The Yakuza tattoo refers to the art form, the mafia members wear on their body parts in Japan. It is a tradition with the gang members that has a long history and rich heritage. The intriguing tattoo culture has also drawn much attention from people across the world as it is secretive in nature and the process is also different from what modern-day tattoo artists employ in their work. The tattoo culture, as we all know, has criminal association in many parts of the world and it is also considered to have negative connotation because in the olden times tattoos were used as a means to isolate gangsters from mainstream society and punish them.
The yakuza tattoo is mostly found on the full body of the gang members and they rarely flaunt them, keeping the body parts covered. The reason behind the men getting such tattoos is a desire to show determination, strength and will power which are required in ample amount during the tattooing process. Among the designs, that yakuza tattoos display, popular Japanese cultural symbols like the koi fish, dragon, cherry blossom flowers, etc. are used very often. If you want to know more about them, then take a look at this post that has 35 yakuza tattoo designs. You are sure to enjoy them.
If you liked our selection, perhaps these other posts will interest you too, Gangster Tattoos, Yin Yang Tattoos, Chinese Tattoo Symbols and Chinese Writing Tattoos.
Portrait Tattoo
Yakuza with back tattoo that shows a furious looking, bearded emperor with a dragon design on his back.
Story Inspired Tattoo
This picturesque back tattoo depicts a scene from 108 Heroes of the Suikoden that seeks deep attention from the onlookers.
Yakuza Gang
Posing inside the prison walls, the yakuza men having different types of tattoos on their body make for an intriguing portrait.
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Beautiful Body Art
Indeed, the yakuza tattoo may have a criminal association but it also presents an aesthetic side that cannot be left unnoticed.
Yakuza Spirit
The yakuza people before the police station posing in a cool, half-naked style that gives a nice view of their tattoos.
Tattooed Girl
The girl shows off her full body tattoo that resembles the yakuza style tattoo with colorful designs and a geisha portrait.
Full Back Tattoo
The yakuza member shows off his back tattoo that has the aggressive portrait of a warrior holding a rope and sword in his hands.
Fabulous Fish Tattoo
Back covered with a large koi fish tattoo that stands for endurance and survival; an essential quality of a yakuza.
Torso Tattoo
The girl has her whole front inked with colorful pattern that gives her the traditional Japanese mafia look.
Yakuza Tattoo Display
Get a cool view of the full body yakuza tattoo as the three men bare their back to show off the fascinating body art.
Yakuza Girl
Creepy tattoo design that has a skull along with flowers and some other imageries to create a full frontal tattoo.
Belly Tattoo
The flat abs of the girl look damn sexy when adorned with the yakuza style tattoo art that is appealing in a colorful way.
Odd One Out
One can easily recognize the yakuza member from his signature style tattoo covering more than half of his body.
Dark Yakuza Tattoo
The girl has got the front portion of her body, including sleeves, painted in yakuza style with black ink that looks scary as well as stunning.
Old Tattooed Yakuza Member
Wearing glasses and sporting a bald head, this yakuza member walks off in style that gives a nice view of his full body tattoo.
Full Sleeve Tattoo
The girl, giving a thoughtful pose, looks cool with her both arms tattooed in yakuza style.
Yakuza Tattoo Captured
The yakuza man didn’t know that the camera was waiting behind to take a cool snap of his tattooed back.
Japanese Dragon Tattoo
The symbol of power and strength is just apt for the Yakuza and this girl also seems to have drawn inspiration from them.
Cheerful Yakuza Man
Yakuza man with full body tattoo that looks like a suit, covering his torso with a fine floral design.
Japanese Culture Tattoo
This yakuza wears his culture on his body which is evident from this tattoo carved on one side of the body.
Koi Fish Tattoo
This amazing Japanese fish who is known for its toughness and adaptability skills rings a bell with the rough and tough yakuza men.
Yakuza With Chopstick
This tattooed yakuza is a good cook and foodie as well, which is evident from his smile at having held the food with chopstick.
Full Body Yakuza Tattoo
Yakuza man at the traditional Japanese festival, Masturi, where one can find a generous display of tattoos from the gangsters.
Yakuza Back Piece
This colorful back tattoo represents the popular elements of Japanese culture through a design that consists of a dragon, warrior and cherry blossom flowers strewn around.
Yakuza Men
Get a close look at the yakuza men with body tattoos that look like colorful, designer shirts.
Dragon & Skull Tattoo
Colorful and bright shoulder tattoo with a dragon and skull that symbolizes the risk and strength it requires to be a yakuza.
Serious Yakuza Man
A close up look at a yakuza member, having tattoos covering both the sleeves, with dragon and flower designs.
Yakuza Back Tattoo
The tattoo of yakuza men is a sign of endurance because the tattooing process is painful and long.
Yakuza Half Sleeve Tattoo
The red Japanese cherry blossom flowers symbolize the risk and short life span associated with the life of yakuza.
Razing Dragon Tattoo
The dragon is a popular Japanese cultural symbol and finds a seat of pride in the yakuza tattoo designs.
Goddess Tattoo
This Japanese gangster has got a tattoo on his back that resembles the image of a goddess and oozes a divine aura.
Geisha Tattoo
Geisha also features in a prominent manner in the tattoo designs created on the body of yakuza men and this image is a proof of the same.
Yakuza Tattoo Side View
A profile portrait of a yakuza man having the image of a goddess and koi fish on his body that holds deep meaning for him.
Colorful Back Tattoo
Koi fish and cherry blossom flowers together create a meaningful and vibrant tattoo piece on the back of this yakuza man.
Dragon Back Piece
Badass back tattoo that displays a seething dragon holding the globe that is a symbol of power and a desire to control everything.
