A Tattooed Life (Irezumi Ichidai, 1965) is a Japanese yakuza film directed by Seijun Suzuki, known for his stylized approach to crime cinema. The film stars Hideki Takahashi as Tetsu, a loyal yakuza hitman, and Masako Izumi as Otsuta, a woman he meets while on the run. Tetsu is distinguished by the elaborate tattoos covering his bodyÑa mark of his devotion and status within the yakuza underworld.

The story follows Tetsu and his younger brother Kenji as they flee after assassinating a rival boss. Their journey takes them to a remote mining town, where they assume false identities and attempt to start new lives. Tetsu finds romance with Otsuta, but the brothers' violent past inevitably catches up with them. As tensions rise and betrayals emerge, Tetsu is forced to confront the consequences of his criminal life and the limits of loyalty and redemption.

A Tattooed Life stands out for its combination of traditional yakuza themesÑhonor, violence, and brotherhoodÑwith Seijun Suzuki's visual flair and narrative experimentation. While not as wild as his later work, it hints at the bold style that would define his cult legacy in Japanese cinema.