Body suit (tattoo)

These examples of a full body suit in progress displays a horned snake on the chest that wraps around to the back continuing onto the right arm, two birds on the left arm, a foo dog on the right leg and a mouse and monkey on the left leg.

A body suit or full body suit is an extensive tattoo, usually of a similar pattern, style or theme that covers the entire torso or the entire body.^[1] They are associated with traditional Japanese tattooing as well as with some freak show and circus performers.^[2] Such suits are of significant cultural meaning in some traditional cultures, representing a rite of passage, marriage or a social designation.

History[]

The body suit first came into prominence in Japanese culture in the form of irezumi, a Japanese tattooing style.^[3] In Japan during the Edo period (1603–1867 CE), tattooing gained popularity and was considered to be a form of art.^[3] However, tattooing was made illegal near the end of the Edo period, in an effort by the Japanese government to protect its image abroad.^[3] At this time, tattooing was done clandestinely, and tattoos became associated with the Japanese Yakuza organized crime syndicates, who began to incorporate the full body suit as part of their organizations' identities.^[3] Such body suits were performed using tebori, a traditional Japanese style that involves tattooing by hand, sans the use of any machines.^[3] At this time, it was common for the hands, face and neck to not be tattooed, although Japanese body suits often included tattooing on genitalia.^[3]

It has also been stated that the body suit originated in Japan around 1700 CE, as a means for working middle-class people to display their wealth and status.^[4] Laws were in place that only allowed nobility to dress in fancy clothing, so some in the middle class chose tattoos as a means to adorn their bodies.^[4]