As I’ve thought more about my topic and done research on many different cultures and times, I realized a lot about how our opinions of tattoos have changed. I started out with the first known tattoo and read about how tattooing spread across the world and the many different purposes it has served in the past. It was really interesting to read about the methods and how they have changed over time.
For my paper, I decided to write about three main topics: the beginning of tattooing in ancient tribes and its purpose then, how the Japanese expanded tattooing to be an aesthetic art form, and how American society and the world as a whole has come to accept tattooing as an art.
It was really cool to read about the superstitions, rankings and different tribes of the Polynesian people. I learned that nearly all Polynesians were tattooed at the time. I also learned that tattooing wasn’t done to look physically attractive, but rather it had various purposes. The main purposes of tattooing at the time were to represent emotionally significant events/coming of age, identify themselves with specific tribes, and assert their rank or status within their tribes. Polynesia is still well known for some of their designs, which spread when Captain James Cook captures some of these Polynesian people to show off as a “souvenir” to people in Europe.
While doing reading of books and articles, I also found out that the Japanese had a huge influence on tattoos as well. Tattooing continued to happen here when it had been outlawed other places, and it had many uses in their culture as well. The Japanese first used tattooing to identify prisoners, but it quickly turned into a practice of the royalty of ancient Japan, and soon the middle class of the time began creating tattoos all over their body as well. This is the first we know of people making tattoos for art rather than serving a specific purpose.
I was also interested in learning about how our opinions of tattoos have changed over many years. In America in the 1800s and early 1900s, tattooing was only done on people considered “outcasts” and was frowned upon, often considered rebellion. Only sailors, circus performers, prisoners, soldiers, bikers and gang members had tattoos. Over time, though, as we learned that tattoos were safe due to advanced equipment and sterile procedures, we didn’t disapprove of them so much. In America, we have come to embrace individuality and self expression in many areas, and we have come to include tattooing as a subcategory of self expression and liberation rather than rebellion.
This is such a cool topic for a research paper. I know how much you like tattoos, so it seems like this was a topic that really interested you. I think it's fascinating that different cultures throughout the world all used tattooing- even though the reasons for it varied. It's crazy that tattooing has been around since before modern technology! Do you know what the ink was made of when tattoos first originated, and how long the tattoos lasted for? It's crazy how the stigma around tattoos has changed so much in such little time.
ReplyDeleteI never would have guessed that the Japanese played such a large role in the history of tattooing. I had always just heard about the connection to tribes. It's so interesting how many different interpretations and representations tattoos can stand for. The most thought-provoking aspect of this for me is the shift from tattooing for a specific purpose to tattooing as an art form, to be appreciated. Were there any specific figures or events that helped contribute to this shift? it's clear that you're passionate about this topic and I look forward to reading future posts.
ReplyDeleteI know I've said it before but I love your topic. I like how you have three different topics you are going to focus your paper on. That is crazy how the Japanese started using tattoos for prisoners and then they were used for art! I like how you are looking at the origins of tattoos and stereotypes surrounding them in different cultures. Was there a specific person or event that changed the stigma on tattoos to go from outcasts to art? I love your topic and hope you will let me read the finished product!
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