brand new tattoos. I guess I’ve never really focused a lot of energy on reporting on stuff like this because I’ve never really given a crap if Brad Pitt got a new tattoo or not. But today I found a brief blog post on the UK Guardian news site. On it the author listed the various movies which contain tattooed characters. When you really get down to it, over the years there have been a lot of characters in film with tattoos. At any rate, the article makes a good point as it talks about tattoos in film: “Most of us will know someone with a tattoo, even if they’re not willing to show it. Inking has definitely become a part of the mainstream, but in cinema it remains something of a novelty. A lot of film characters have become like politicians; make them as bland as possible so as not to offend anyone. Where are the tattooed romantic leads?” “Whatever the reason, you can generally pigeonhole film characters with tattoos into psychos, gangsters and Angelina Jolie. But at least one thing is certain: these characters always have interesting pasts …” I can’t help but agree with all of this – why are tattooed people only used as the trouble makers in film? Even if I try really hard to think of a film in which a tattooed character isn’t a criminal or psychopath, all I can really come up with is Adam Goldberg in the 2007 film 2 Days in Paris . Goldberg plays the American boyfriend of a French woman visiting her parents in Paris. The fact that I can only recall one film with a positive (more or less) role for a tattooed character is pretty lame – and I watch a lot of films. Well it might be a while before Hollywood decides to give us a good hearted tattooed character, so I guess that until they do, we’ll just have to enjoy watching the tattooed psychopaths and criminals cause trouble on screen. Tags: 2 days in paris , adam goldberg , angelina jolie , brad pitt , Celebrity , hollywood , tattoo blog , tattoos in film , the guardian uk , Video Related posts on Tattoo Blog: Yikes. Wine, Cheese…and Tattoos Who’s Tattooed? Who’s #1? Where Are They Now? Celeb Love Tats.
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Hey Hollywood, We’re Not All Bad
23
Aug
2010
Ageless
You’re never too old for a tattoo. It’s easy enough to say that and I’m sure a lot of us have said that at some point, without really giving it much more thought. Old can be a pretty relative term. I mean, 50 could be old to some people, just as 30 can be old to others. But what about 99? 100? 101? I’m pretty sure that no matter who you are or how old you are, you consider a century to be seriously senior citizen. At the age of 99, Mimi Rosenthal made the decision to get her first tattoo. A surprising decision for any 99-year-old, but even more surprising given that 17 years earlier, Mimi’s approval of her granddaughter’s brand new tattoo was less than favourable. At that point in her life, the concept of having a tattoo had apparently still not become acceptable to Mimi. Given some time however, Mimi Rosenthal’s opinion of tattoos began to change. Why the change of opinion? Rosenthal answers that with a simple “Why not?” Her first tattoo came at the age of 99. It was a small blue butterfly, about the size of a dime, on one of her ankles. Rosenthal liked the tattoo, but lamented that it was a little small. The second tattoo was done to celebrate her 100th birthday. This time it was on her other leg, and it was a flower about the size of a silver dollar. This was a decent size for Rosenthal, but having to lift her pant leg to show it off got to be a bit of a pain. I guess when you’re 100 years old and you have tattoos, people tend to want to see them often. Now 101-years-old, Mimi Rosenthal has just had her third tattoo done – a sunflower on her arm. This one was done this past weekend in Spring Hill, Florida. After getting the sunflower, Rosenthal joked that her next tattoo on her 102nd birthday will be done on her butt. It sounds like a joke, but then again, hearing that a 101-year-old woman likes to get tattooed isn’t always the easiest thing to take serious, either. But Mimi Rosenthal is serious all right. Not to mention very cool. Tags: 101 year old woman gets tattoo , Inspired , mimi rosenthal , News , senior citizen tattoo , spring hill florida , Stories , tattoo blog Related posts on Tattoo Blog: Yikes. Wine, Cheese…and Tattoos Who’s Tattooed? When I Grow Up VIOLENCE!
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Ageless
23
Aug
2010
Dad Goes to Prison for Tattooing Son
I wrote about this poor excuse for a father back in April. It was a case where the father and his tattoo artist friend tattooed the guy’s seven year old son. Just because the kid whined about wanting a tattoo. On top of that – they give him a gang tattoo – the same gang they belong to. This was wrong on many levels. Fortunately, the ex-wife eventually spied it on the kid’s hip and called the cops. The trial ended recently and the father and the artist were given a prison sentence. A dermatologist is removing that tattoo work. Although the sentence was heavy, the point being made is that the law is serious about battling street gangs and handing out heavier punishment for any crimes related to gangs. This Latino gang was responsible for killing an officer of the law four years ago and is a lot of bad blood between law enforcement and this particular gang. In addition, being brought up in the gang environment is ruining the lives of kids. The men that are supposed to be leading by example are leading them right into a life of danger, possible death and or jail time. You would think that being a parent would want you to help your offspring escape that lifestyle. Related posts: Father of the Year Gang Tattoos and Meaning Another Idiot Parent
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Dad Goes to Prison for Tattooing Son
21
Aug
2010
A Work of Art
They say that tattoo shops are seeing a new trend with their customers desiring to wear one of their favorite pieces of art forever on their skin. People are covering their skin with classic, vintage and book art. More elaborate stencil designs, premixed inks of hundreds of color variations to choose, more sophisticated machines, have all been reasons for classic works of art to transform so nicely to tattoo art. Another factor is the influx of tattoo artists who formerly studied art in college. Some fans of certain artist even prefer just to get THEIR portrait. The tattoo is there for you to enjoy forever. If you can’t afford a piece of artwork you are in love with, or if you are attracted to a certain piece of sculpture, you can get your kicks from getting the art tattooed instead! Parents are even getting their kids scrawls and stick art tattooed on their skin. My personal opinion is that’ll get old eventually and a cover up or laser removal may be called for…Hang those scribbles on the fridge where they belong! Related posts: Kat’s Tattoos Work Angel Art Dog Tattoo
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A Work of Art
5
Aug
2010
Henna? Montreal Says Hell No!
