Yeah, I met a guy one time who came to karate class (this was about 15 years ago) who had a giant Japanese symbol tatooed on his chest. He was there temporarily, because I think he was a thief, stole the instructor's black belt.
Anyway, I was thinking, what is this guy gonna do 30 years from now, when he's a wuss and doesn't do karate anymore? The guy wasn't Japanese, and for all he knows, his tatoo probably says something like that...LOL.
One time, one of the visiting 7 Dans (Japanese) came to the dojo, and ordered some calligraphy removed that was on display. No telling what it said, it was done by an American of high rank, and could have been derogatory for all I know. Politics you know.
That's the problem with not knowing what something says. It's a western fad. The Japanese take dim view of others than Japanese using their symbols, like trying to speak their language. If you're not Japanese, forget it as far as them respecting you. You're better off being yourself, and not trying to be something you're not.
Les
