The history of the Japanese Yakuza mafia. Legendary Japanese Mafia: Yakuza


The game series has been bringing current events from the political and criminal world of Japan to our TV screens for a very long time and in sufficient detail. We tried to figure out how much the virtual world and everyday reality intersect, and where the bitter truth or embellished mythology is hidden behind a beautiful picture. But first we need to understand where the roots of the Japanese mafia come from and how it influences the culture, politics and entertainment industry of modern Japan.

According to popular legend, the name of the organization originates from a popular card game oichokabu, which was usually played with a set of special flower cards ().

Nowadays, ordinary European cards are increasingly used, in which Kings, Queens, Jokers are thrown out of the deck, and the number of Aces is reduced to one. Since according to the rules the numbers in this game were added to each other, the worst combination was “8-9-3” or yattsu-ku-san. That is, a player with this situation received zero points (8 + 9 + 3 = 20 = 0) and always lost. Later, the phrase yattsu-ku-san came to mean idle people who wasted their lives playing cards or simply gamblers. It is not surprising that the gaming business is still one of the most profitable for the modern yakuza. Lovers of throwing dice and cards, among other things, were also noble horse thieves. Later, they formed groups and began offering protection to peasants and merchant associations from bandits. Sometimes such gangs were joined or led by ronins - samurai left without a master. Ronin had enormous influence in small towns, becoming their protectors machi-yakko(literally servants of the city) and sometimes received the status hamamato-yakko(servants of the shogun). Feudal lords increasingly negotiated semi-legal services with organized criminal groups. The medieval yakuza supplied labor for construction projects or quelled peasant uprisings. In 1800, gaming syndicates assisted authorities in military operations both domestically and internationally. Later they united with the nationalists and became a serious political force. Even now, in modern Japan, the Yakuza are closely associated with the 100,000-strong wing of far-right nationalists, who advocate the return of the northern territories (Sakhalin and the Kuril Islands) and the reduction of the American presence in the region. Often nationalists do work for yakuza groups or are an active part of them. There's a great documentary about this from VICE.

For a long time, the police cooperated and benefited from working with crime syndicates until they decided to destroy them in 1912. It is noteworthy that all attempts to destroy or reduce the influence of the yakuza then or years later led to serious economic problems and an internal political crisis in the country, since criminal groups, business and politics are too complexly intertwined even in modern Japanese society. In the twenties of the 20th century, the Yakuza as an organization began to resemble its modern self, emerging as a serious force that showed itself even more actively after Second World War. It was then that disparate groups united for the first time, taking on the functions of the police. They brought order to the streets, invested in companies, imported scarce goods into the country, and helped the poor with medicines and provisions. At the same time, the entire Japanese economy was divided between two dozen families who invested in each other's enterprises. It is quite natural that among the shadow association there were also members of the Yakuza. By the way, this cross-investment system still works today, so that, for example, some Japanese companies almost always support others, actually sharing financial problems and not competing with each other. In other words, if the economic situation were such that Nintendo would be forced to leave the gaming business, then Sony would keep her afloat and vice versa.

Returning to the post-war period, I would like to note that it was then that the image of the yakuza was formed as ninkyo dantai or a knightly organization that helps people in times of disaster, protects ordinary people and is ready to sacrifice themselves for a higher purpose. For example, among the 50 heroes of Fukushima who gave up their lives for the common good during repairs at a nuclear power plant, five people were active members of the yakuza. The Yakuza also often comes to the aid of disaster victims before the authorities do. When cell phone service stopped working during the 2011 tsunami, families quickly organized a system of runners who quickly reported information about needed food and medicine to the central office. In Ishinomaki, one of Japan's hardest hit cities, local gangsters gave survivors envelopes containing 30,000 yen in first aid.

In the game series, all the lieutenants of the rival clans for the most part adhere to the principle ninkyo dantai. Be it Kazuma Kiryu, which supports an orphanage in Okinawa or Majima Goro And Daigo Dojima that provide support to ordinary people. By the way, the story with Okinawa from the third part of Yakuza had a very real basis and, according to current family members, one of the high-ranking members of the organization actually runs an orphanage in Okinawa, though mostly to evade taxes. As for the plot part with the government and CIA land fraud, with the exception of the CIA, all the events told in the third part of the story related to Okinawa and the land grab actually took place in reality, as well as the struggle of local clans for power and the attempt to split large syndicate. It is also noteworthy that in history there are examples when cruel family bosses retire, transferring affairs to their followers, and they themselves become Buddhist monks, repenting of their sins and making donations in order to receive forgiveness and live happily in a monastery.