As I’ve already mentioned and shown many times before on the Tattoo Blog, resistance to tattooing and tattoos in general continues despite the current popularity of the art form. So what, right? We’ve all come to expect the discrimination, the stereotypes, the all around small-mindedness that comes along with so many people’s wacky disapproval of tattoos. As much as all that stuff irks us at some point, we move past it precisely because we understand that the tattoos we have are for ourselves and no one else and that their permanence on our bodies will be the only consolation we require. But what about art forms that aren’t permanent on the flesh but still display a beauty similar to that of tattoos? What happens when an art form like henna is being singled out as undesirable for no other apparent reason than the fact that it’s a skin art form – a distant cousin to the dreaded permanent tattoo? Well, if you think that’s something totally ridiculous that doesn’t or won’t happen, then I’ve got to tell you that you’re totally wrong. In Montreal, Quebec, Canada, the word on the street is that henna is not welcome in the city’s Old Montreal district. Why? Apparently henna tattoo doesn’t correspond to any sort of tradition in Quebec. ‘”This kind of activity doesn’t have a place in Old Montreal,” Michel Demers, head of the cultural division and public libraries for the Ville Marie borough, said yesterday. Henna tattooing “is not an activity that corresponds to a tradition here in Quebec,” Demers said.’ Hmmm…seems a little odd that after ten years of permitting henna artists to have a spot in Old Montreal, the art form is suddenly no longer considered acceptable. What’s even more surprising about this is that it’s occurring in Montreal – a city which is generally known for its respect and love of art and diversity. Perhaps there is a better reason to ban henna from the area than what they are telling us, but if there is, I can’t think of it. I understand the concern over black henna, a form of henna that can and has caused physical damage to people in the past. But no, this isn’t about black henna and I have to say, although I’m not particularly interested in the art form itself, I’m more than a little disappointed that others in Old Montreal won’t have the opportunity to make up their own minds regarding it. Tags: black henna , Canada , Dislike , Health Risks , henna artists , henna ban , Michel Demers , News , old montreal , Products , quebec , Stories , tattoo blog , Ville Marie montreal , Workforce Related posts on Tattoo Blog: Yikes. Wine, Cheese…and Tattoos Who’s Tattooed? When I Grow Up VIOLENCE!
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Henna? Montreal Says Hell No!
29
Jul
2010
Do They Stand a Chance?
The area I live in has a problem with meth addicts and alcohol related crimes. This story is a typical one for the week. Police were called to investigate a small boy wondering a local neighborhood in the middle of the night, in the rain. The boy was six years old and autistic and was unable to communicate with the police. People in the area were able to help the cops locate the correct apartment. The grandfather, who was intoxicated, answered the door but denied responsibility. They then found a woman walking down the street, who was also – intoxicated, who claimed to be his stepmother. Then, to contradict that statement, she proved she was the kid’s mom by showing them a tattoo of the kid’s name she had on her neck. She was eventually arrested for child abuse. So she felt displaying her tattoo proved she was a mom. How ‘bout taking care of your special needs kid! Shit. Does this poor kid have any type of chance of surviving with parents and grandparents like this? Hell, no. Poor kid will be lucky to survive his childhood. (This great tattoo work is by Jeff Gogue ) Related posts: Another Idiot Parent Toddler Gets Tattoo Amy, Amy, Amy
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Do They Stand a Chance?
25
Jul
2010
Dreamt Up Tattoos
You may not have known his name but you’ll know the face. Liev Schreiber has starred in many roles in television and movies. One of his most recent and more popular roles was as Sabertooth in X-Men Origins: Wolverine. His background is very unusual. Once his parents divorced when he was 5 years old, him and his mom moved to New York City. She drove cab to support them but they lived in abandoned buildings. She never let him see color movies. Only the old black and white flicks. Anyway, he wasn’t into tattoos until recently when he had a vivid dream about a specific tattoo design. He dreamt he was in his senior years and his children were grown. He was driving and got a flat. While changing the flat, his sleeve rolls up and there is a tattoo of his childrens names on his arm. His kids were there and saw it and were thrilled. When he woke he thought it would be a great idea to show his love for them. He has experienced vivid dreams before that have been forceful enough to motivate him to act in his real life. He took up scuba diving to mimic the repeated dream he had of being able to fly. He felt that was fairly close to the wonderful sensation he experienced while having the dream. Related posts: Practical Tattoos Safety Tats Ink Not Mink
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Dreamt Up Tattoos