When parts of the image (typically graphic or sensitive contents such as sexual organs, gore, or offensive symbolism) were obscured, typically to comply with censorship laws.

On Danbooru, this typically encompasses various Japanese pornographic materials that were censored as a result of the Japanese law. Techniques that prevent viewing sexual parts, usually [[pussy|vaginas]], [[penis]]es and [[dildo]]s but occasionally [[nipples]]. Note that the [[anus]] is not usually considered a sexual part in Japanese censorship.  

Common forms include [[mosaic censoring|mosaics]], [[bar censor|black bars]], mysterious [[light censor|white lights]], inverted colors, shaded bars, and the infamous [[invisible penis]]. [[Tentacles]] or phallic objects are commonly used to resemble genitals and generally don't need to be censored, though the point of intercourse with a vagina does. 

For obstructions that are [i]internal[/i] to the picture, like a lock of [[hair_censor|hair]] that just happens to cover the genitals, use the tag [[convenient censoring]] instead of censored.

h4. History

Obscenity in Japan has been illegal to some degree since the 19th century Meiji Era, but the Criminal Code of 1907 relating to obscenity was reinforced (or at least not overturned as other laws restricting freedom were) when American General MacArthur established Japan's modern laws after WW2.

[quote]
[i]Criminal Code of Japan, Article 175. (Distribution of Obscene Objects)[/i] 

A person who distributes, sells or displays in public an obscene document, drawing or other objects shall be punished by imprisonment with work for not more than 2 years, a fine of not more than 2,500,000 yen or a petty fine. The same shall apply to a person who possesses the same for the purpose of sale. [/quote]

Contrary to popular beliefs, Article 175 [i]does not[/i] enforce the censorship of pornographic materials. Rather, it is the publisher of these pornographic material who "self-censored" their work as a form of loophole around Article 175, as this technically transformed the work into an "erotic" material by not fully showing the genitalia, which results into less restrictions from the law. This practice was first done by the Japanese [[pornography|pornographic]] aka the "Adult Video" (AV) industry in 1970s and has spread to other mediums.

Note that the law relates to distribution within Japan; it is not illegal for Japan-made porn intended [b]only[/b] for export to be uncensored.

Obscenity laws are gradually being relaxed, but not eliminated. [[Pubic hair]] is no longer required to be censored, for example. There are now attempts to repeal the Meiji-era/post-WW2 censorship law, though this has yet to reach deliberation.

h4. Types of censorship

* [[bar censor]]
* [[blank censor]]
* [[blur censor]]
* [[glitch censor]]
* [[heart censor]]
* [[light censor]]
* [[mosaic censoring]]
* [[scribble censor]]
* [[novelty censor]]
** [[character censor]]
* [[censored by text]]
* [[flower censor]]
* [[interface censor]]
* [[emoji censor]]

h6. Non-sexual censorship

* [[identity censor]]
* [[fake censor]]
** [[censored food]]
* [[censored text]]
* [[censored gesture]]
* [[censored violence]]

h4. See also

* [[convenient censoring]]
** [[hair censor]]
** [[tail censor]]
* [[out-of-frame censoring]]
* [[pointless censoring]]
* [[uncensored]]
* [[decensored]]
* [[Tag group:Censorship]]