Representatives of the organization also like to discuss the concept Ninjo, which in a nutshell is to protect ordinary people. The Yakuza fights the spread of drugs on its territory, catches and surrenders street thieves, and tries not to use methods of direct violence against ordinary residents who owe them money. The image of the organization is very important to its bosses, which is why most families are completely legal. You can find addresses of large Yakuza organizations with telephone numbers and offices in open directories; most groups have their own emblems, clubs and websites. This is clearly visible in the series, where you come to the leader of the clan, who is in a large office with expensive decorations and security.

The Yakuza is open to communication and often invests in legal projects, supporting young businessmen. Many shops pay for yakuza protection, and this deters petty street thieves and gangsters. The yakuza often cooperates with the police, solving a particular problem or turning over the leaders of lower members of the group for crimes, who come to the police with voluntary repentance. Members of the cell who are willing to serve time in prison for the sake of their family or a higher lieutenant are honored and respected in the clan and receive special status in prison, where the police turn a blind eye to many of their actions. This is again well demonstrated in and. Especially in the fifth part, where a respectable policeman helps the lieutenant of the Tojo clan Taige escape from prison, guided by conscience and honor, just like the Yakuza lieutenant himself, who went to prison for the sake of his brothers and the well-being of his entire family.

^ girlfriends and wives of Yakuza representatives also like to get tattoos

The structure of the Yakuza involves a rigid, almost military system of subordination. The head of the clan-family is the father ( oyabun), his children obey him ( kobun), who are brothers among themselves ( kyōdai). The initiation ritual involves ritually drinking sake, with the new member of the group drinking a few sips and the father drinking almost a full bottle. This symbolizes inequality in the family and recognition of the authority of the father. Often the yakuza hires teenage hooligans for a probationary period, who, upon reaching the age of 20, can return to normal life or join their family. If they choose a peaceful life, they must go to the police station and apologize to the police. After the coming of age ceremony Hatachi they may change their mind and join the family, sharing ceremonial sake with the boss.

Exit from the group used to be exclusively through the ritual of cutting off the phalanx of the little finger ( yubitsume), which again refers to the times of the samurai, where a person without part of his little finger could no longer wield a sword normally and became helpless on the battlefield. Nowadays, instead of self-harm, they prefer to pay a certain financial amount or a person is expelled from the organization by decision of the boss - time for business and money. In the game series, one of the heroes, representing the old school of the yakuza, offered another to make a ritual gesture to atone for his sins, but he pointedly refused, offering to pay off with money. Another old-school character, on the contrary, agreed to the bloody ritual. This is how the old and new schools of the yakuza are demonstrated.

The structure of the modern organization is built on the feudal type of family, where the orders of superior members are not discussed and, if necessary, one of the clan members can take on someone else’s guilt or kill the enemy on the first order. True, in many families, this system corrupts, and lower family members are forced to run for cigarettes, change ashtrays, refill wine and perform other functions of service personnel without the possibility of growth. The elements of this structure are shown in connection with the samurai customs of combat, the heirs of which the members of the criminal association consider themselves to be. That is why in the game clan bosses solve their problems in fist fights. In real life, fathers prefer financial deals that are beneficial to each other to fighting - no one fights with anyone.

True, sometimes violence does spill onto the streets. So during the showdown between and Sumiyoshi-kai in 2007, the 79-year-old boss of the latter was killed. And five years earlier, Sumiyoshi-kai rammed the walls of the official Yamaguchi-gumi office with an 11-ton truck. Several yakuza from the Yamaguchi-gumi family were then injured. In general, the confrontation between these two clans is shown in the game series as a struggle between families and Alliance Oni. The Yamaguchi-gumi represent the noble Tojo, while the Sumiyoshi-kai represent the aggressive Oni Alliance. The fight between the groups in real life takes place for the sake of three entertainment districts Tokyo: Ginza, Asakusa And Kabukicho. The latter is recreated one to one with the same establishments, entertainment centers, hostess clubs, massage parlors and a cinema in the game world as Kamurocho.

Many clans introduce a mandatory examination system for their members, so in 2009 the Yamaguchi-gumi forced their brothers to pass a 12-page test on their knowledge of the laws and restrictions of the law against the yakuza.

