'Nine Tattooed Dragon
One of the most popular outlaw characters in the novel is Shishin or the 'Nine Tattooed Dragon' who bore extensive full-body tattoos. Soon Japanese from all social levels started to tattoo ornate designs (irezumi) on their bodies that depict heroic figures, gods, mythical creatures and other traditional and popular images. Presently in modern day Japan the art of tattooing is still slightly stigmatized though it remains a highly regarded art form.