Hello, my friends! I found an interesting article for you about how the Yakuza works, I advise you to read it, because this is the case when you can not cope with the mafia knowing almost everything about it.
A man with a traditional Japanese Irezumi tattoo at the Sanja Matsuri Festival in Tokyo
The Japanese mafia is one of the most "prosperous" in the world. The total number of Yakuza is from 80 to 110 thousand people, and the largest clan - Yamaguchi-Gumi is considered the richest criminal group on the planet. In 2015, its revenue was more than $ 80 billion.
The roots of the Japanese mafia go back to the Middle Ages. It is believed that the ancestors of the current Yakuza or, as they are also called, Borekudan (although they themselves do not like this nickname) were small street vendors — tekiya-and gambling enthusiasts-bakuto. The very word "yakuza" means the worst combination in the oite-kabu card game. Initially, the ancestors of Japanese mafiosi were considered outcasts, and therefore this nickname was fixed for them.
Men with a traditional Yakuza Irezumi tattoo at the Sanja Matsuri Festival in Tokyo
The Yakuza are known for their tradition of tattooing. Some mobsters have them covered almost all over their bodies. Borekudan tattoos have a hidden meaning. For example, the first one, as a rule, indicates the transition from the family of parents to a new family-Yakuza. It is not customary to show them - as a rule, members of clans prefer closed clothing. The only exception to seeing their tattoos to an outsider is the Shinto festival of Sanja Matsuri.
A man with a traditional Yakuza Irezumi tattoo at the Sanja Matsuri Festival in Tokyo
Another Yakuza "tradition" concerns punishments. For offenses before the mafia clan, the phalanges of the fingers are cut off — one for each significant offense, and the culprit must do it himself. When one finger is cut off to the end, it moves on to the next. This custom also came from the past: the fewer fingers a yakuza had, the harder it was to hold the sword, which meant that they were more dependent on the boss and clan's protection. Now it is rather symbolic.
A man with a traditional Yakuza Irezumi tattoo at the Sanja Matsuri Festival in Tokyo
The ties that bind members of the Yakuza clan are akin to family ties. The authority of the head of the community is unquestionable, and ordinary participants consider each other as brothers. The main figure in the hierarchy is the boss-oyabun. His right-hand man is saiko-komon (senior adviser). Also subordinate to oyabun are sanro-kai (a group of less powerful advisers), so-hombute (chief of staff), wakagashira, and shateigashira, who directly command the boss's errands: kyo-dai and shatei the older and younger "brothers".
A man with a traditional Yakuza Irezumi tattoo at the Sanja Matsuri Festival in Tokyo
As a rule, ordinary clan members rarely leave the territory under their control-only in case of receiving particularly profitable "orders" or for the purpose of war with competitors.
In total, there are more than 20 Yakuza clans operating in Japan. The largest are Yamaguchi-gumi, Sumiyoshi-kai and Inagawa-kai. Members of these clans make up about 70% of the Yakuza. In 2015, the largest Yamaguchi-Gumi group split. About three thousand people broke away from it.
A man with a traditional Yakuza Irezumi tattoo at the Sanja Matsuri Festival in Tokyo
The range of activities of the Yakuza is very extensive: prostitution, gambling, drugs, arms trafficking, smuggling. The mafia's position in the porn industry is also strong. At the same time, Borecudans seek to at least partially legalize their sources of income by investing in construction, the entertainment industry, stock trading and audit services. In 2013, several prominent Yakuza members were arrested for interfering with the Fukushima nuclear power plant restoration project because they were helping to find illegal labor.
In light of preparations for the 2020 Summer Olympics to be held in Tokyo, the Yakuza expect revenue growth - they own a significant share of construction companies in the country.
Men display traditional Yakuza Irezumi tattoos at the Sanja Matsuri Festival in Tokyo
The Japanese authorities are trying to fight the influence of the mafia, but it is too early to talk about a complete victory. The influence of the clans is too great, and sometimes there are articles in the press about the connections of certain members of the government with the Borekudan. The desire to legalize their activities helps the Yakuza in their confrontation with the authorities. The clans are no longer something of a secret the addresses of their headquarters can be found on the website of the National Police Agency of Japan.
