Japan is one of the oldest and most famous tattoo cultures in the world. Tattooing or irezumi in Japan can be traced back to approximately 10,000 BCX. Throughout time, tattooing's place in Japanese society has fluctuated—largely in part of it's association with  organized crime. Today, in many parts of Japan, tattooing has gone under ground and artists need to be extremely secretive about the process.

However, in 2018 there are hundreds of tattoo artists who specialize in traditional or contemporary Japanese tattooing—and we're about to show you ten of them. These artists come from around the world, including New York City, Los Angeles, Taiwan and China. Take a look at the gallery below to see 100 amazing Japanese tattoos and let us know which piece took your breath away in the comments section on Facebook. 

Tattoo by @artemy_neumoin

Tattoo by @artemy_neumoin

Tattoo by @artemy_neumoin

Tattoo by @artemy_neumoin

Tattoo by @artemy_neumoin

Tattoo by @artemy_neumoin

Tattoo by @artemy_neumoin

Tattoo by @artemy_neumoin

Tattoo by @artemy_neumoin

Tattoo by @artemy_neumoin

Tattoo by @chrisgarver

Tattoo by @chrisgarver

Tattoo by @chrisgarver

Tattoo by @chrisgarver

Tattoo by @chrisgarver

Tattoo by @chrisgarver

Tattoo by @chrisgarver

Tattoo by @chrisgarver

Tattoo by @chrisgarver

Tattoo by @chrisgarver

Tattoo by @diaozuo

Tattoo by @diaozuo

Tattoo by @diaozuo

Tattoo by @diaozuo

Tattoo by @diaozuo

Tattoo by @diaozuo

Tattoo by @diaozuo

Tattoo by @diaozuo

Tattoo by @diaozuo

Tattoo by @diaozuo

Tattoo by @gakkinx

Tattoo by @gakkinx

Tattoo by @gakkinx

Tattoo by @gakkinx

Tattoo by @gakkinx

Tattoo by @gakkinx

Tattoo by @gakkinx

Tattoo by @gakkinx

Tattoo by @gakkinx

Tattoo by @gakkinx

Tattoo by @kevinmarr_horikema

Tattoo by @kevinmarr_horikema

Tattoo by @kevinmarr_horikema

Tattoo by @kevinmarr_horikema

Tattoo by @kevinmarr_horikema

Tattoo by @kevinmarr_horikema

Tattoo by @kevinmarr_horikema

Tattoo by @kevinmarr_horikema

Tattoo by @kevinmarr_horikema

Tattoo by @kevinmarr_horikema

Tattoo by @horitaru

Tattoo by @horitaru

Tattoo by @horitaru

Tattoo by @horitaru

Tattoo by @horitaru

Tattoo by @horitaru

Tattoo by @horitaru

Tattoo by @horitaru

Tattoo by @horitaru

Tattoo by @horitaru

Tattoo by @jessyentattoo

Tattoo by @jessyentattoo

Tattoo by @jessyentattoo

Tattoo by @jessyentattoo

Tattoo by @jessyentattoo

Tattoo by @jessyentattoo

Tattoo by @jessyentattoo

Tattoo by @jessyentattoo

Tattoo by @jessyentattoo

Tattoo by @nicklaswestin

Tattoo by @nicklaswestin

Tattoo by @nicklaswestin

Tattoo by @nicklaswestin

Tattoo by @nicklaswestin

Tattoo by @nicklaswestin

Tattoo by @nicklaswestin

Tattoo by @nicklaswestin

Tattoo by @nicklaswestin

Tattoo by @nicklaswestin

Tattoo by @shane_tan

Tattoo by @shane_tan

Tattoo by @shane_tan

Tattoo by @shane_tan

Tattoo by @shane_tan

Tattoo by @shane_tan

Tattoo by @shane_tan

Tattoo by @shane_tan

Tattoo by @shane_tan

Tattoo by @shane_tan

Tattoo by @yintattoo1414

Tattoo by @yintattoo1414

Tattoo by @yintattoo1414

Tattoo by @yintattoo1414

Tattoo by @yintattoo1414

Tattoo by @yintattoo1414

Tattoo by @yintattoo1414

Tattoo by @yintattoo1414

Tattoo by @yintattoo1414

Tattoo by @yintattoo1414