RGG Yakuza/Like a Dragon Tattoo Analysis and Symbolism
@rggtattoos
Breakdowns of all the tattoos in the Like a Dragon series, and their symbolism. I also share tattoos ideas for characters with no canon tattoos and symbolism behind other animals/creatures/gods/plants not found in LAD tattoos by request.
In researching Saejima's necklace from 4, I found some information I thought could be useful to fans. Strap in, this one's a bit of an adventure, as well as a terrifying insight into my research process.
First of all, big thanks to the person who ripped the models and posted them online here: https://sketchfab.com/3d-models/yakuza-4-saejima-07416a2299bc4c48b7ebed5e70153ee7
Otherwise, the necklace would be nothing but a pixel-y blur to my eyes.
This happened because I am making a necklace inspired by Saejima's in 4. I wanted a clean view of the necklace for reference, and did a reverse search to see if it was perhaps based on a real piece of jewelry. I found that, no, it's based on a piece of clipart.
Obviously meant to be a generic "tribal" design, roughly 3d modeled as-is and then sloppily intersected with a donut to attach it to the chain. The upside is we get about the crispest reference for the design as is humanly possible.
But where did this come from? I doubted the modelers would have just grabbed any old bullshit for a main character. The copyright says "Oilshock," so I look them up.
In their own words, "OILSHOCKDESIGNS is a graphic design production company that specializes in apparel and fashion..." A design house of artists that does design graphics for clothes, wallart, stationary, ect, but also have worked on costume design for at least 1 video game: some Tekken Tag Tournament 2 DLC.
Not much else info. Barely any pictures. They mostly make designs for other companies. They did release a design book in 2008 (RGG 4 released in 2010) containing high-res samples of their designs and, an important part of this journey, a CD-ROM of all the art in the book. On the first page, OILSHOCK welcomes the buyer to use the art from the book in their own designs; change and edit them however they like. AKA, a complete open license. Bingo.
If only I could get my hands on a copy. Thank god we live in the future, because Archive.org has this book up online, free to borrow and flip through at my leisure.
127 pages : 19 cm +
There she is: page 50, design #180. The exact origin of a necklace seen in 1 game. I may never know why the hell Kiryu included a necklace in the bag of clothes he gave Saejima, but by god, I now know where the design came from.
I also found a site that licensed the design for expensive temporary tattoos. Fun! : https://www.inkboundtemporarytattoos.com/product-page/tribal-56
No offense, but I think your description of Masaru Watase's Tattoo is wrong. I think the confusion is based on the title, that is Asura King. It's just that King Mahabali is never really depicted like the tattoo that Watase has. Asuras in Hinduism that are good in nature are never really depicted in a 3 headed, fierce form,just look up Prahlada, he too is an Asura King. I think the Hinduism's Mahabali is not really what the Tattoo artist was going for. What are your thoughts on this?
No offense taken at all! I am not an expert in this field of mythology or irezumi. I'm just one nerd who did a lot of research. I sometimes misread, use bad references, or just get confused. That's one of the reasons I have a page for references, so people like you can check my work.
Upon reviewing the notes from Horitomo, the designer of all the tattoos in RGG, notes about Watase's tattoo, I think you are correct. Watase's Asura seems to not represent a specific Asura King. Horitomo says it is one of the representatives of evil defeated by Taishakuten/Indra, a Deva lord that rules the heavens.
Are there any that could be used by husband and wife for example dragon and phoenix? Also are spiders ever used? Or wolves?
The dragon and the vermillion bird are associated with masculine and feminine, so they make an excellent pairing for a couple! They complement one another in a lot of ways. I go into detail about the celestial symbols, including Dragon and Vermillion Bird HERE
(note that while some sources will translate the vermillion bird as a pheonix or "chinese pheonix", they are different creatures. Phoenixes are Greecian, and while both are associated with fire, and the cycles of life and death, the vermillion bird lacks the power of rebirth that defines a pheonix. This could just be me being pendantic, since the same could be said of the Ryuu/Long vs the western europian "dragon." It's just as a mythology buff I think it's an important distinction, especially if we are talking about depicting creatures in art.)
You can also look into the many myths and folk tales about love from Japan. There are many. One with a lot of symbolism and imagery is the story of Orihime (the weaver princess) and Hikoboshi (a cow hearder), two lovers that were seperated by their godly parents after they neglected their jobs, distracted by their love. They were placed as stars on opposite sides of the Milky Way. Once a year they reunite when a flock of magpies forms a bridge for them to cross and reunite on the 7th day of the 7th month.
As for spiders and wolves: yes and yes! Both crop up in Japanese folklore quite a bit. Spiders are often associated with seductive women, though there are a few straightforward spider monsters, like the Ushi-oni.