Returning to the Yakuza hierarchy, it is worth noting that at the bottom of the chain of brothers are street thugs and low-level gangsters, called chinpira, and we will return to them in connection with the main character of the Yakuza series Kazuma Kiryu a little later. In the game they try to attack you and punish you for being on their territory. And although their manner of speaking, swearing and facial expressions correspond to real Japanese punks, Japanese bandits prefer not to attack people on the streets. They specialize more in debt collection and car scams (you scratched our car, so pay the money), which are quite popular on our Russian roads.

In the late 90s, as a result of the unification of several clans, the current yakuza system was formed, headed by a group. In 2005, a Tokyo family Kokusui-kai joined the Yamaguchi-gumi, making it the largest yakuza family, holding 45% of all members of the organization in Japan. Currently, the total number of active members of the criminal organization is 58,600 people, which is 5 thousand less than in 2012. In addition, Yamaken-gumi, whose head office is located in Kobe, suffered a split and 17 clans out of 70 left the family, which weakened the influence of the family. Apparently, the upcoming one will be partially dedicated to these events. It is worth noting that these are official data. Unofficially, these numbers are supplemented by a 100,000-strong far-right wing, as well as at least 60% of the Japanese Self-Defense Forces, or Jieitai, which is largely made up of secret members of the organization.

In fact, all activities of an organization are divided into three types. The first is Bakuto or the sphere of gambling entertainment. Here the yakuza controls numerous salons Pachinko, arcade centers, betting shops, construction companies and show business.

Representatives of this wing actively promote numerous idols, hiding under the guise of respectable production centers. You meet the leader of a family from Osaka who is trying to help Haruka and other heroes achieve success, and at the same time promotes their group T-Set.

Pachinko is semi-legal and you can't win money, so tokens are exchanged for all sorts of jewelry and nonsense, but few people know that the same tokens and strange gifts can be exchanged for expensive jewelry and money in gray exchange centers where kind members of the Yakuza will guide you. There is a tribute to this tradition in the series Pokemon with their Pokemon centers where you get your prizes. The betting story is again beautifully illustrated in , where a complex baseball betting scheme brings together key characters. In addition to baseball, the yakuza controls sumo matches, golf, wrestling and other sports.

The construction business was actively shown in the first three parts, but in reality it was the syndicates that helped the government buy land from small owners for the 1964 Olympics, in order to later build them up with the necessary facilities. Now the government is once again informally recruiting families to clear areas for the 2020 Olympic Games.

The second type of business is Takya or holding fairs and festivals. Yakuza members hold charity auctions and give gifts and money to children. For example, family Yamaken-gumi annually holds Christmas festivals where it gives envelopes with money to children and adults from low-income families otoshidama(10 thousand yen each), clothes and toys.

Ordinary clan members and their bosses dress up in carnival costumes and become animators. They also make rice cakes. mochi, fried noodles yakisoba and octopus dough balls takoyaki. Such holidays take place from 9 am to 1 am and have a positive effect on the image of the family. Last year, the annual Halloween celebration was canceled due to the danger of a stampede - Yamaken-gumi members apologized to the city residents and promised to hold the festival on a special scale in 2016. In addition, Yakuza members enjoy celebrating various religious holidays, such as last year in Asakusa. Notice how ordinary people react to the performance and how the Yakuza pick up the pieces of a newly broken bottle.

They also help the homeless with work or food. True, evil tongues claim that homeless people are often deceived, and they sort toxic waste for big money or participate in rescue operations in Fukushima, bringing money to the clan.

The third type of business is Gurentai or all possible shadow business. These are numerous porn shops, underground massage parlors, image and pink rooms, soaplands, drug sales, debt collection and other purely criminal business. Representatives of the first and last types of yakuza are often recruited by the authorities to disperse demonstrations, anti-war and anti-American campaigns and intimidate trade unionists. Many families distance themselves from the last type of income, such as family Yamaken-gumi, which has set as its goal the complete elimination of drugs in Japan and calls its main activities only festivals, show business and legal gaming business.

Tattoos and clan logos are one of the main distinguishing signs of belonging to a particular family. All lieutenants and ordinary members of the syndicate wear cufflinks or badges with the clan logo. The clans of real active families look like this:

And here is the clan from:

There are similarities, aren't there?

