Dida

These two tattoos can be seen to be direct contrasts of one another. While the subject is the same, the details make it clear that these are two very different men. I tried to consider symbolism from both Japan and China, given the cultural background of Oda and Tachibana and how them both having Chinese heritage is important to their character.

Oda’s bat is green, a color associated with nature, vitality, and energy. It is also paired with the familiar flame pattern that appears in many tattoo designs throughout the yakuza series. Flames represent movement and passion, a person who seeks out what they desire through action. Oda acts without any internal moral code, will stab a man in the back if it means keeping a secret that would cause him to lose the confidence of a man he claims to love.

 Meanwhile Tachibana's bat is orange, a color representing civilization, knowledge and happiness. Tachibana gains power through his financial sense, not physical strength. Leaves represent the natural cycle of life and death. Tachibana invites his own death when he is captured and threatened with torture so that any secrets he has will not be pulled out of him. He does so without fear, embracing death to protect his sister's life. Tachibana's bat also has damaged wings, reflecting not only his physical disability, but the psychological scars he carries from his difficult childhood and scattered family.

Globalism has also caused symbolism from other cultures to blend with traditional meanings. In China and Japan the bat is exclusively a symbol of happiness and good fortune. The "five bats" design is quite popular throughout the East. However, the very recent rise in popularity of Halloween internationally has spread the imagery of the bat being scary.