著者

山越 英嗣

出版者

現代民俗学会

雑誌

現代民俗学研究 (ISSN:18839134)

巻号頁・発行日

no.4, pp.73-82, 2012

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Tattoo as a youth subculture has mainly been discussed by sociologists, but also by the areas of anthropology and folklore. The aim of this article is to make ethnography of young Japanese men who have got tattoos. In some recent studies, it has been theorized that young tattooed Japanese men is considered as consumption or an expression of self-satisfaction. In addition, to have a tattoo is normally thought of as a negative personal characteristic in the Japanese society. However, this article shows that the tattoos have various meanings linked to beliefs, memories, stories and affiliations; and they also build strong relationships among their carriers. We can say they are making their own 'world,' in which they share experiences and history through their tattoos. This fits into the framework of Anthony Giddens. This article argues that the carriers of tattoos overcome difficulties by using their camraderie.