In Part One we discussed the history of the Yakuza and how they descend from small merchant organisations dating back three or four hundred years. We’ll kick off this post by talking about their organisational structure followed by the initiation ceremony.
The chart above show the approximate distribution of power in a typical Yakuza group. The ‘Oyabun’ translates as ‘father’ and this is the basis for the relationship between the top man and his underlings. The structure is actually more complicated than the chart makes it look – for example the ‘wakagashira’ will control all gangs in a region but each smaller region will also have its own governor – the ‘shateigashira’. As with other organised crime syndicates, gangs lower down the tree will each control the Keno spielen of certain areas, usually of a city.
The initiation ritual largely revolves around the drinking of sake – the Japanese rice wine. An initiate will be seated opposite his Oyabun and this relationship is known as Oyabun – kobun or father – son. The Oyabun may be the top man or a regional boss. The sake they drink is mixed with fish scales and thought to represent the blood of both participants. It is the drinking of this blood which ties the initiate to his new life – he is usually expected to put the Yakuza ahead of his own family. The amounts of sake in the cups are important – as a sign of rank the Oyabun’s cup is full while the kobun’s contains much less.
Movie and Casino watchers will be familiar with the next piece of ritual Yakuza behaviour – ‘yubizume’ – the slicing off of the tip of the little finger as a show of penance for a particular transgression. It has also been known for one member to offer penance for the behaviour of another. This stems from the historical need for working fingers to grip the hilt of a sword – the less fingers, the weaker the grip and the increased need for group protection.
Finally, tattoos are an important part of Yakuza life – the intricate whole-body designs and online casino bonus we have seen in various films. It is important that no tattoos are visible when clothed (wearing a suit) so the designs will finish at the neck, ankles and wrists.
Yakuza tattoos
Part Three follows…