Japanese tattoos are a special art form in Japan,...

KAMAKURA, KANAGAWA-KEN, JAPAN - 2009/06/14: Japanese tattoos are a special art form in Japan, unfortunately they also carry the stigma of being associated with the yakuza or Japanese gangsters. As often as not, however, it is mere posturing, to act tough and make people believe you are associated with the yakuza to leave you alone. Most of the time these tattoos are hidden under clothing except at matsuri or festivals where people go half naked. Almost every locale has at least one matsuri in late summer or autumn, usually related to the harvests. Matsuri almost always feature processions which include elaborate floats and "mikoshi" or portable shrines which are paraded around the neighborhood, and sometimes even into the ocean along the coasts.. (Photo by John S Lander/LightRocket via Getty Images)