Japanese wolves are near extiction today, but they were once worshiped like many other animals. Japanese wolf species are much smaller than American and European species, and so were less of a threat and more helpful pest control. Some myths still depict them as potentially viscious, like the Senbiki Okami, a pack of 100 intellegent wolves that will form a ladder to catch prey from the trees. Like foxes, cats, and tanuki, wolves could be shape-shifters. They could be protectors or attackers; good luck or harbingers of death.
As always I recomend yokai.com and ukiyo-e.org for researching creatures and designs. They are fantastic, searchable resources that are very accessible to an english-speaking researcher. (not all my resources are! it's a pain!)
Do Red Spider Lilies ever show up in irezumi? If not, is there some some sort of taboo that comes with inking yourself with them. If yes, what would they symbolize?
I found some evidence of red spider lilies (Higabana) used in irezumi style tattoos, and nothing to suggest that there is any kind of taboo against using them in tattoos, only as a gift.
In addition to symbolizing death, red spider lilies are important to Buddism, as it is believed that the flowers grow in Jigoku (part of the afterlife that is often translated to "Hell" or "Purgatory") to lead the dead to reincarnation.
Any idea how I can get some art work inspo related to this series? I like the art of this, and would like to get a elephant motif like Saejima. The Asian Elephant, to be specific. Any old artworks regarding it?
I recommend searching Ukiyo-e artwork, as this style of printmaking has a distinct style with a lot in common with irezumi tattoo art.
Here is a collection of elephant art from ukiyo-e.org, a database of Ukiyo-e artwork spanning hundreds of years. https://ukiyo-e.org/search?q=Elephant
Also Wanting to get one but don’t know what one matches me or want something unique to me As a way to remember my dad even though i kinda didn’t get on well with him i still miss him
I am honored that anyone would ask my advice on these things! Please keep in mind I am not an expert, just someone who enjoys research. I can't give more specific advice without knowing more, but I'll do what I can to give you advice.
First of all, if you want this to be a memorial to your father, keep in mind what you know about him. His personality, how you felt about him, things you remember about him. This could also be a good opportunity to ask other people who knew him, family or friends, for stories. Other people's viewpoints can give us a different perspective on a person, and there may be people you love with stories to share. I would also reccomend you not shy away from complicated feelings. Complicated is ok. People are complicated, as is our feelings for them. Represent him in a way that feel true to you.
Next is research. If you're going for irezumi style, this usually involves a main subject (animal, monster, yokai, spirits and even people are all common.) and an accent. The main subject can be whatever speaks to you. Read folklore, whether it be Japanese or maybe something else that is close to you. There is a lot of fun myths to explore.
Flowers are common accent pieces, and flower language can communicate a lot of emotions, both positive and negative. You can also combine flowers for a more complex message.
My last bit of advice is to look at lots of tattoo examples for inspiration. You want a good image in your head as to what you want so you can communicate it clearly to your artists. Pick an artist who's work fits the style you want, and don't be afraid to ask their advice as well. Use their experience to your advantage. A good artist wants to do good work you'll be happy with.
Hello! I was wondering if you had any advice for different tattoos in these styles. I’ve been wanting one for a while but I want it to be unique to me. If you could recommend anything I would appreciate it very much!
I am by no means an expert, but I will give any advice I can!
I think the best thing would be to research folklore. Irezumi tattoo have deep personal meaning rooted in ancient mythology. There are hundreds of characters, monsters, and gods in Japan (to the point where some refer to Japan as a land of 1,000 gods)
Another thing to consider is if you want a border, and if so, what kind. Irezumi tattoo borders range from waves, to clouds to pebbled texture. A plain tattoo with no border is also not uncommon.
Here is one of the best rundowns of the basics of Irezumi tattooing tradition: https://www.bkktattoostudio13.com
Feel free to message me again if you have more specific questions!
Do you think people like Dojima, Kazama and Kashiwagi only have their backs tattooed, or do they also have tattoos on their chests, arms and legs?
In the RGG franchise, the amount of tattoo seems to often reflect how "consumed" by the yakuza lifestyle the character. Characters who try try to "break away" from tradition, or the yakuza as a whole tend to have the simpler tattoos (Kiryu, Daigo). While chacacters with full border tattoos seem incapable of existing outside the criminal world (Majima, Shimano). There is also a bit of a hero/villian line. A big part of Kashiwagi's character is the establishment of the CLA, which helps reintegrate former yakuza into civilian life. Meanwhile, Dojima is completely consumed by his desire for power by climbing the ranks of the Tojo.
Hi! I would love to get a full japanese sleeve. You think is possibile to create like a "tribute" to my family in this style? I've been researching a lot of the meanings behind the different myths and symbols in japanese style but i couldn't find anything related to family.
