Yoichi Nagumo is one of the most intriguing and complex characters in Sakamoto Days. A former member of the elite assassin organization known as the Order, and best friend of Taro Sakamoto and Rion Akao, Nagumo is distinguished not only by his offbeat personality but also by the mysterious tattoos that cover much of his body. The latest trailer of Sakamoto Days showcases tattoos on Nagumo’s hand, but what do they mean?
Although most of them are concealed by his clothing, the series has gradually uncovered them. The tattoos are not merely for aesthetics; each symbolizes something, representing Nagumo’s personality, ethics, and relationships to the individuals who influenced him.
Let’s examine more closely what these tattoos tell us about Nagumo.
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The Golden Ratio and Fibonacci Spiral
Nagumo has a number of tattoos referring to the Golden Ratio (ϕ ≈ 1.618), such as a Fibonacci spiral tattoo on his neck, rectangular patterns on his hands, and a symbolic formula on his forearm. The Golden Ratio is also present in nature, architecture, and art referring to balance, harmony, and perfection of design.
For a character such as Nagumo, who often seems unorganized, these tattoos hint at a hidden order beneath his seemingly chaotic personality. They hint at his methodical approach to assassination, where even the most absurd actions follow a deliberate and calculated path. The Fibonacci sequence also appears to influence his fingers, with the numbers 1 and 2, and the symbol ϕ, inked on them.
Praying Hands by Albrecht Dürer
On his left chest, Nagumo has the Praying Hands tattoo, one of Albrecht Dürer’s most famous drawings. The image symbolizes prayer, humility, and reverence. It’s an odd spot for a hitman to have it, but for Nagumo, perhaps it signifies a fierce, personal sense of respect, maybe for Sakamoto?
Sakamoto, a former top assassin, is a man Nagumo clearly has respect for. The tattoo perhaps does not indicate religious faith, but a form of faith in loyalty, bonds, and shared history, particularly for individuals who have lived through bloodshed together.
Swallow Bird & Snake
Nagumo also sports a swallow tattooed on his lower right leg and a snake wrapped around his left leg. The swallow is usually used to symbolize loyalty, safe passage, and freedom – traits that perhaps symbolize Sakamoto, who was able to escape the life of an assassin.
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The snake, traditionally symbolizing danger, wisdom, and transformation, may represent Rion Akao, whose combat and presence were as deadly and slick as a snake.
Other fans have interpreted these tattoos as homage to the two most significant individuals in Nagumo’s life. If that is true, it gives a sentimental twist to his tattoos, making his body a canvas of memories and relationships that have shaped him.
Memento-Inspired Tattoo
On his left bicep, Nagumo has a tattoo inspired by the movie Memento, Christopher Nolan’s psychological thriller about a man with short-term memory loss who tattoos himself with clues to find his wife’s killer. Loss, revenge, and remembering what counts drive the protagonist.
For Nagumo, this tattoo might symbolize his emotional connection to Rion Akao. What happened to her touched him, and he’s been chasing the truth behind it ever since. The tattoo might be a personal memento of what he’s lost and a reminder of how that sorrow continues to drive him. Nagumo carries his mission on his skin, just like Leonard Shelby in Memento.
Quotes by Chekhov and Schopenhauer
Nagumo’s tattoos also feature quotes from two great thinkers:
Anton Chekhov: “Whether you are truthful or not, people will trust you, provided you tell them firmly.”
This quote fits Nagumo’s talent for deception. He manages to survive by trickery, deception, and manipulation, both in combat and life. His self-assurance makes his lies sound true just like how Anton Chekhov puts it.
Arthur Schopenhauer: “Der Arzt sieht alle Schwäche der Menschheit; der Anwalt alle Bösehaft, der Theologe alle Dummheit.”
Translation: The doctor sees all the weakness of humanity; the lawyer all the wickedness, the theologian all the stupidity.
This quote reveals a darker, more cynical perception of human beings. Behind his good-natured exterior, Nagumo appears to have a deep disillusionment. His statement that he became an assassin “because it seemed fun” is perhaps only a smokescreen for a more bleak philosophy. This statement betrays a side of him that perceives through social roles and masks.
The Impossible Shape and Mandala
On his shin, Nagumo bears a tattoo of an impossible cube, an optical illusion that cannot be constructed logically. It’s an appropriate symbol for a man who continually warps perception, looking ridiculous but deadly effective. On his shoulder, there is a mandala-like pattern, symbolizing wholeness, complexity, and endless cycles.
Both tattoos depict themes of multiplicity of identity, mystery, and paradox. They’re visual representations of Nagumo’s identity, someone who defies simplification, someone who exists between contradictions, and someone who embraces the surreal without ever losing control.
“The Creation of Adam” Twist
Nagumo wears a tattoo of Michelangelo’s The Creation of Adam, with a subtle modification: Adam’s hand is reversed, palm up. A tiny difference completely alters the character of the image. Instead of being bestowed the divine spark of life, this one might be giving life or extracting life.
For someone in Nagumo’s profession, this reinterpretation could be the manner in which assassins play god themselves, choosing to kill or not to kill. It’s a clever, introspective twist on a work of familiar art that suits Nagumo’s nature as someone who always subverts expectations.
Nagumo’s Tattoos Have Deep Meaning
Nagumo’s tattoos are not just random designs. Each tattoo is a representation of his very essence. They draw on mathematics, fine art, philosophy, film, and emotional experience to create a highly unique and complex individual.
Each reflects a meaning: an experience, a belief, or a caution. Together, they show a side of Nagumo that words cannot always convey, a man who conceals immense introspection behind a smiling face. In Sakamoto Days, all the assassins have secrets. But Nagumo? He wears his past, his agony, and his philosophy on his body.