Tattoos are no longer as popular among younger members of groups, who prefer a subtle mark or no tattoo at all. But among the old school Yakuza, tattoos have always occupied one of the most important places as a demonstration of strength and endurance. The fact is that traditionally tattoos on almost the entire body were chosen by a tattoo artist for each family member. And then I applied the drawing according to the old system Tebori, where bright and very poisonous paints are used, and the tattoo itself is applied in a long and painful way using a bamboo stick and sharp blades. Such tattoos do not fade, but it takes up to 300 hours to create a beautiful design on the back. Such tattoos are applied in fragments once a week in sessions of 2-3 hours. The cost of an hour of work by a master is 10 thousand Yen (7 thousand rubles). Accordingly, the entire tattoo takes several years and 3 million Yen ( about 2.5 million rubles).

In addition to the fact that it is expensive, the process itself is very painful, so out of 10 people, only less than half complete their drawing. Advantages Tebori The problem is that tattoos are very bright and do not fade due to the depth of penetration. As for the drawings themselves, they contain Chinese or Japanese symbolism. For example, a carp can be combined with a dragon, since according to mythology, swimming along the yellow river turns it into this mythical creature. Sakura flowers symbolize the transience and beauty of bandit life and are common among the clan's fighting unit. The tiger and dragon balance each other, like Yin and Yang in the Chinese tradition. Images of demons on the back ward off evil and protect the owner from death. Almost all tattoos have the master's mark, which confirms the quality of the product. In the series, all tattoos correspond to the characters’ characters and are made in the Yakuza tradition. You can even find the marks of the master on them, who made them based on his real works for real family members.

It is worth noting that in traditional tattoos a special space is left on the front of the chest and there are two reasons for this. The first is that when wearing a traditional kimano it does not reveal a family member in any way, and secondly, since the paints are toxic, if you do not leave a piece of leather so that it can breathe, then problems with the liver arise. Plus, due to an active public campaign against the yakuza, family members are prohibited from accessing public baths ( Onsen), beaches and even hotels. Moreover, sometimes showing a tattoo can result in a prison sentence. You can learn more about tattoos and the yakuza from this report:

The external style of family members is quite conservative. These are always expensive suits and small badges with the clan emblem.

Street thugs or chinpira They prefer red shirts with high collars and light suits. This is what the main character of Yakuza looks like Kazuma Kiryu, which was noticed by current members of one of the families while playing the game. You can read material about how they played.

It's really strange that one of the top yakuza dresses like a street thug. Apparently, she realized this problem herself. Yakuza Team, changing Kazuma into a jacket and T-shirt in the sixth part of the game.

We will talk about other aspects of the underground and ordinary world of Japan in the game, including massage parlors, shops, arcade machines, hostess clubs and restaurants in the second part of the material. In the meantime, you can enjoy an interesting report about the yakuza on the Russia TV channel.

Editing - ACE, Shibito.

Surely each of you has heard the word “Yakuza” at least once in your life. Many believe that this large criminal group existed once in the past, but members of the Yakuza not only exist today, but also terrorize people around the world. Be prepared for anything because in our list today we will tell you about little known facts about the Yakuza.

This huge network of organized crime syndicates originated in Japan, and most of its members are still active in this eastern country. The Yakuza is perhaps the most famous and largest mafia in the world, but in fact, few people know what exactly it is, when it was formed, how it is divided into syndicates and what activities it is involved in.

Since this underworld of Japan is also surrounded by numerous myths and legends, we decided to find out a little more about them by compiling this list of 25 little-known facts about the yakuza.

And while most people associate the word "Yakuza" only with crime, deadly struggles between cliques, brutal vendettas and other violent acts, did you know that the Yakuza also take part in charity, providing financial assistance to people affected by devastating natural disasters ? Or do you know what yakuza and sumo wrestlers might have in common? Have you heard about their terrible rituals like cutting off fingers? You will learn about this and much more in the coming minutes.

25. The exact origins of the Yakuza are still unclear, but it is believed that the laws, traditions and structure of the Yakuza originated in the Edo period (1603-1868), and the ancestors were two groups that appeared in the 17th century: the Tekiya ( engaged mainly in petty crime, fraud, theft and trade in low-quality goods) and "bakuto" (engaged in the organization of gambling).


24. There are currently more than 58,000 active Yakuza members in Japan and more than 102,000 worldwide, making it the largest organized crime group (OCG) in the world.


23. The Yakuza consists of three powerful syndicates, the largest of which is the Yamaguchi-gumi, with more than 55,000 members and 850 factions.

The Yamaguchi-gumi syndicate operates throughout the world and is even the subject of sanctions by the US government, which took this measure as a force in the fight against organized crime.


22. The Japanese police, as well as the media, at the request of law enforcement agencies, call the yakuza "boryokudan" ("boryokudan"), which means "power groups", while the members of the yakuza themselves call themselves "ninkyo dantai" ), which means "knightly organization".


