At that time only the most noble were allowed to display and wear fine clothing. The middle class which mostly consisted of general labourers, were forbidden to adorn themselves and wear fine clothes. As the middle class were denied permission to show any adornment, they used an alternative method and chose body suit tattoos.
It is believed the body suits were derived from samurai warrior’s sleeveless campaign coats. These coats usually displayed heroic designs on the back such as symbols of great bravery and pride. Body suits tattoo designs began on the back and continued to extend to the arms, shoulders, thighs and eventually the entire body.
If one tattoos over the entire front of their upper bodies, with the exception of a vertical strip from the chest to the abdomen, this gives the effect or illusion of an unbuttoned vest or body suit. Body Suit tattooing, explains not only the art involved but also the political and the social forces that is involved in the Japanese culture. This art is the top pick of the college level arts that best holds the culture and history of art. There are many Tattoo events and tattoo shops in big cities which make body tattooing a popular among the people.
The growth of the body suit also coincided with the growing popularity of the fictional tattooed heroes. Near the end of the eighteenth and the start of the nineteenth centuries illustrated by the works of fiction was created both the inspiration and desire for tattoos.