What do you recommend? Thank you 🖤
It's an honor to be asked for advice on such a personal thing! I think a tattoo tribute to your family is a lovely idea, and there are plenty of ways to execute it. I will do my best to help.
The first thing I would ask is if there are any things that you associate with your family, such as an animal or location? These can be excellent keywords to help you find something that represents your family in particular. Forests, mountains, cities, ect. all have mythical creatures associated with them.
For a more general mythical figure related to family, Japanese folklore has several spirits that are considered to be protectors of the home. Here are some examples I found:
Zashiki-warashi - spirit children that, while sometimes mischievous, also bring their host families good fortune and wealth. They will play with the children of the house, and keep the elderly company. They like offerings of candy.
Shoki - technically a Chinese god who gained popularity in Japan during the Edo period. He is a slayer of demons, wards off disease, and protects male heirs (though it became common to hang his image to protect female children as well).
Shachihoko - a creature with the body of a fish and the head of a tiger. statues of shachihoko are placed on the roof of homes to ward off fire.
Kudagitsune - "pipe fox" a tiny rat-sized fox that serves as a familiar to an entire family, bringing the household wealth while bringing curses to their enemies. though traditionally described as a normal fox in all but size, modern depictions often depict the kudagitsune as having a long, tube-like body and optional legs.
Plant elements are also a popular option. Once again, any plants you associate with your home and family in particular would be a good choice. As for more general plants associated with family, here's what I found:
Hypothetical tats for Akiyama, Tanimura, and Shinada?
The protagonists of 4 each have strong theming around the Celestial Symbols. Kiryu is the dragon, and Saejima is the tiger, as made clear by their respective tattoos. However, the VR game in 4 makes it clear who the others are supposed to be.
Akiyama Shun
Akiyama is the vermillion bird, though he is specifically more associated with phoenix imagery. The explosion of the Millennium Tower in 1 acted as the fire that allowed him to rise from the ashes and build the fortune he used to create Sky Finance. He also has a lot of sky/air association with the name "Sky Finance" coming from the very literal windfall of money that fell from the sky from the exploded 10 billion yen. So a phoenix with clouds to represent the sky would work well.
For a plant motif I went with Kane no Naruki or the "money plant".In Japanese flower language Kane no Naruki means "inviting good luck", "wealth", and "get rich quick", all of which reflects not only his enormous fortune which he uses to run Sky Finance, but his incredible luck that helped him build that fortune, and even dodge death a few times.
Tanimura Masayoshi
Tanimura is Genbu, the Black Tortoise. Genbu represents darkness and shadow, which could be seen as a reflection of Tanimura's association with the fringes of Japanese society, including Kamurocho's immigrant population, as well as his dealings with minor criminal organizations. The tortoise is also considered to be a warrior because of its shell "armor." Tanimura is a member of the police force, and the parry move signature to his fighting style makes him the one of the most defense-centered fighters in the series.
Genbu is said to have been created when a warrior went to wash earthly sin from his stomach and intestines. His stomach became a monstrous turtle and his intestines became the snake wrapped around Genbu’s shell. The warrior subdued the monster and it instead became a protector to work off its sins. Tanimura is a gambler and a corrupt cop who takes bribes, all of which are rooted in earthly desires. However, he also has a strong sense of justice and works to better the lives of others.
For Tanimura's flower I chose the spotted bellflower, which represents faithfulness and justice. In Japanese they are called "firefly bags". In Japanese folklore fireflies are said to be the souls of dead warriors. I thought this could also allude to Tanimura chasing his father's memory.
Shinada Tatsuo
Shinada replaces Tanimura as the Black Tortoise in 5. This is lampshaded during the Amon substory where it is outright stated that the rest of the crew consider Shinada as Tanimura's replacement. This ends up being fitting, as Genbu is actually a double entity, being depicted as a tortoise with a snake wrapped around it. This is because of the belief that all tortoises were female and thus had to mate with a snake in order to reproduce.
Genbu being a warrior serving penance for their sins fits several aspects of Shinada's character: his current destitute state resulting from (supposedly) cheating during a baseball game and getting banned from the league, as well as his focus on carnal pleasure over steady employment or career. Eventually he "redeems" himself by helping unwind Kurosawa's plot and officially becomes a member of the celestial symbols
Changing the orientation of the Genbu so there is more focus on the snake would make Shinada decidedly different from Tanimura, and encourage comparison between the two. Tanimura is driven by his desire to investigate his father's past, while Shinada is content to drift through life. Shinada doesn't seem to have any goals until a conspiracy targets him for unknown reasons.
Snakes also symbolize fertility, which I thought was fun, given Shinada's intimate knowledge of Nagoya's nightlife and adult entertainment scenes. They also are messengers of the gods and protectors of sacred places. Shinada is sent by Daigo and later Kiryu in order to protect Haruka at the concert, with the performance acting as a sacred place.