21. The Yakuza consists almost exclusively of men - very few women are involved in the activities of the Japanese mafia, whom the clans call “onesan”, which means “elder sister”.


20. Sumo and yakuza have long been linked to each other. Sumo wrestlers who have not had success in the field of this type of martial arts often become Yakuza enforcers (members of a criminal gang who force the victim to carry out the will of the gang leader or carry out sentences - in our opinion, “sixes”, “thugs”), and some even become faction bosses.


20. Yakuza members are known for their full body tattoos. Known in Japan as irezumi, these tattoos are still often done by hand, meaning the ink is injected under the skin using steel or bamboo needles rather than electric instruments. This is a very expensive and painful procedure, and it may take more than one year to complete the entire drawing.


18. The Yakuza also operates in the USA. Members of the Japanese Mafia are known to operate in Los Angeles, Chicago, Las Vegas, Seattle, New York, Virginia and Arizona, but their activities are mainly concentrated in Hawaii, which serves as a transit station between Japan and mainland America and used for smuggling drugs and weapons.


17. The Yakuza has always been involved in Japanese politics. A considerable number of high-ranking politicians, including ministers and even prime ministers, were convicted of having connections with the Japanese mafia.


16. The Yakuza has several unusual rituals. For example, "yubitsume" - cutting off the phalanx of the little finger of the left hand as atonement for an offense. The origin of this ritual is related to the traditional way of holding a Japanese sword. A strong grip is provided by the lower three fingers (middle, ring and little fingers), so removing the phalanges of these fingers weakens a person's hand, making him unable to fight, much less defend himself. That is, this ritual forces him to become more dependent on the group, relying on its protection, thereby reducing his individual activity.


15. After World War II, the number of Yakuza members increased to 184,000 people (the largest number ever recorded). For the American troops occupying Japan after the war, the yakuza were the biggest threat.


14. According to the US Federal Treasury, the Yamaguchi-gumi's wealth is estimated at $80 billion, making the Japanese mafia one of the richest organized crime groups in the world.


13. In 2013, the Yamaguchi-gumi syndicate began publishing its own magazine called “Yamaguchi-gumi Shinpo.” The “corporate” magazine of the yakuza, among other things, published satirical haiku, articles about fishing, and appeals to its readers to do their job well. The magazine was not available to the general public - it was distributed only to members of the syndicate in an attempt to boost morale amid the tightening of crime laws and to unite members of the organization during this difficult time.


12. One of the activities of the yakuza is a unique Japanese form of extortion known as sokaiya, a specialized form of protection against racketeering.

Instead of bullying small businesses, the yakuza are infiltrating the shareholders of large corporations. They simply intimidate ordinary shareholders with their "thugs", gaining the right to attend the meeting after acquiring a small block of shares.


11. The Yakuza are also involved in helping people affected by natural disasters. They help after major earthquakes and tsunamis, such as in Tohoku in 2011 and Kobe in 1995. Such actions on the part of the Yakuza are a result of the fact that they know very well what it is like to struggle for existence, because they are also considered outcasts and outcasts of society.


10. The main character of the British cartoon "Bob the Builder" in the Japanese version has five fingers instead of four. Local authorities decided to “attach” extra fingers to him so that Japanese children would not think that he was a member of the yakuza.


9. The intricately tattooed skin of Yakuza members is sometimes torn off their corpses and sold on the black market, after which they are displayed in galleries.


8. To become a member of the Yamaguchi-gumi syndicate, you must pass a written exam that will determine the practical skills and knowledge of a potential member.


7. The word "yakuza" can be divided into three: "ya", "ku", "za", which means three numbers: 8, 9, 3, which are considered the worst combination that can only come across in the game "Oicho- Kabu (Oicho-Kabu), a traditional Japanese card game similar to Baccarat.


6. The traditional Japanese sword, the katana, which was originally used by samurai, still plays an important role in the world of the yakuza. Many people, including some prominent politicians and businessmen, were killed by the Yakuza sword. As happened, for example, in 1994 with Fujifilm vice-president Juntaro Suzuki, who was killed with a katana sword after he refused to pay a bribe.


5. Yakuza recruits must obey more experienced members of the Japanese mafia. The initiation ritual for a new recruit is a sake ceremony known as sakazukigoto. During the ceremony, the newcomer exchanges a bowl of sake with his “boss” (oyabun).


