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Tattoo History

The history of tattoos can be traced back to both primal and sophiscated historic culture as far back as before the birth of christ. For majority of these cultures, tattoos signified importance or power and were generally reserved for religious figures in their community. Even the early christian used tattoos as symbols of recognition until 787 AD when the church edict forbid them. The word tattoo itself comes from the sound the tattooing instrument makes on the skin of those being tattooed and derives from the Polynesian word 'ta' which means to strike something Modern Tattooing has evolved from the early days of Chatham Square in New York City. In 1908, Charlie Wagner opened a supply business with Lew Alberts and began redesigning early tattoo flash art. Tattoos became a popular comestic surgery at this time, adding blush, coloured lips and eyeliner. The tattooing culture hit an all time low in 1961 when an outbreak of hepatitis sent the industry into a downward spiral. The media began reporting stories of hepatitis and other diseases, based on most tattoo shops having the equipment to sterilize their tools, but very few shops using them. Today tattoos are as popular and safe as they ever have been. There are new tattoo shops opening regularly to meet with the demand. A friendly and knowledgeable studio will always answer any questions or concerns you may have, so never be afraid to ask.

Asian Tattoo History

The Yayoi Period (300B.C.-A.D.300)

The evidence given to support that tattoo existed during this period is mostly seen in ancient Chinese text. McCallum speaks about three crucial references: (Wei Chih) History of Wei, part of the (San Kuo Chih) History of the Three Kingdoms, and (Hou Han Shu) History of the Later Han. In the first text we see references to what may be tattoo (referring to Japan): "Men, young and old, all tattoo their faces and decorate their bodies with designs....A son of the ruler of Shao-k'ang of Hsia, when he was offered as lord of K' uai-chi, cut his hair and decorated his body with designs in order to avoid the attack of serpents and dragons. The Wa (Japanese), who are fond of diving into water to get fish and shells, also decorated their bodies in order to keep away large fish and waterfowl. Later, however, the designs became merely ornamental. Designs on the body differ in the various countries.... their position and size vary according to the rank of the individual" (Goodrich 1951:10). The references of tattoo markings on these individual faces are the first indication of the male tattoo. The passages have also verified that tattoo was present during this particular time frame in Japanese history. We still are uncertain, how this art form was adopted, nor do we know from what culture the Asian tattoo developed.

Jomon Period (ca. 10,000 B.C.-300B.C.)

Intensive archaeological study has uncovered several dogu (figurines) made during this period. These figurines bare several markings around the mouths of the beings. These markings and other unusual facial markings are believed to be tattoo. "Interpretation of the dogu figurines has been the subject of much discussion, with suggestions ranging from toys or dolls to representations of spacemen! However, there is now a general consensus that they must depict deities associated with fertility, since practically all of the extant examples exhibit female traits such as sexual organs, breast, or indications of pregnancy" (McCallum, 1988:111). Whether toys or religious artifacts it is important to determine if the markings on the dogu were in fact, tattoo. "The most detailed investigation of Jomon period tattooing- Takayama Jun's Jomon-Jin no Irezumi (1969) ("Tattoos of the Jomon People")- compared the facial markings of the dogu with those of cultures in Taiwan, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific islands and concluded that these markings are, in fact, representations of tattoo" (McCallum, 1988:111). This proves that tattoo existed in the Pacific Rim at this time.

The Kofun Period (A.D. 300-600)

During this period tattoo transformed and documented meanings emerged. Though the tattoo had been in the previous history of Japan the meanings associated with tattoo had not been found in the historical documentation. Here we begin to see written works depicting what the meanings and practices of tattoo during this period. The references are taken by the literature written during the eighteenth century referring back to the Kofun period. Five passages, two from Kojiki, and three from Nihon Shoki are important references about tattooing McCallum argues. The Kojiki "refers to a tattoo on a man of very high status- 'strange,' but again not criminal. On the other hand, the three later accounts are clearly associated with crime. The first of these (Nihon Shoki) refers to a case of treason, with the usual death penalty being commuted to the lesser penalty of tattooing. The second (Kojiki) is decidedly more tawdry, referring to a common thief who bears a tattoo and who is subsequently executed for his crimes. The third (Nihon Shoki), dealing with the death of a bird, again relates to tattooing as a punishment. McCallum later explains: "it is quite likely that Chinese ideas about the tattoo as a punishment had become institutionalized among the elite.."

The Edo Period (1600-1868)

"In Japan the tattoo was considered to be an entirely inappropriate practice for members of "decent" society (McCallum;1988:121). This is the basic idea through out the Edo period. McCallum pointed out that tattoo was part of the "periphery of society, by those of rowdy behavior and so on." The tattoo of today's Japan is derived from this period.. However, tattoo is still preferred by the periphery society and not practiced by most Japanese people. There are many text referring to tattoo and Japan, and they have brought the idea that many Japanese take part in this art form, however the truth is just the opposite.

The Modern Period (1868-present)

Although many of the ideas about tattoo haven't changed in Japan, the art form still persists. Many Japanese relate this art to the Japanese mob, criminals, and lower society.

Egyptian Tattoo History

Written records, physical remains, and works of art relevant to Egyptian tattoo have virtually been ignored by earlier Egyptologists influenced by prevailing social attitudes toward the medium. Today however, we know that there have been bodies recovered dating to as early XI Dynasty exhibiting the art form of tattoo. One of the more famous and written about mummies is that of Amunet, a priestess of the- goddess Hathor, at Thebes. This female mummy displayed several lines and dots tattooed about her body.

A second mummy also found depicted this same type of line pattern (the dancer). This mummy also had a cicatrix pattern over her lower pubic region. In the figure to the right you can see the various patterns as they are displayed on the body. The various design patterns also appeared on several figurines that date to the Middle Kingdom, these figurines have been labeled the "Brides of Death." The figurines are also associates with the goddess Hathor.

Another mummy found datable to about 2000 B.C. also displayed tattoos on her body resembling that of Amunet and the dancer. Robert Biachi states in his Tattoo in Ancient Egypt that: "Such tattoos created by grouping dots and/or dashes into abstract geometric patterns demonstrate the long duration of tattoo in ancient Nubia, as recent excavations at the Nubian site of Aksha demonstrate. Excavators at Aksha uncovered a number of mummies of both adolescent and adult women with blue (or black-blue) tattoos in precisely the same configurations as those found on the three Egyptian mummies from the Middle Kingdom.

These dot-and-dash patterns have been seen for many years throughout Egypt. Believed that this pattern and skill of tattoo was borrowed from the Nubians, the art of tattoo developed during the Middle Kingdom and flourished beyond. The evidence to date suggests that this art form was restricted to women only, and usually these women were associated with ritualistic practice. These mummies give us site into how long this art form has been practiced and how their art was displayed. From continent to continent this art form has developed and transformed. Through the Egyptian eyes to other cultures tattoo is something that satisfies various needs and interest.