Inked Mag Staff
November 4th, 2020
50 Remarkable Bodysuit Tattoos
Would you get tattooed from head to toe?
Although micro tattoos are the new, hot trend, big tattoos are here to stay. For many tattoo collectors, they live by the philosophy, “The bigger, the better” and bodysuits are the best way to cover ground quickly.
Bodysuits first came into popularity through Japanese tattooing (also known as irezumi). Tattooing became an art form in Japan during the Edo period, with artists taking inspiration from woodblock printing. The designs often depicted heroic scenes, such as dragons, other mythical creatures and tigers. Toward the end of the Edo period tattooing became outlawed, as Japan wanted to protect it’s image to other foreign nations. Tattooing soon moved underground and became associated with the Yakuza, who became popularizing full body suits within their organizations. These bodysuits were crafted by hand (without a machine) and done in the traditional tebori technique. These tattoos often extended onto the person’s genitals, however, they left the hand, neck and face bare.
Today, bodysuits are worn by collectors around the world and created in a variety of styles—from Japanese to neo traditional to blackwork to geometric. Getting a full body suits takes plenty of commitment, however, any serious collector will tell you that it’s well worth the time, money and pain. Take a look at 50 of our favorite bodysuit (and bodysuit in progress) tattoos in the gallery below, then let us know your thoughts on this story in the comments section on social media.
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