[grinaJanoDant]

But seriously, I'm the kind of person that does care about what kendo sempai and sensei think, should I reconsider? I don't really want it that bad.

If you don't want it that bad, why are you considering it at all? This is a permanent mark on your body, I don't understand why people are so casual about it.

[Kt-viagra]

If you don't want it that bad, why are you considering it at all? This is a permanent mark on your body, I don't understand why people are so casual about it.

Well I want to have a tattoo, I've been drawing potential tattoos since I was 16. But I'm not gonna die if I don't get it. So I made a design and if I like it for longer than 3 years I know I won't regret it in the long run, plus it's my own art so it's not some stupid stuff downloaded from the internet.

For me getting a tattoo is more about having my own art on me. I don't want to get a tatoo just so I have a tatoo.

However, if it's really considered "not done" in serious kendo circles then I won't do it. Kendo is more important to me. Maybe I should take up graffiti instead.

[GinaIsWild]

If you don't want it that bad, why are you considering it at all? This is a permanent mark on your body, I don't understand why people are so casual about it.

Absolutely. People are ready to ink the phrase of the day on themselves these days. Yes they can be removed but its expensive, suppsoed to hurt as much as getting the tattoo, and still does not go completely away.

For me getting a tattoo is more about having my own art on me. I don't want to get a tatoo just so I have a tattoo.

Your own Art, in my opinion thats a damn good reason. I have several pieces that i am proud of. Some of the art is mine and some is that of a real artist. Some people look at this as an investment in purchasing art. Its just art. you can carry around with you.

Heres another point of view. I have a dojo mate that is a tattoo artist and is covered from head to toe. He attended a Iaido seminar that was lead by a couple of very high ranking sensei. Remarks were made about his tattoos. I think they affectionately named him "Scary Samurai" Another of our dojo mates told him this was a good thing. They don really think he is scary, But they remember him. And they will continue to remember him from now on. He is identified and the know who he is. Having these guys remember you is awfully cool. His Iai is good so they dont remember the guy that sucked, I know someone will come up with that. They remember him as the tattooed guy who has an interest in what they have to teach. I hope they remember me as well. when the time comes.

[SobiquYo]

well one of my trainers (she is also a female) has a few tattoos on her body and as far as i know none of the japanese senseis i have met before made any complaints about it and i have thought of another place for a tatoo: my left bladbone i still didnt get a good image but i was thinking about an bear next to the calligraphy. but i feel like missing something on that layout... ganna work on it tomorrow angain

greez
Pau

[Fksxneng]

I have no business whatsoever advising anyone whether or not they should get a tattoo, frankly as far as I know neither does anyone else on here...

Having said that, I once had a discussion with one of my Japanese sensei about tattoos. In fact, it was within the first few hours of meeting me he challenged me with "do you have any tattoos?!", I said "no" and his response was "good! In Kendo you have to have a clean body AND spirit, I have never seen a 8th dan sensei with tattoos". He is a police man and he did tell me that he thinks "Tattoos are for criminals" but that was just his opinion. It would be foolish to assume ALL Japanese people hold the same opinion, especially these days as I believe tattoos are becoming more popular amongst Japanese youngsters...

As for Yakuza, I could be as tattooed as I like, but as I am a big hairy ginger gaikokujin the chances of me being mistaken for Yakuza are probably pretty slim, certainly less than being mistaken for an anime geek... though having said that I don't know anything about the Yakuza (thankfully) so I wouldn't really know.

Personally if it were me, I wouldn't bother with the tattoo, because I agree with the words of my sensei. I can see you point about wanting your art displayed 'on you' but I'd get it put onto a cool T-shirt or something...but again that's just me...

[Nidsstese]

The kotowaza is
気剣体一致

気 KI spirit
剣 KEN sword
体 TAI body
一致 ICHI coincide (together)

[Elaltergephah]

I think it kinda depends what your goals are with kendo.

If you are ever planning to come to Japan and do kendo then I wouldn't recommend it. And if you are wanting to practice at fairly exclusive places for some reason, it might get you excluded.

Japanese opinions of tattoos are slowly changing as a whole. Foreigners with tattoos get away with it easier because we are gaijin and we are looked at a bit differently. I have seen Japanese people with tattoos, but they are younger and are in a certain circle usually where its accepted and even encouraged at times. I've never seen a person doing kendo here with tattoos. I don't think the stigma towards them with regards to kendo is going to go away any time soon.

Also, Japanese people can't say anything about someone with tattoos when they visit foreign countries. Its not their country or culture.

I wouldn't mind some myself, but the idea of informing my sensei that I have them scares me to death. Also, I want the doors that I have in this country to stay open. Having them closed over a tattoo is just a dumb reason to me; regardless of my feelings of pro/con towards them.

Also, no one will ever think your Yakuza. Not sure why people talk about Yakuza so much anyways...

[HedoShoodovex]

Discussed to death.
http://www.kendo-world.com/forum/sho...t=tatoos+ajapn

Quit looking for approval. Do what you want.

[acissombiapse]

I don't want to make a bad impression as the "crazy gaikokujin girl with the yakuza painting on her back" (especially since the tatoo would be of someone who is known for killing yakuza )

But seriously, I'm the kind of person that does care about what kendo sempai and sensei think, should I reconsider? I don't really want it that bad. Perhaps I'm missing something, but why would a sensei or sempai see your bare back? Sure, if it was a neck piece or something like that, but it's not something I could see honestly coming up that much

[suilusargaino]

I have been living and practicing in japan for about 8 years and I have a tattoo.
I have never had a sensei, either it be a keishicho 8 dan sensei or just an old geezer from around the block say anything about it.
Maybe it could happen if you start asking people.
Do what you want and just dont bother what other people think.

cheers
/martin

[AlexanderDrew]

Perhaps I'm missing something, but why would a sensei or sempai see your bare back? Sure, if it was a neck piece or something like that, but it's not something I could see honestly coming up that much

It's more about the magical after-practice onsen-parties I keep hearing about So if only 1 girl would see it when we change or bathe, I'd be doomed.

Anyhoo, I think I changed my mind after reading that other topic and getting some more info. It makes me kind of sad that in Kendo some things are so narrow-minded. However, on the other hand, Kendo is about being uniform on the outside and shine through your kendo instead.

I'm also never gonna wear anything other than blue and the standard do design. I want to stand out with good Kendo and nothing else. So in a way I can find peace with that, but it's still kind of sad in a way, cause the wanna-be "samurai-chick" in me is dissapointed now. LOL!

I want to be able to practice in any Japanese dojo without reservations and that's more important to me than body art.

[Feflyinvelf]

One of the neebies at my dojo work at a tattoo studio - and I can say with her in the locker room, any atempt to get a tattoo of one's own would seem lame...