BJJ Tattoos

[Saenchai]

Btw Ned, with that irezumi are you now basically barred from onsen/public baths? I'm just assuming that I can't set foot in them anymore, which is sad because I love them.

you must be a gangster. :icon_lol:

pic of your tat?

 

[Knock Out Ned]

Btw Ned, with that irezumi are you now basically barred from onsen/public baths? I'm just assuming that I can't set foot in them anymore, which is sad because I love them.

Here in Korea, there are large signs at some bathhouses that say, "By law those with tattoos are not allowed in the bath", but in the five years I've been here, I've never seen it enforced. I've seen Koreans (obvious gangsters and non gangsters) and foreigners here with tattoos and no one ever kicks them out. At most, you'll get quite a few stares. I've been going to this one across the street from my house for years with no problems:

Public pools can be a bit different. I've never had any problems, but a Korean guy I know was asked to wear a rashguard when he swims, because some people were complaining about his tattoos.

Japan is strict, and most places (especially in cities) will not let you enter a bathhouse with a tattoo. A couple of years ago when I was traveling around the country, I had tattoos that could be covered with a single rash guard sleeve. It looked pretty discreet, and I had no problems. I think everyone assumed my arm was hurt. Now, it would be impossible for me to enter many of them.

If you ever go to Japan and want to experience the bathhouse culture, I recommend going to the mountain towns (I suggest Takayama). There are many free open air Onsen in the mountains, and there are no restrictions on who can bathe.

EDIT: Zankou, haven't you mentioned before that you lived in Japan or have visited a few times? I guess you already know about Japan then.

 

[soda_popinski]

This is my tattoo. I got it when I was drunk.

 

[GuardGame]

You say'n you wouldn't except a "ride" from her?

Holy shit. She looks almost exactly like this chick I was smashing in Australia, minus the tattoos.

I broke the cardinal rule that time; Don't fuck your students.

Couldn't help it though I'm sure you all understand.

 

[Einarr]

There are people who like both BJJ and tattoos and want to combine the two. It shouldn't be that difficult to understand.

As for risking staph infection, I don't know anyone who got an infection on their tattoo and it is really rare.

I still wouldn't risk it, personally.

 

[Supereem]

I just think there is a lot of irony in, "I voluntarily took a week or two off BJJ and risked a staph infection . . . to show the world how much I love BJJ!"

Silly blue belt.

 

[Lenny7]

Holy shit. She looks almost exactly like this chick I was smashing in Australia, minus the tattoos.

I broke the cardinal rule that time; Don't fuck your students.

Couldn't help it though I'm sure you all understand.

You broke the cardinal rule, posting locker room crap people roll their eyes at.

 

[Zankou]

Here in Korea, there are large signs at some bathhouses that say, "By law those with tattoos are not allowed in the bath", but in the five years I've been here, I've never seen it enforced. I've seen Koreans (obvious gangsters and non gangsters) and foreigners here with tattoos and no one ever kicks them out. At most, you'll get quite a few stares. I've been going to this one across the street from my house for years with no problems:

Public pools can be a bit different. I've never had any problems, but a Korean guy I know was asked to wear a rashguard when he swims, because some people were complaining about his tattoos.

Japan is strict, and most places (especially in cities) will not let you enter a bathhouse with a tattoo. A couple of years ago when I was traveling around the country, I had tattoos that could be covered with a single rash guard sleeve. It looked pretty discreet, and I had no problems. I think everyone assumed my arm was hurt. Now, it would be impossible for me to enter many of them.

If you ever go to Japan and want to experience the bathhouse culture, I recommend going to the mountain towns (I suggest Takayama). There are many free open air Onsen in the mountains, and there are no restrictions on who can bathe.

EDIT: Zankou, haven't you mentioned before that you lived in Japan or have visited a few times? I guess you already know about Japan then.

That's good information Ned, thanks. I may end up visiting Korea next year because my wife wants to take the kids to visit her family there. Good to hear that they will let you into the bathhouses. We have Korean baths here in LA, but they are not nearly as nice as the ones they have in Korea.

Yeah, I've been to Japan several times and spent about two months there total traveling. Going to onsen or public bathhouses is one of my favorite things to do when traveling there, but that was before I got the tattoo, now I'm sure they won't let me in (particularly since it's huge and can't be covered up) and it would create an awkward scene. Sounds like onsen in the country might be okay though.