4. After Yoshio Kodama united the Japanese mafia factions, he became the first godfather of the yakuza. Kodama was involved in a large number of scandals, including the Lockheed scandal, because of which he became the target of an assassination attempt. Japanese film actor Mitsuyasu Maeno tried to attack his house with a plane, kamikaze style, but the attempt failed.


3. There are significant differences in the activities of the Yakuza clans. Many syndicates, such as the Yamaguchi-gumi, officially prohibit their members from engaging in drug trafficking, while others, such as the Dojin-kai, actively engage in drug trafficking.


2. When the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) game console went on sale in Japan in 1990, the government ordered them to be transported at night to reduce the risk of potential robbery by the yakuza, as they considered them a valuable commodity.


1. The Yakuza are sometimes considered the true heirs of the Samurai. Both had a strict hierarchical system based on respect and submission. Both consider violence an effective method to achieve a goal. Both have a highly developed sense of pride and reverence for traditions.

And their inner life is governed by various codes of conduct. There are such groups on almost all Japanese islands, as well as in some places outside Japan. In conversations yakuza They use a special jargon and these days they usually pass themselves off as businessmen. Since 1993, the authorities' attitude towards the yakuza has become much harsher, which was provoked by a highly publicized attack on film director Juzo Itami by members of the Goto clan. (Japanese: 後藤組 goto:-gumi) . Now even belonging to gumi(gang yakuza) is criminally punishable, which increasingly forces modern yakuza to transition to an illegal situation. As a result, relations became strained yakuza with the police (these relations, due to the history of the formation of the phenomenon yakuza were not always bad) and their public authority fell.

Central figure in the hierarchy yakuza is oyabun (Japanese: 親分, "chief"), which roughly corresponds to the Russian thief in law. Sometimes as a synonym for oyabuna address is used kumicho(lit. “senior chief”).

Yakuza gangs are usually made up of senior gang leaders shatei(“younger brothers”), junior foremen wakashu(“youths”) and simple yakuza.

Story

The term "yakuza" comes from a Japanese card game. ohyo-kabu (Japanese: おいちょかぶ), which is played with cards hanafuda And kabufuda, and means “worthless.” Just like in the game of baccarat, the card values ​​are added together and the last digit of the sum is considered the number of points. The worst combination of cards in the game: eight, nine and three, which gives a total of 20 and 0 points. In the traditional Japanese form of counting, these numbers are called "ya", "ku" and "sa" respectively, which is where the word "yakuza" comes from. Yakuza took this name for themselves, since the player who has such a trick in his hands must have the greatest skill and, obviously, great luck in order to win (since the trick is the worst that can be obtained, only a perfect master is able to overcome his bad luck and win). The name was thus used to denote the endurance of a person.

In modern Japanese, "eight-nine-three" is pronounced " hachi-kyu-san", sometimes that's what they call it yakuza Now.

IN Edo period gangs yakuza consisted almost without exception of people of “low origin”, mainly from the merchant class, as well as peasants and artisans. Has a person lost all his property as a result of a loss, natural disaster or looting? Ronin, whether he was fleeing from riots or criminal prosecution without means of subsistence to an unfamiliar city - he had no choice but to turn to yakuza. They gave him shelter and work. Often volunteers were also attracted by the desire to find refuge in a “family” or by a passion for adventure and the hope of recognition and respect among the rural population.

On the contrary, at that time only members of the samurai caste came to the police, who, due to the so-called “Tokugawa peace,” could not find any military occupation and therefore took up the protection of public order. Thus, relations between both were often quite tense and bushi called in ridicule yakuza"upstarts into samurai without reverence Bushido" However, this did not always lead to a collision; Besides, gumi(gangs) varied greatly in their radicalism in different places, so sometimes there was some cooperation between the police and yakuza regarding public policy. Currently it is considered yakuza heirs of samurai traditions. The members of the gangs themselves share this point of view, not least citing discipline, the hierarchy of their structure and the specific “code of honor” that is observed.

Tekiya and Bakuto

The origins of most modern gangs can be traced more directly yakuza from two groups that emerged in the 18th century: tekiya(peddlers) and bakuto(players). The roots of this origin can be found in modern initiation ceremonies yakuza which include rituals like tekiya, so bakuto.

