The Japanese Tattoo (horimono)

As the power of the people of Japan grew in the second half of the Edo period (18th and 19th centuries AD), or traditional Japanese tattoos horimono began to flourish as an art form. On the basis of images of paintings, engravings and illustrated books popular, it would be the final reward for the long duration of pain of a tattoo of immense beauty. To fully understand Japanese horimono is important to understand their history and context, and it is equally importantcontinue to preserve the tradition. © National Geographic