I have my 4th and probably last session scheduled this Sunday, so I'll try to post photos once it's healed. Another two weeks off the mats though, it's painful.

 

[Uchi Mata]

Just out of curiosity, do you guys ...mentally prepare... for getting tattoos in any specific way? I tend to Eddie Bravo a little bit before hand if you know what I mean, I've heard Kurt Osiander talk about popping a little something beforehand, I'd be curious if anyone thinks the pain is an important part of the process or just an annoyance.

 

[Zankou]

I just pop a couple ibuprofen and that's it. There are only a few spots that are horribly painful. Right over the upper ribs with a heavy liner is the only part that I found genuinely hard to deal with.

I'm one of those in favor of the pain being part of the process. You should remember it.

 

[LPJ]

Just out of curiosity, do you guys ...mentally prepare... for getting tattoos in any specific way? I tend to Eddie Bravo a little bit before hand if you know what I mean, I've heard Kurt Osiander talk about popping a little something beforehand, I'd be curious if anyone thinks the pain is an important part of the process or just an annoyance.

You practice a sport that involves repeatedly hyperextending joints and being crushed into submission but worry about a hour or three of burning?

Don't worry, you'll be fine.

 

[Uchi Mata]

You practice a sport that involves repeatedly hyperextending joints and being crushed into submission but worry about a hour or three of burning?

Don't worry, you'll be fine.

I've got a few, and only for ~half was I under the influence of any substance. I was curious more on a philosophical level if people thought the pain made it more meaningful, or if the experience of getting the tattoo was mostly irrelevant compared to the artwork itself.

 

[LPJ]

I've got a few, and only for ~half was I under the influence of any substance. I was curious more on a philosophical level if people thought the pain made it more meaningful, or if the experience of getting the tattoo was mostly irrelevant compared to the artwork itself.

For those that don't normally do activities that illicit pain, it's probably more meaningful. A middle age desk jockey or a teenage couch potato would find the pain to be unique enough make a big deal over the experience. If I were to guess, I bet a lot of the folks here don't attach a lot of existential meaning to the pain.

 

[Ice 9 Cobra]

Tattoos are way worse than anything I've done in grappling. When I got my ribs tattooed, it hurt so much I got nauseous. I barely bleed, so I've tried using some rx pain killers and rum (seperately), both do alright but after about four hours you're still miserable.

 

[Uchi Mata]

Tattoos are way worse than anything I've done in grappling. When I got my ribs tattooed, it hurt so much I got nauseous. I barely bleed, so I've tried using some rx pain killers and rum (seperately), both do alright but after about four hours you're still miserable.

Yeah, the soreness/pain is the worst. I don't mind the initial needle pain, but after a while when it just starts getting to that throbbing ache it's pretty damn unpleasant. Hence substances.

Like Bleeding Gums Murphy says: "I got enough pain in my life".

 

[Unipres]

Not really seeing the upside here.

 

[Zankou]

Tattoos are way worse than anything I've done in grappling. When I got my ribs tattooed, it hurt so much I got nauseous. I barely bleed, so I've tried using some rx pain killers and rum (seperately), both do alright but after about four hours you're still miserable.

This. Like I say, most tattoo locations don't hurt much at all, you can even fall asleep. Arms aren't very painful at all, for example, and they are the most common location. But you get work on the upper ribs, on the shins, or around the nipple, etc, then prepare for serious pain way beyond anything you'll get from grappling (unless you get an injury).

 

[Saenchai]

This. Like I say, most tattoo locations don't hurt much at all, you can even fall asleep. Arms aren't very painful at all, for example, and they are the most common location. But you get work on the upper ribs, on the shins, or around the nipple, etc, then prepare for serious pain way beyond anything you'll get from grappling (unless you get an injury).

Irezumi chest piece...

nipple area.... the pain!!

 

[Uchi Mata]

Irezumi chest piece...

nipple area.... the pain!!

I've thought about getting a piece across my chest, but frankly I think I'd have to be anesthetized for the nipple. I can't imagine how badly that shit would hurt.

 

[Ice 9 Cobra]

I've thought about getting a piece across my chest, but frankly I think I'd have to be anesthetized for the nipple. I can't imagine how badly that shit would hurt.

Upper chest is cake.