The Hebi in Japanese mythology and contemporary tattoo culture

Abstract

This paper examines the serpent (蛇, hebi) as a central figure in Japanese mythology, religious practice, and contemporary tattoo artistry. Through analysis of primary mythological texts, theatrical traditions, and visual culture, this study demonstrates how the hebi embodies fundamental dualities within Japanese cosmology—simultaneously representing peril and protection, fertility and death, earthly presence and liminal transcendence. The research traces the serpent's evolution from ancient Shinto mountain worship through Buddhist syncretism to its contemporary manifestation in irezumi tattoo culture. Drawing upon ukiyo-e printmaking traditions and ethnographic studies of serpent veneration, this paper argues that the hebi's enduring significance stems from its capacity to embody transformation and liminality, making it particularly resonant within tattoo culture where permanent marking paradoxically represents change and becoming. The study contributes to understanding how mythological symbols maintain cultural relevance whilst adapting to contemporary artistic contexts.