Modernity

Modern yakuza expanded their interests to influence financial markets and political corruption. They also try to influence political elections, while candidates are supported financially or through “services”, with the expectation of post-election blackmail. Along with the yakuza They are also engaged in traditional mafia activities - drug trafficking, control of prostitution, human trafficking, illegal gambling, pachinko, “protection protection” (which, for example, is hidden by many restaurants under the item of expenses for washing napkins). One of the most profitable traditional areas of business activity yakuza real estate transactions and construction are considered. Also quite popular is blackmailing top management of corporations with compromising commercial information or threats related to disrupting shareholder meetings or manipulating stock prices. This is done by the so-called “sokaya”, corporate blackmailers.

Clan headquarters yakuza, decorated with neon emblems, are located in prestigious business districts of Japanese cities; the police usually do not interfere with their activities. According to unwritten rules yakuza, an individual member of a gang accused of committing a crime accepts personal responsibility for what was committed and thereby does not provide a legal reason to accuse their leaders of criminal activity. The complex interplay between the yakuza, government officials and police allows yakuza to feel yourself confident. Members of the groups have distinctive branded emblems sewn onto their clothes, which they openly display.

Signs and rituals

Yakuza For centuries, people have been using extensive tattoos as a sign of belonging to a group, as well as to indicate their position in the group. In addition, upon joining yakuza peasants and artisans received new, militant-sounding names, such as Tiger and crane, Nine dragons, Roaring Storm etc., which were then applied in the form of paintings on the back or chest. All this was often complemented by artistic excesses and often the entire body was covered with patterns up to the head, hands and feet, as well as the genital area (such a tattoo done “in color” is called irezumi). To this day, tattoos are associated in Japan with yakuza, moreover, people with tattoos are often prohibited from entering public bathing places. Actually tattooed yakuza has long turned into a stamp of public consciousness, which has little in common with reality, because after the official ban yakuza none of them tries to attract the attention of others.

In case of committing yakuza mistake that led to the “loss of face”, he is obliged to atone for it, while he cuts off the phalanx of his finger with the help of tanto and a hammer. As a rule, they start with the first phalanx of the little finger of the left hand. This ritual dates back to the times when the sword was vital. With each lost phalanx, sword control became worse, and so on until, finally, it became completely impossible to control the sword. The old ones yakuza Often some phalanges of the fingers are missing, which they hide with the help of prostheses, so as not to give away their affiliation with the criminal world.

A much more radical form of retribution is seppuku, ritual suicide by cutting open the abdomen. It was popular among samurai and soldiers as a punishment for misdeeds, sometimes it was also carried out yakuza.

Yakuza in culture

Like many other ethnic criminal groups, the image of the yakuza is popular in modern popular culture. So in Japan and in the world a series of films about the yakuza with the famous Japanese actor Takeshi Kitano is very famous - Brother of the Yakuza and others. Also, the issue of the Yakuza was considered in many famous action films such as: War, Kill Bill and Fast and Furious: Tokyo Drift. The image of the yakuza is also very popular in computer games, mainly Japanese and American. So in the games Tekken (parts 1, 2 and 6) and Yakuza, the main characters are the yakuza. Such games usually play out the problem of family relationships in clans and the choice between good and evil of the main characters.

The symbol number of the Japanese crime clans is the Yakuza (Japanese “yakusa” from the Chinese “bajusan”).

Links

  • YAKUZA // Japan from A to Z. Popular illustrated encyclopedia. (CD-ROM). - M.: Directmedia Publishing, “Japan Today”, 2008. - ISBN 978-5-94865-190-3
  • Mafia shares are in price again Article: Japanese gangsters have entered the financial markets of the Land of the Rising Sun.

Wikimedia Foundation.

2010.:

The Japanese mafia is one of the most “prosperous” in the world. The total number of Yakuza ranges from 80 to 110 thousand people, and the largest clan, the Yamaguchi-gumi, is considered the richest criminal group on the planet. In 2015, its revenue was more than $80 billion.

MOSCOW, September 2 – RIA Novosti, David Narmania. 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 traders - tekiya - and gambling enthusiasts - bakuto. The word "yakuza" itself means the worst combination in the card game oyte-kabu. Initially, the ancestors of Japanese mafiosi were considered outcasts, and therefore this nickname was assigned to them.

The Yakuza are known for their tradition of tattooing. Some mafiosi have almost their entire body covered with them. Borekudan tattoos have a hidden meaning from outsiders. For example, the first, as a rule, signifies a transition from the parents' family to a new family - the yakuza. It is not customary to show them off - as a rule, clan members prefer closed clothes. The only exception where their tattoos can be seen by an outsider is during the Shinto festival of Sanja Matsuri.

