The Yakuza are a group of Japanese criminals who have their own set of rules and customs within their organizations that must be followed. To learn more about the customs and traditions of this group, stay with Saeed News.
Yakuza is the name of a group of Japanese criminals who have their own customs and rules within their organizations that must be followed. These groups are now scattered across the world and are also known as the "Japanese Mafia." Yakuza members engage in various illegal activities, with the most significant ones being drug trafficking, arms trade, and street fights. The number of known Yakuza members worldwide is estimated to be around 103,000. The world of Japanese criminals is an intriguing one, where 21 criminal groups are waiting to see which way the wind blows and which other groups they should cooperate with. The breakdown of the Yamaguchi-gumi group began in 1984 and led to several national assassinations, bombings, and shootings, which terrified the people of Japan.
㊙️ History of the Yakuza: The origins of the Yakuza date back to the 17th century. After the end of the civil war and the unification of Japan under Tokugawa Ieyasu in 1603, the economic and social policies of the Tokugawa shogunate largely laid the foundation for the emergence of this criminal society. During these years, policies such as the expulsion of foreigners, the suppression of Christianity, and the prohibition of travel abroad (under penalty of death) were implemented. As a result, about half a million samurai and military forces working on feudal landowners' estates were left unemployed and became ronin (masterless samurai). These individuals led tough, but free lives without the moral restrictions of the warrior class. This background of masterless samurai (ronin) and marginalized groups of gamblers, street vendors, and local criminals formed the basis of the small but organized Yakuza societies in 17th-century Japan.
㊙️ Yakuza Practices:
Finger Cutting: Historically, severe punishments were part of Yakuza culture. For example, if a member committed an error or wrong act, their little finger would be cut off and presented to the leader. This gesture was believed to cleanse the sin, allowing the person to continue their activities. However, as news of these rituals spread and to maintain secrecy, the punishment evolved. Nowadays, after the severed finger is presented to the leader, it is said to be reattached to the person's hand. The tradition of finger-cutting dates back to ancient times, with the belief that cutting off a finger would hinder a person’s ability to properly wield a sword. However, this penalty can only be used twice; the third mistake or betrayal results in death and confiscation of their belongings.
Tattooing (Irezumi): Irezumi is the tradition of full-body tattoos, symbolizing strength, bravery, and masculinity. In the 400-year-old Yakuza culture, tattoos are one of its most important characteristics. In Japan’s oldest historical records, tattoos were used as a form of punishment to mark criminals with crimes such as theft and threats. Over time, Yakuza members began tattooing their bodies to symbolize their illegal activities. Each tattoo tells a story, and even the colors used in the tattoos represent the person’s illicit activities.
Conclusion: Members of the Yakuza are often outcasts in traditional Japanese society: children of Japanese-Korean descent whose fathers or paternal ancestors were brought to Japan as slaves. The older generations of Yakuza were fond of tattoos, but since the police used them to identify Yakuza members, tattoos have become less common in the modern era. In the past, tattoos had three main characteristics: great pain (showing courage), a lot of money (since tattoos were expensive), and social ostracism (as tattoos symbolized being an outsider in society).