A man with a traditional Japanese Irezumi tattoo at the Sanja Matsuri Festival in Tokyo
The Japanese mafia is one of the most "prosperous" in the world. The total number of Yakuza is from 80 to 110 thousand people, and the largest clan - Yamaguchi-Gumi is considered the richest criminal group on the planet. In 2015, its revenue was more than $ 80 billion.
The roots of the Japanese mafia go back to the Middle Ages. It is believed that the ancestors of the current Yakuza or, as they are also called, Borekudan (although they themselves do not like this nickname) were small street vendors — tekiya-and gambling enthusiasts-bakuto. The very word "yakuza" means the worst combination in the oite-kabu card game. Initially, the ancestors of Japanese mafiosi were considered outcasts, and therefore this nickname was fixed for them.
Men with a traditional Yakuza Irezumi tattoo at the Sanja Matsuri Festival in Tokyo
The Yakuza are known for their tradition of tattooing. Some mobsters have them covered almost all over their bodies. Borekudan tattoos have a hidden meaning. For example, the first one, as a rule, indicates the transition from the family of parents to a new family-Yakuza. It is not customary to show them - as a rule, members of clans prefer closed clothing. The only exception to seeing their tattoos to an outsider is the Shinto festival of Sanja Matsuri.
A man with a traditional Yakuza Irezumi tattoo at the Sanja Matsuri Festival in Tokyo
Another Yakuza "tradition" concerns punishments. For offenses before the mafia clan, the phalanges of the fingers are cut off — one for each significant offense, and the culprit must do it himself. When one finger is cut off to the end, it moves on to the next. This custom also came from the past: the fewer fingers a yakuza had, the harder it was to hold the sword, which meant that they were more dependent on the boss and clan's protection. Now it is rather symbolic.
A man with a traditional Yakuza Irezumi tattoo at the Sanja Matsuri Festival in Tokyo
The ties that bind members of the Yakuza clan are akin to family ties. The authority of the head of the community is unquestionable, and ordinary participants consider each other as brothers. The main figure in the hierarchy is the boss-oyabun. His right-hand man is saiko-komon (senior adviser). Also subordinate to oyabun are sanro-kai (a group of less powerful advisers), so-hombute (chief of staff), wakagashira, and shateigashira, who directly command the boss's errands: kyo-dai and shatei the older and younger "brothers".
A man with a traditional Yakuza Irezumi tattoo at the Sanja Matsuri Festival in Tokyo
As a rule, ordinary clan members rarely leave the territory under their control-only in case of receiving particularly profitable "orders" or for the purpose of war with competitors.
In total, there are more than 20 Yakuza clans operating in Japan. The largest are Yamaguchi-gumi, Sumiyoshi-kai and Inagawa-kai. Members of these clans make up about 70% of the Yakuza. In 2015, the largest Yamaguchi-Gumi group split. About three thousand people broke away from it.
A man with a traditional Yakuza Irezumi tattoo at the Sanja Matsuri Festival in Tokyo
The range of activities of the Yakuza is very extensive: prostitution, gambling, drugs, arms trafficking, smuggling. The mafia's position in the porn industry is also strong. At the same time, Borecudans seek to at least partially legalize their sources of income by investing in construction, the entertainment industry, stock trading and audit services. In 2013, several prominent Yakuza members were arrested for interfering with the Fukushima nuclear power plant restoration project because they were helping to find illegal labor.
In light of preparations for the 2020 Summer Olympics to be held in Tokyo, the Yakuza expect revenue growth - they own a significant share of construction companies in the country.
Men display traditional Yakuza Irezumi tattoos at the Sanja Matsuri Festival in Tokyo
The Japanese authorities are trying to fight the influence of the mafia, but it is too early to talk about a complete victory. The influence of the clans is too great, and sometimes there are articles in the press about the connections of certain members of the government with the Borekudan. The desire to legalize their activities helps the Yakuza in their confrontation with the authorities. The clans are no longer something of a secret the addresses of their headquarters can be found on the website of the National Police Agency of Japan.