Another Yakuza "tradition" concerns punishment. For offenses against the mafia clan, phalanges of fingers are cut off - one for each significant offense, and this must be done by the culprit himself. When one finger is completely cut off, he moves on to the next. This custom also came from the past: the fewer fingers a yakuza had, the more difficult it was for him to hold a sword, which means his dependence on the protection of his boss and clan grew. Now it has more of a symbolic meaning.

The ties that bind members of the Yakuza clan are akin to family. The authority of the head of the community is indisputable, and ordinary participants consider each other brothers. The main figure in the hierarchy is the boss - oyabun. His right hand is considered to be the saiko-komon (senior advisor). Also subordinate to the oyabun are the sanro-kai (a group of less influential advisers), so-hombute (chief of staff), wakagashira and shateigashira, who command directly the executors of the boss’s orders: ke-dai and shatei - the older and younger “brothers”. Saiko-komon is responsible for the administrative component of affairs - kaikei accountants and shingiin legal consultants are subordinate to him.

As a rule, ordinary clan members rarely leave the territory under their control - only if they receive particularly profitable “orders” or for the purpose of war with competitors.

In total, there are more than 20 yakuza clans in Japan. The largest are considered to be Yamaguchi-gumi, Sumiyoshi-kai and Inagawa-kai. Members of these clans make up about 70% of the yakuza. In 2015, the largest group, the Yamaguchi-gumi, split. About three thousand people broke away from it.

The range of Yakuza activities is very wide: prostitution, gambling, drugs, arms trafficking, smuggling. The position of the mafia is also strong in the porn industry. At the same time, borekudan strive to at least partially legalize the sources of their income by investing in construction, the entertainment industry, stock trading and auditing services. In 2013, several prominent members of the yakuza were arrested for interfering with the restoration of the Fukushima nuclear power plant by helping to find illegal labor.

In light of preparations for the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, the yakuza are expecting an increase in income - they own a significant share of construction companies in the country.

The Japanese authorities are trying to fight the influence of the mafia, but it is too early to talk about complete victory. The influence of the clans is too great, and sometimes materials appear in the press about the connections of certain government members with the Borekudan. The desire to legalize their activities helps the yakuza in their confrontation with the authorities. The clans are no longer something secret - the addresses of their headquarters can be found on the website of the National Police Agency of Japan.

Yakuza

Japan from A to Z. Encyclopedia.

2010.:

EdwART.

    2009. See what "Yakuza" is in other dictionaries: YAKUZA

    is the most common form of organized crime in Japan. Control over legal and illegal gambling continues to be one of the most important sources of their income in modern Japan. In the first half of the 20th century. yakuza... ... Legal encyclopedia

    - “The Yakuza” USA, 1974, 112 min. Thriller, adventure film. Harry Kilmer, a former soldier and now a private detective, returns to Japan, where he spent several years in the 50s. He wants to help his friend, shipowner George... Encyclopedia of Cinema

    YAKUZA, YAKUZA [jap. “scoundrel, slacker”] in Japan: hooligan, bandit, GANGSTER. Dictionary of foreign words. Komlev N.G., 2006. yakuza, yakuza (Japanese scoundrel, slacker) in Japan: hooligan, bandit, gangster. New dictionary of foreign words. by EdwART… Dictionary of foreign words of the Russian language

    The streets of Tokyo are a popular gathering place for modern yakuza. This term has other meanings, see Yakuza (meanings). Yakuza (Japanese... Wikipedia

    yakuza- Japanese a) Japanese organized crime, Japanese mafia; b) a member of such a group (from the Japanese card game Oicho Kabu) shin. yakuza, gokudo, hachi kyu san see also gumi, oyabun, kumicho, shatei, wakashu... Universal additional practical explanatory dictionary by I. Mostitsky

    I The name of Japanese organized crime; Japanese mafia. II m. and f. Member of the Japanese mafia. Ephraim's explanatory dictionary. T. F. Efremova. 2000... Modern explanatory dictionary of the Russian language by Efremova

    yakuza- yak uza, uncl., female (Japanese mafia) and husband. (mafioso) ... Russian spelling dictionary

    yakuza- and, f. In Japan - the mafia; organizations evil world... Ukrainian Tlumach Dictionary

    Y; and. In Japan: mafia; organized crime world... encyclopedic Dictionary

Books

  • Yakuza (ed. 2018), Sillov D.O.. A person is free, as it seems to him. But in fact, becoming a puppet in the struggle for power is as easy as shelling pears. This is exactly what happened to Viktor Savelyev. Life forced Victor to contact first...


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