Are Tattoos Sexy in JAV?

Tattoos are often regarded as a cosmetic choice in the West, but tattoos in Japan are seen in a bit of a different light - they carry historical baggage due to being tied to organized crime. Larger tattoos, such as those in the irezumi (traditional Japanese tattoo) style, were symbolic of criminal affiliation, social outcasts, or rebellious youth.

Unfortunately, this does seem to affect some JAV studios, as they often try to sell movies that contain a "girl-next-door" or "ideal girlfriend" aesthetic. Women in such videos tend to possess an image of purity and femininity, which makes the works approachable for all types of individuals, and particularly for those new to the medium. Women boasting large and intimidating tattoos that are socially believed to be in bad taste only proves disruptive to this fantasy.

Of course, tattoos still exist in some JAV, though they are naturally regarded as niche and a rarity. The women emblazoned with the tattoos are usually depicted as "delinquents" or "bad girls", placing their tattoos within a broader aesthetic of "rebellion".

While there are some who find tattoos to be gross or off-putting, many have a positive taste for them for the exact same reason. Tattoos are often associated with "rebellion" and strength, and to witness a woman adorned with a tattoo suggests she is experienced, confident, and does not care for the expectations put on her by others. This aura can be stimulating for some, particularly those who prefer women to be dominant over the male actors.

It can't be overstated that a large, attention-grabbing tattoo often becomes the center of attention in a sex scene. For better or worse, the tattoo is what will mostly get looked at when it becomes visible, so what does that mean for a sex scene? I personally feel that if the tattoo is sexy and not grotesque or distracting, it could help add to a scene. One could think of it as a unique hairstyle, earrings, or a ribbon - a tattoo is merely an accessory meant to accentuate beauty. However, if that tattoo is INCREDIBLY large (or distracting, like a tattoo of a flexing man or something), I feel like it's more of a burden than an accessory. One can't help but focus on it entirely instead of the woman's exposed genitals and breasts, and I feel that's a really big negative.

A tattoo can also be strategically placed - take for instance, a flower tattoo near a woman's vagina. While a flower isn't exactly that sexy, the positioning helps make it a little more so. The tattoo can serve as like a "welcome mat" of sorts, beckoning to an interested male and persuading him to perform intercourse. One could stare at the tattoo during penetration, adding to the experience.

Continuing on that subject, a goth girl, for example, could have a skeleton hand tattoo reaching up to her breast, making it look as if the hand is grabbing it. This is a rather nice concept and is a great example of how a tattoo can be sexy.

Tattoos might be less culturally accepted in Japan, but there are a sect out there that really love them. Recollect the well-known "womb tattoo" that is often seen in hentai and other forms of Japanese erotica. It is essentially a tattoo depicting a woman's womb that is also placed where her womb would be. Such scandalous depictions are a nice form of eye candy that aren't too grotesque, and demonstrate one way in which tattoos can add to a production (at least when it comes to creativity).

As previously mentioned, those in the West find tattoos far more tasteful than Japanese JAV fanatics. Tattoos are normalized and often regarded as sexy by many individuals in the West, with the niche of desiring tatted maidens only growing further with each year, and it's something that some studios are similarly growing privy to.

Many parts of Japanese society still have a disdain for tattoos, but there are some of the younger generation who are thinking differently, leading to a shift in tastes. The concept of tattoos being reserved solely for "delinquents" or criminals might be losing ground, instead giving way to a greater multitude of JAV with unique appeal.

Tattoos aren't just about sexiness, as they can also be an intriguing way of conveying a character's backstory or personality in a more story-driven work. It can be the perfect symbol for a character that permanently remains in plain view whenever they are on-screen, which is quite the artistic depiction. They are an incredible form of visual story-telling in that they can express so much without any character even needing to utter any dialogue. Be them a yakuza mistress, a troubled runaway, or some street punk - a tattoo is a gritty and realistic addition that can add depth to a character.

To give a greater example, you could have a rough and tough girl who doesn't take anything from anyone, but upon closer inspection you can see she has a tattoo of a cute cat that she keeps hidden from people. This is because she really likes cats - this helps give her greater personal depth, as while she is tough and rough, she also loves cats, but hides this fact because she's afraid that others might see her as weak (for example). This "sweeter side" to the "delinquent-type" character is regarded as highly attractive by many, in both fiction and JAV.

Rarely do I ever see tattoos utilized in such a way in fiction and entertainment, so naturally it is even rarer in JAV still - but I feel the chance to utilize tattoos in such a fashion is a missed opportunity.

In general, a woman wearing a tattoo often has her pushing a specific personality - many believe such a woman boasts great confidence, an untamable spirit, and even exudes a bit of "danger" (which can be stimulating). Many JAV in existence today have the woman assuming a role of submission and innocence, but a movie with a tattooed woman flips things on its head and does things differently. Instead, the woman might be an initiator or take the lead in a headstrong manner - she doesn't need to be "seduced" because she's already quite sure of herself.

Such a deviation from the norm easily attracts attention and musters interest simply because it's different. While different doesn't necessarily mean better, such difference helps watchers to try new things and perhaps even develop new interests, and that's always a good thing. For some people, tattoos break the illusion of acted naivety and bring a carnal energy to a movie.

Tattoos help make characters and bodies more memorable as well - something that isn't necessarily sexual. Making things memorable is a great way to give a production value and worth, and since tattoos are rare, they are a great thing to make use of. When the camera lingers at a particular point and the tattoo is in plain view, it's not just sexy, it's artistic, and it can help give narrative depth, be it real or in the watcher's head.