Abstract
This paper examines the Japanese term irezumi which signifies tattoo. From ancient
times, irezumi has also been called horimono (something that has been carved) in
Japan. However, neither does irezumi imply to carve the body, nor can it be equated to
sculpture. It has often been referred to as ‘painting on skin’. However, irezumi is not the
art of drawing or painting on the skin. It is distinct from that.
The above examples are words which express irezumi, but none of them are, strictly
speaking, appropriate terminology. Irezumi involves the piercing of skin with a needle,
and a needle is used to sew cloth, not to ‘carve’ into or draw on something.
How, then, did irezumi come to be called horimono (sculpture)?
This study examines the ambiguity of the term irezumi by documenting it in
manuscripts dating from the beginning of the modern times to the Meiji period. This
study also explores the aspect of costume that the term appears to articulate.
