Last month, a popular Japanese girl band got into a spot of bother for their hugely inappropriate Nazi-inspired Halloween costumes. But for citizens who really want to show their passion for National Socialism, the SS tattoo studio would appear to be the perfect place to go.
Martin says
In all fairness it’s not quite the same. Very cool photo though.
Lee says
Cheers.
Yeah, when I first saw it I thought it was exactly the same. But after looking at the photo at home, I realised it is slightly different. That said, it’s still very close. Uncomfortably close really. Hopefully it’s just an odd coincidence, but I have my doubts. Not in regards them actually being supporters mind you, more in a mistaken sense of it being cool or interesting.
Denton says
I’m gonna go with Martin. Not quite the same so let’s give them the benefit of doubt. Sure hope we are right!
Lee says
It’d certainly be nice to thinks so. Like I said above, I have my doubts, but yes, let’s hope so.
Rob says
Doesn’t that sign have an actual (different) meaning in Japan? Somewhere in the back of my mind it tells me I read about that somewhere, but I don’t recall what it was.
Lee says
Are you thinking of manji, a Japanese buddhist symbol that closely resembles the swastika? There was a fair bit of coverage on it at the start of the year. There’s a write-up about it here: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jan/20/japan-to-drop-the-swastika-from-its-tourist-maps
Rob says
Ah, you are right. I guess I mixed up my ‘Nazi-like’ symbols 🙂
Lee says
All too easily done!
Martin Knecht says
Tattoo School? I know that all of us have to begin an education at the beginning point of each subject, however I would feel better visiting a barber school.
At least a mistake would be corrected with time ! 😮
Lee says
I know eh? Often wondered how trainees go on, but for those on the receiving end it must be a pretty nerve wracking experience!
Christian says
I’d guess the resemblance is intended, but for a (supposedly) different meaning/reason. As a German who used to live in Tokyo, I was puzzled how often I came across fashion items and styles that refer to nazi symbols. You find them also quite often in the japanese punk scene (which I found to be particularly odd). What I started to understand was that those symbols (in the vast majority of cases) are perceived as symbols of a rebel culture. And as fashion is typically more important than understanding of historical events and political correctness, you will find quite a few japanese musicians and idols that sometimes wear nazi-esque uniforms. Just google “nazi uniform japanese musician” and you will come across a very recent case. I guess its the same for this tattoo studio, given that tattoos are still tabooed in Japan.
Christian says
Ah, and I forgot, you also find such lettering on earlier Slayer records (what also was done to provocate).
Lee says
Yeah, totally agree. Mentioned in an earlier comment that while I’m sure they know what the symbols represent, they are actually being used for perceived cool/edgy reasons rather than anything genuinely disturbing. Not at all sure that makes their use acceptable, but it does help explain why they are there.