IV. Reading Comprehension
        The word tattoo originates from Polynesia where, on islands like Tahiti and Samoa, the tribal tattoo traditionally played a significant role in the organization and interaction of the people. Ancient Maori people painted their faces with charcoal before battles. Eventually, the markings were made permanent by tattooing so that they did not have to be reapplied before each battle. Warriors without these facial markings were referred to as ‟plain face” and were considered social outcasts. The Haida people, who inhabit the Queen Charlotte Islands near Canada, today still tattoo their hands and forearms with pictures of animals that signify their family name. In some jungle tribes of Borneo, a tattoo is viewed as a talisman and is worn to protect a person from harm and disease. Other indigenous cultures display bodily markings as a kind of trophy to signify success in hunting.
       Today, tattooing is a common practice in many parts of the world. For some people, a tattoo is simply a form of body decoration； for others, it provides a symbol of cultural or group identity. Millions of people, including 30 million in the U.S. alone, have some form of tattoo on their body. However, tattooing may also have a negative image； in Japan, for example, a common perception of people with tattoos is that they are associated with the Japanese mafia, or yakuza.
      Many tattooists in Japan emulate classical Japanese artistic styles in their work. Throughout the world, in fact, tattooists are often referred to as tattoo artists, and many studio employers insist that these artists have some kind of background or training in art before hiring them. Some tattoo artists will have taken university courses in art or related subjects before seeking employment. An artistic background and attention to detail are important for two reasons: first, as with traditional tattooing in indigenous cultures, modern tattoos—for example, a person’s astrological symbol or an image of a family member or close friend—may have special meaning to the wearer. The tattoo artist must meet the exact requirements of his or her customers in terms of artistic style and aesthetic quality. Second, because tattooing is a time consuming and often painful procedure, with results that are permanent, it must be done well artistically and very carefully.
       The stereotypical image of the tattoo parlor as a dingy backstreet shop is, in most cases, far from reality. A modern tattoo studio today is more likely to look like a dentist’s office, with waiting room walls adorned with artwork. As needles are used in the tattooing process, cleanliness and hygiene are of the utmost importance. The National Tattoo Association in the U.S. has over a thousand members, and promotes the image of tattooing as a profession with high quality standards.