Hajichi in Okinawa

Kiyora Kawamitsu, OCU

Today, many young people in Japan wear tattoos as a kind of fashion statement. However, some Japanese people still don’t have a good impression of tattoos. Until about 150 years ago, Okinawa had a tattoo culture that was called “Hajichi.” Women used bamboo and ink to tattoo themselves. It was the fashion and also a sign that a woman was engaged to be married. Women also used tattoos to protect themselves from the men of Satsuma, who did not go near women with tattoos. After the Ryukyu Kingdom was annexed by Japan, the practice of Hajichi tattooing was banned by the Japanese government, so that part of the local culture died out.

Source: http://minagahet.blogspot.jp/

Until about 150 years ago, Hajichi tattooing was part of the Okinawan culture. Most people in Okinawa, it seems, don’t know that now, and they may be surprised to hear that tattooing was once very popular in Okinawa. Hajichi in English means “nudging with a needle.” Women used to use shaped bamboo as a needle and ink when they got a tattoo on their arms and back of hands. There was no antiseptic available, so they used Awamori in place of isopropyl alcohol. And, there were experts in tattooing Hajichi who were called Hajicha-. They knew all of the meanings in the various marks and the trendy styles of Hajichi.

Hajichi tattoos were mainly meant for women. There were three reasons why women sought the Hajichi. The first one was fashion. The cost to get Hajichi was so expensive. Therefore, young women worked hard to save money for get the tattoos. And the second one is a symbol that they got married and were coming of age. And the last one is to protect themselves. Okinawa was invaded by Satsuma in 1609. The people of Satsuma trafficked Okinawan women. Therefore, Okinawan women received tattoos in order to protect themselves from the people of Satsuma who didn’t like tattoos.

Source: www.pininterest.com

Hajichi tattooing was banned by the Japanese government in 1899. The Japanese government thought Hajichi was barbaric and made a bottleneck to integrate Okinawa into Japan. However, some local people refused to obey the ban of Hajichi. They got tattoos without Japanese government seeing. And now, there are few old women still alive who have Hajichi on their arms and the backs of their hands. This means Okinawan Hajichi culture is going to disappear in our lifetime.

A new kind of tattooing is now becoming fashionable among the young people and some Japanese people who like traditional fashion still don’t have a good impression of it. Meanwhile, in Okinawa, Hajichi is one of the Okinawan traditions and there are still a few old women alive who have Hajichi. As this unique Okinawan tradition fades away, some people are still trying to preserve the Okinawan tattoo culture.