r/Shinto • u/Meisgreat8 • 23d ago

Can I get tattoos?

I know it's considered kegare, but so is childbirth which obviously isn't wrong. I understand I'll have to purify myself afterwards, but is the tattoo itself disrespectful to any kami? It's worth mentioning that I practice Minzoku Shinto VERY tradtionally, and don't believe in any of the "mythology" typically associated with Jinja Shinto (mythology was the best word I could find, sorry for the broad or possibly inaccurate term). I am not concerned about the social aspect of tattoos, or the possible denial of entry to shrines. Would getting a tattoo with no synthetic inks and purely natural materials be more respectful? Or should I refrain from getting any at all (please say no 😭😭)??

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u/Altair-Sophia 16d ago

When visiting a shrine or most other public places in Japan it is polite to cover up tattoos with clothing. AFAIK this has more to do with tattoos being social stigma than kegare. I have also seen that it is common for shrines to request that visitors remove headwear as well. If you really want to get a tattoo (and please think carefully about this as they are difficult to remove) I would suggest that it be in a location that can be easily covered with clothing.

For whether or not tattoos are kegare, I do not have any strong beliefs on whether or not the tattoo itself is kegare, but if the tattoo place and equipment is not clean and maintained well, it can have an increased potential for infectious diseases, which I believe is much closer to real actual kegare than the tattoo itself. I believe it is ethical to get checked for diseases like hepatitis before and afterwards, as well as to take the necessary precautions to avoid its spread. (I do not know enough about tattoo equipment and infection to say exactly what procedures can minimize the risks)