For Shinada's flower I chose the trailing ice plant. In Japanese flower language they represent laziness, but conversely also "achievement". Seemed to fit someone who was once a great athlete who is now a washed-up loser.
Hello! Do you have any headcanons for Makoto Makimura's possible tattoo (let's imagine for a minute that she somehow got involved into yakuza organisation)?
This was an easier request I could do quickly while working on a much bigger one!
After a bit of consideration, I decided to give her a bat, not only because it links her to her brother she longed to reconnect with, but also could be her reclaiming and re-framing her past. If she were to get a bat, I think it would be closer to the traditional Chinese 5 blessings bat. The bats represent the 5 blessings of longevity, wealth, health, love of virtue, and a peaceful death. These are graceful, stylized creatures with wings like the stroke of a calligraphy brush. Makoto has already proven herself to be willing to face fear head-on in 0, and I imagine if she got directly involved with the yakuza this would only increase. Taking the bat as her own would cement it as representing her brother and family and conquering her trauma.
For a flower I went with edelweiss, which represents "courage" and "precious memories" in Japanese flower language. I thought this would reflect Makoto's resilience as well as a tribute to all the important people she has lost.
do you have a tattoo idea for tsubasa kurosawa, the main antagonist of y5?
This was a tough one! I find Kurosawa's overall plan to be a bit inscrutable, (he seems to mostly be aiming for mass destruction) but I did my best to choose something good!
For Kurosawa I went with the Tsuchigumo, a type of giant spider yokai. Tsuchigumo one of the category of yokai where normal animals gain enhanced intelligence and magic upon reaching a particularly old age. Tsuchigumo is specifically a type of ground spider. They are cunning, vicious shapeshifters who lure humans into their dens in order to eat them. They are capable of making plans and impersonating humans in order to achieve their goals. Throughout 5 Kurosawa weaves a complicated trap to take down the main pillars of the Tojo. One aspect of his plan involves impersonating a police officer in order to trick the protagonists into following his plot, including convincing Seajima into hunting down Majima's supposed killer.
For a plant I chose Bay Laurel. In western flower language laurels are a symbol of victory. In Japanese flower language the flowers mean "betrayal" and the leaves "I will not change until I die." I figured this fit a man who will hurt anyone in the path to his goal, all the while being pursued by death due to cancer.
Are there any books you could recommend as reference for studying japanese tattoos or is it all researched online by you? Also, great work and thank you!
I do all my research online for sake of convenience, though there are many great books written about the history of Japanese tattoos as well as folklore.
A quick search and if you were looking for physical books "Japanese Tattoos: Meanings, Shapes and Motifs" by Yori Moriarty looks like a good resource on tattoos and "Handbook of Japanese Mythology" by Michael Ashkenazi is highly recommended as a starting place on Japanese mythology.
All the websites I use for research are listed under the "resources" tab on the main page.
Can you do a tattoo analysis/breakdown of Shadow Sae Niijima's tattoo? (This is from the official artbook)
An interesting request for a character from Persona 5! Not my usual fare for this blog, but I have played this game, and Shadow Sae's tattoo is definitely in the irezumi style, so I am happy to do some analysis.
Shadow Sae's tattoo is of yellow roses with long, thorny vines and what appears to be a Doberman Pinscher with cropped ears baring its teeth.
Dobermans were bred as personal protection dogs, and are known for their loyalty, and intelligence, though they also have a reputation for aggression (though research suggests this aggression is usually directed at perceived threats to the dog's owner). The breed was used by the United States as the country's official war-dog, and is also used as police dogs. This could symbolize Sae's role as a threat to the Phantom Thieves, ruthlessly hunting them down to bring them to justice, but also her frustration at being nothing more than the dog of an obviously corrupt police force.
Cropping is the amputation of some or all of the external parts of a dog's ear. This is done for aesthetic purposes, and to reduce grabbing targets in fighting dogs. The practice is largely considered inhumane and is illegal in several countries, though it is still unrestricted in both Japan and America. The cropped ears signal that this is a fighting dog, not just hunting or work.
Sae's roses, both on her hat and in her tattoo, are gold/yellow to match her eyes. Her dress and the thorns of her roses are black. Yellow roses can mean affection and friendship, but also jealousy, which is the Deadly Sin associated with Sae's palace. The friendship connection could also be seen in her personal connection to the Phantom Thieves through her sister, whom she still cares for even through Sae's corruption. Gold is the color of wealth and prestige, reflecting the decadence of Sae's casino and her role as a classy high-roller. Black is associated with death, evil and destruction. It is also the color of mourning in most of the world, including Japan and one of the primary theme colors for Persona 5, used to represent the Metaverse and the shadow versions of people, including both the palace rulers and the Phantom Thieves.
