Doctor Fukushi Masaichi And The Art Of Preserving Tattooed Skin
Tattoos have different meanings across cultures, ranging from sacred symbols to marks of rebellion. In Japan, tattoos are part of a broader subculture called irezumi, an intricate form of body art with its own set of unique designs, imagery, and symbolism. These elaborate tattoos often cover large parts of the body, with some resulting in full “bodysuits,” a tradition that is frequently linked with the yakuza—Japan’s organised crime syndicates.
But while many viewed irezumi as a criminal mark or a cultural statement, one man saw these tattoos as something much more fascinating: scientific specimens. That man was Dr Fukushi Masaichi, a Japanese pathologist who embarked on an unusual mission to preserve human tattooed skin for medical research. His life's work would later be continued by his son, Dr Fukushi Katsunari, who helped preserve the tattoo legacy and ensure that the art lived on after death.
Early Life and Medical Career
Dr Fukushi Masaichi was born in 1878 and demonstrated an early interest in the medical sciences. He pursued his education at the prestigious Tokyo Imperial University of Medicine, where he developed a strong foundation in pathology. Not content with the knowledge he gained in Japan, Masaichi travelled to Germany to further his studies in one of Europe’s medical hubs. On his return to Japan, he made significant strides in his field, eventually founding the Japanese Pathological Society.
Masaichi’s early medical research focused on the study of syphilis, particularly its effects on the body’s cardiovascular system, such as syphilitic aortitis. He also explored diseases of the thyroid.
However, his medical career took a rather macabre turn after a discovery that would change the course of his life. While studying the effects of syphilis on the skin, Masaichi observed that tattoo ink seemed to prevent scarring from the disease. Intrigued by the way ink interacted with human skin, Masaichi shifted his focus from diseases to tattoos.
Thus began his fascination with irezumi—particularly the intricate full-body tattoos, or bodysuits, that were common among Japan’s working-class communities and the yakuza. What began as scientific interest evolved into a full-fledged obsession, one that would come to define his legacy.
Becoming "Doctor Tattoo"
In 1907, Dr Masaichi formally embarked on his research into tattoos. He travelled across Japan, seeking individuals with elaborate irezumi designs. His particular interest was in preserving the tattoos of those who had full-body coverage. He wasn’t just content to study these tattoos during life—he wanted to preserve them after death, ensuring that the artistry and cultural significance of these bodysuits wouldn’t disappear with the passing of their wearers.
To achieve this, Masaichi made a unique proposition: he would pay individuals in exchange for the right to preserve their tattooed skin after they had died. In some cases, he even funded tattoos for those who couldn’t afford them, provided that they agreed to donate their skin posthumously. His subjects, largely members of the irezumi subculture, were willing participants. Many saw their tattoos as works of art too valuable to be buried or burned after death.
Masaichi’s preservation method was unorthodox but highly effective. He used two different techniques to preserve the tattooed skins, or "pelts": wet and dry. In the dry method, the skin was carefully peeled away from the body, with the tissue and nerves scraped off before the tattooed hide was stretched out and dried. This process ensured that the colours and designs of the tattoos would remain intact long after the individual had passed away.
At the height of his research, Dr Masaichi amassed a staggering collection of 2,000 tattooed human pelts. He also documented these tattoos with over 3,000 photographs, preserving not just the skin but the stories and cultural significance behind the tattoos. His work became renowned, and despite the grisliness of his practice, he was respected in the tattoo community. Masaichi was often invited to tattoo exhibitions and competitions, where his interest in preserving irezumi was appreciated by those who saw their tattoos as cultural artefacts.
Tragedy Strikes: Wartime Losses and a Stolen Suitcase
Unfortunately, much of Dr Masaichi’s collection did not survive the test of time. In 1945, during World War II, Allied air raids on Japan destroyed a significant portion of his collection, along with many of the photographs he had painstakingly taken. But that wasn’t the only loss. During a trip to the United States, Dr Masaichi brought along some of his prized tattooed skins in a suitcase. In a bizarre twist of fate, the suitcase was stolen while he was in Chicago. The fate of those tattooed skins remains a mystery to this day, with the thief likely unaware of the unique—and eerie—contents of the suitcase.
Despite the losses, at least 105 pieces remained intact and Masaichi set up a display in the Medical Pathology Museum of Tokyo University. The collection isn’t available to be viewed by the public.
Enter Dr Fukushi Katsunari: The Son and the Heir to the Collection
After Dr Fukushi Masaichi’s death, his son, Dr Fukushi Katsunari, took up the mantle. Katsunari’s role was critical in preserving what remained of the collection after the wartime bombings and the loss in America. As a pathologist like his father, Katsunari shared his father’s fascination with tattoos, but his involvement went beyond mere scientific curiosity. He became the custodian of the collection, ensuring that his father’s work did not fade into obscurity.
Katsunari's dedication was crucial in maintaining the legacy of irezumi tattoos. He meticulously cared for the remaining pelts and continued to document the stories behind them. Like his father, Katsunari participated in tattoo exhibitions and competitions, helping to bridge the gap between the world of medicine and the world of tattoo artistry. He understood the importance of the collection not just as scientific specimens but as a cultural archive, preserving a unique part of Japan’s history.
While Japan’s attitude towards tattoos shifted after the war—particularly with the association of tattoos with the yakuza—Katsunari continued to champion the preservation of irezumi. Despite the increasing criminalisation of tattoos in Japan, the work of the Fukushi family ensured that the artistic and cultural significance of irezumi lived on.
The Legacy of Dr Fukushi Masaichi and Katsunari
Together, Dr Fukushi Masaichi and his son Katsunari left an indelible mark on both the scientific and artistic worlds. What began as a medical curiosity about the way tattoo ink preserved skin evolved into a full-scale project to document and preserve one of Japan’s most unique art forms. Through their work, the Fukushis ensured that the intricate designs of irezumi tattoos—along with the stories behind them—would not be lost to time.
Today, the legacy of the Fukushi family stands as a testament to the idea that art can take many forms, and that even in death, it can live on. Their dedication to preserving irezumi as a cultural artefact reminds us of the complex relationship between the human body, art, and science.
While the idea of peeling off tattooed skin may be unsettling for many, for Dr Masaichi, his son Katsunari, and the tattooed individuals who donated their skins, it was a way of ensuring that their art would be immortal. In their view, the greatest art should not die with the artist—it should live forever, even if it means living on human skin.