Yakuza: The Japanese Mafia

 Yakuza: The Japanese Mafia is well known for their strict code of conduct. Even ritual practices such as the amputation of the little finger. A way Yakuza shows sincere apology and remorse after a dishonor to another member or even fails. The cutted finger is then given to his Boss. Yakuza usually cover their complete bodies with irezumi tattoos. A kind of tattoo made by hand using a bamboo nail and traditionally no electric nail. Most of the tattoos are in the ukiyo-e style of Japanese printed woodblocks. The name originates from the game Oicho Kabu. In the game a score of 8 – 9 – 3 (ya-ku-za) means that House wins all. The game could be played using the Hanafuda cards manufactured in the 19th century by Nintendo (take a look at them in the official Nintendo page).

 Yakuza reached their peak in the 60’s when all the Syndicates members combined consisted of almost two hundred thousands. Even today it is still legal to own a Yakuza membership just like a Club. But the anti-Yakuza laws passed by the Japanese Government had an impact on the Mafia. And by 2023 their total members combined were around twenty thousands.

Yakuza exposig his tattoos

Yakuza: The Origins in Edo Society

 Most traditional Yakuza come from Bakuto groups back in the Tokugawa Shogunate. Bakuto were families that organized gambling hubs and rose to power, earning fortunes as soon as the 18th century. Mostly playing card games. They were the ones introducing the tradition of the tattoos as well the cut of their fingers as a form of apology to the Boss. They used to lead the games with their shirts off to show no card hiding. This exposed their tattoos leading to today’s idea of a Yakuza member. These groups often ran loan sharking businesses for their clients. The name and the image of the Yakuza originate in the Bakuto gambling houses. And even these days a Yakuza whose primary source of income comes from gambling might refer to themselves as Bakuto.   

 These groups started to diversify their activities in the twentieth century. Sometimes even merging themselves into larger syndicates. Shimizu Jirocho was the most famous of all. Even romanticized today as a folk hero in Japan. He took part in the Boshin War and was part of the Meiji Government after the fall of tokugawa. More than a dozen films exposed his life as legend.

Yakuza with tattoos - ukiyo-e
A woodprint from Edo period showing a Yakuza member running to help his comrades in a fight with the police

Organization of the Syndicates

 Yakuza act themselves as a family. Most members usually cut ties with their biological family. Being most of them troubled youngsters they found an adoptive family in the Syndicates. A family that shares their lifestyle. The family is led by the oyabun, refered as Oyashi from FATHER in Japanese. And the older members are called Aniki, as big brother in Japanese. Most of the Syndicates are organized in a multi layered form. Being the leader called Kumichou. 

 After a decline in activities during WWII they were back to businesses in post war Japan. Even in the black market of rice after the war and the street stalls of Ramen back in the 50’s. But The Act of Prevention of Unjust Acts of 1991 prohibited twenty seven activities often used by the Yakuza to earn money. Making it illegal to collect money as a protection racket for example.

 More regulations came from the Anti Yakuza law from 2008. This makes it possible to put the responsibility of any member on a Boss. Leading to the incarcelation of the leaders of the Yamaguchi Gumi and Kudou Kai among others. But that was not the end of the war the Japanese Government declared on the Syndicates. The Yakuza Exclusions Ordinances of 2009 prosecute businesses owners and civilians for benefit from Yakuza offers. 

Once upon a time in Japan

 Today the Yakuza is something of the past. Even when the families are still in business most Japanese are not seeing them as a tradition from the Edo period. These days the Police have asked to stop the use of the term Yakuza in the media. The News call them Bouryokudan or Violent groups. In order to limit the romanticized idea of the Yakuza seen in movies, anime and other media with influence among youngsters. This is why the popular game Yakuza by Sega never had that name in Japan, where it is known as Ryu Ga Gotoku. Or games such as AI Somnium Files have a Yakuza Boss in the story but still never use this word to refer to him in the Japanese script. 

 The Yakuza continues to attract members from scorned minority groups. And despite their status sometimes are perceived as a positive actor in society. After the Kobe Earthquake of 1995 the Yamaguchi Gumi provided disaster relief even before the Government response. Something that was portrayed in the media. And following the Tohoku Tsunami of 2011 various Syndicates sent trucks filled with food and sanitary accessories into the affected areas. Maybe not as popular or charismatic as before, but still one out of ten Japanese believes that Yakuza should continue to exist. 

Yakuza members in the Tokyo Sanja Matsuri