English Teachers Warned Against Getting Tattoos in Japan
The Japan Times recently had an editorial advising against getting tattoos and working in the english teaching industry Japan:
Reader PP is arriving in Japan soon to begin a stint as an assistant language teacher (ALT). He writes: “I am very interested in getting an irezumi (traditional tattoo) in Japan. Are there any artists that will tattoo a foreigner? If so, who and where? My interviewer for the teaching position tried to warn me that tattoos are a ‘no-no’. ”
Japan Times
He goes on to describe a story he heard about another ALT: The man had taken off his shirt to water some plants on his balcony, when a student’s parent happened to walk by and saw his tattoo-riddled back. The parent apparently called the school, claiming that they had hired a member of the yakuza — the Japanese mafia, who traditionally have tattoos. The ALT had to change jobs and cities as a result.
You can read the rest at the link, but this article got thinking what experiences English teachers in Korea have had with having tattoos?
Having had to undergo numerous CT Scans, MRIs, and other Xrays, I am thankful that I never developed the need to pierce or ink my skin.
They say that everyone who lives long enough will develop a cancer. If and when that happens, a tattoo may make it more difficult to be treated.
Please take that into consideration. Especially if you want to get that Ray Bradbury Illustrated Man look.
When I was in Japan, we went to a spa with a swimming pool. They made me put a big bandage over my one bit of ink. Of course, it eventually wore off as I puttered around the pool with my kids.
The oncologist didn’t say anything about my ink, nor did the PET scan or CAT scan technicians. I don’t have any piercings, so that wasn’t an issue.
Tattoos are slowly gaining popularity here in Korea. I have a few Korean friends with ink, and there was a tattoo place in one of the underground malls near Uijeongbu Station back in 2009.
You think Otzi’s mom was there saying, ‘Otzi, don’t get those tattoos, you’ll wind up murdered on a mountain some day…’ http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/d-brief/2015/01/30/scientists-mapped-otzi-icemans-61-tattoos/#.XFi2flwzZNA
MTB, I’m glad you’re okay. I’m just reporting based on my experiences 2016-2019 at MD Anderson in Houston, TX.
Also, though it’s not for me, I don’t hate folks who do indulge. If we were all the same, the lines at House of Pies would be a lot longer…
Wow, the chick in the pic is sooo hot, she should be on canvas at the Louvre.