タトゥー

• 読み: タトゥー
• ローマ字: tatū
• 発音: /ta.tɯː/

意味

Tattoo; still carrying social stigma in Japan due to historical yakuza associations, though attitudes are gradually shifting among younger generations.

タトゥー in Japan occupies a complex cultural space. Due to the strong association between traditional 刺青 (irezumi) and yakuza, tattoos of any kind still trigger automatic bans at most onsen (hot springs), public pools, gyms, and beaches. However, younger Japanese increasingly view small fashion tattoos (ワンポイント) as distinct from full-body yakuza ink. The word タトゥー itself is used specifically for modern Western-style tattoos, as opposed to 刺青 (irezumi) for traditional Japanese tattoos.

例文

1. タトゥー入れたいけど、温泉入れなくなるの困るんだよね。
2. 海外だとタトゥーは普通なのに日本だとまだ偏見あるよね。
3. ワンポイントのタトゥーならバレにくいから最近増えてるらしい。

使い方ガイド

場面: fashion, body modification, cultural discussion, travel

トーン: matter-of-fact, sometimes controversial

正しい言い方

• タトゥー入れてる人って就活のとき隠すの大変そう。 (People with tattoos must have a hard time hiding them during job hunting.)
• 小さいタトゥーなら気にならないけどな。 (I wouldn't mind a small tattoo.)

避ける言い方

• 初対面でタトゥーについて詮索するのはマナー違反 (Prying about someone's tattoos on first meeting is bad manners)

よくある間違い

• Not understanding the practical consequences — having visible tattoos in Japan means being turned away from onsen, pools, gyms, and some public facilities

起源と歴史

From English 'tattoo.' The loanword タトゥー is specifically used for modern Western-style tattoos, distinguishing them from traditional 刺青 (irezumi). Usage increased from the 2000s as tattoo culture gradually gained younger adherents despite ongoing social stigma.

文化的背景

時代: 2000s loanword adoption, gradual attitude shift

世代: Younger generations (20s-30s) most accepting

社会的背景: Countercultural, gradually mainstreaming

地域メモ: Used across Japan. Social stigma remains strong, especially in business and public bathing settings. Some tattoo-friendly onsen are now marketed to tourists.