Cleo, getting a tat is a wonderful feeling... the pain is only a gentle reminder of the more permanent statement and expression you are making. I haven't gotten one for many years, but it is on the list of things to do as a reward when some other goals are accomplished, almost certainly before the summer is over.
I am in awe of the japanese Yakuza style suits, as they have much meaning and much pain that it takes to get there. (The image here is interesting, you will see that the sleeves stop at a certain point and the "center" of the chest and stomach are blank - this allows them to wear normal shirts and not to expose their, ummm, affiliations and markings.
Very intense indeed.
Alex