Shapes and motifs that went from the ukiyo-e sheets to the skin to beautify and protect its wearers. Mythological animals like the dragon, real like the carp, Buddhist deities like Fudo, supernatural creatures like the oni and the tengu, flowers and historical characters Irezumi itai reveals the meaning and secrets of all of them. From its origins as a method of marking prisoners and criminals, tattooing in Japan (irezumi) has always been considered a taboo and this association with the criminal and underworld world has earned it a very bad reputation. Tattoo's intimate relationship with the dark world of the yakuza has undeniably contributed to covering this form of artistic expression with a halo of mystery.