Martial artists and tattoos

[mazzybear]

I personally don't find tattoos intimidating, if a tattoo is done well it is, in my opinion, art. But I mean one off, well thought out designs, not the flash you can pick off the studio walls (which I have a couple of from my over eagerness to get inked as a teenager )

I don't see them as a demonstration of enduring pain. Although my rib piece was hour upon hour of searing pain and by the end of a particular session, I had actually went into shock. But to me the finished article was worth it.

Are they becoming a fad? I don't think so. They are certainly more popular and more socially acceptable than ever before.

I have 9:

1 on my right wrist

1 on my left inside thigh

1 on each hip

1 on my right buttock (one of the teenage ones mentioned above!)

1 on my right side

1 on my entire upper left side

2 on my back

Why do I have them? As mentioned, it's self expression and a personal choice.

None are martial arts related but, now I've passed my shodan, I plan on incorporating a small Wado Kai symbol and the date I passed into my Japanese piece on my left side.

Mo.

[tallgeese]

I personally don't find them intimidating or painful enough to be an expression of endurance. Mileage may vary I suppose.

For me, mine (2) are an expression of important aspect of my life and I got them at important milestones.