🏮 II. The Culture of Yakuza

The Yakuza have deep roots in Japanese history. Their origins can be traced back to two of the lowest social groups in the Japanese cultural hierarchy: peddlers, who are known as Tekiya, and gamblers, who are called Bakuto. In the past, peddlers grouped together and formed organizations for selling merchandise. They pooled their money to rent space for stalls and hire security to protect their goods. The government recognized the Tekiya organizations and allowed their leaders, known as oyabun, to have a surname and carry a wakizashi — a short samurai sword.

The gamblers, on the other hand, were seen with disdain. They formed gambling houses in abandoned temples or shrines, created their own security details, and ran loan-sharking businesses. The dark image of the Yakuza primarily comes from the actions of these Bakuto. In fact, the name Yakuza itself comes from the losing hand in the game Oicho-Kabu, a form of blackjack played in these gambling establishments.

Although modern Yakuza have diversified beyond gambling and market stalls, some will still identify themselves as either “Bakuto” or “Tekiya.” Since the origin of the Yakuza is so complex—with one group recognized by past government decisions and the other seen with disdain—they are recognized as both a violent gang and a semi-legitimate business. Yakuza will buy stock on the market, have their own company buildings with their logo displayed on the front door, openly participate in festivals, and provide disaster relief and charitable donations to society. Yakuza even employ their own administrative assistants for bookkeeping and secretarial duties.

Nowadays, Yakuza are heavily involved in sex-related industries such as smuggling uncensored pornography, prostitution, and drug trafficking on a local and international level, as well as blackmail. Usually, the blackmail is in the form of obtaining incriminating or embarrassing information against a company or its leaders, and then extorting a protection fee for keeping that information secret. Yakuza also provide funding and venues for Japanese professional wrestling and mixed martial arts in exchange for raking in the profits of gate fees. There is also speculation that Yakuza have ties to the Japanese realty market and banking. Yakuza have been known to form organizations that convince small real estate owners to sell their property so bigger companies can develop the land. Some Yakuza have even bought large amounts of stock in legitimate businesses; however, as of 2008, all businesses with known Yakuza ties have been purged from the stock exchange.

Yakuza are not a hidden society. They are often distinguished by sunglasses and colorful suits. They walk with a wide gait unlike their fellow Japanese. However, they are also known to dress conservatively as well. Some Yakuza have full body tattoos done in the traditional manner of inserting ink beneath the skin with needles of bamboo or steel. This method of tattooing is painful, expensive, and can take years to complete. Most will hide these tattoos and only flash them when necessary.

Yakuza escape the scrutiny of the police because they primarily work by proxy. Merchandising, loan-sharking, and gambling houses are run by questionable individuals or gangs who pay a protection fee to the Yakuza. Yakuza prey on businesses that would be reluctant to turn to the police for help, such as those located in the red-light districts. Conversely, the Japanese police prefer not to interfere in internal matters of recognized communities such as shopping arcades (or mini-malls), schools and universities, night districts, and so on. It should also be noted that, culturally, Yakuza consider theft to be beneath them. That is the one act they will not commit.

Finally, Yakuza perform ritualistic yubitsume, which is the cutting off of one’s finger in apology or penance. On the first transgression, the tip of the left little finger is severed and presented to the oyabun. With each transgression, more fingers are cut, starting from the pinky to the thumb. This is reminiscent of the days when Yakuza were allowed to hold a short samurai sword: the more fingers are cut, the weaker the sword grasp. Nowadays, Yakuza may wear prosthetic fingers to replace the ones that were severed.

There are many families of Yakuza. If you are interested in reading about them, then please read the reference below. For the purposes of roleplay at Mugen Kuppuku, the information above is what you need to know to generally understand what a Yakuza is.

References: Yakuza — Wikipedia