One of the most striking phenomena in the Japanese society are a criminal yakuza groupings. Unlike the Western mafia associations, the yakuza are legitimate formations with clear rules and a strict code of honor. Japanese people have put up with the existence of criminal clans for a long-long, considering them an integral part of the traditional way of life. However, under the pressure of the authorities, the level of confidence in the yakuza has been gradually decreasing in recent years.
There is not enough reliable information about how exactly such phenomena came to life. Some members of this community tend to consider themselves descendants of the Samurai class, many of whom in the distant past lost Suzerains and became wandering ronin. This point of view allows the yakuza to create around itself an aura of romance and nobility.
The precursors of the yakuza appeared in XVII-XVIII centuries and began to gain influence in XIX, especially during the Meiji Restoration. They’ve put under their control spheres like: economic development and subsequent industrialization, and also industrial production and the labor market. By that time, the bandits were already actively cooperating with the local police, in exchange for protection, they were supplied with information. In addition, law enforcement officers and the Yakuza had an agreement on the division of responsibilities: in exchange for permission to carry weapons (mainly swords) and a number of other preferences mafia was obliged to perform a police functions when the local police didn’t have enough of its own resources.
The rapprochement of the yakuza with the authorities continued in the 20th century. Especially fast pace of it was at the background of the economic recession in the period before the Second World War. On the one hand, the mafia could effectively suppress the actions of the indignant residents, for which it continued to receive various indulgences. On the other hand, under the guidance of the yakuza, various kinds of gangs were rising up.
The families and clans of the yakuza union are called only conditionally, usually there are no kinships between their members. Relations that connects gang members can be called „Quasi-family”. We are talking about the system of „Oyabun”-„Kobun”, where the first is conditionally a father, and the second is a conditionally son. This hierarchical system isn’t characteristic of only criminal groups: according to the same principle, participants in many other japanese associations : like companies, political parties, public organizations, etc.
At the same time, relations between some yakuzas are stronger than in other collectives, especially when it comes to the execution of a boss's order.It is an unthinkable act for a clan member to disobey his „Oyabun”. If for some reason the „Kobun” did not fulfill the will of his „Oyabun” or compromised his clan, he makes a ritual, which became a visiting card of the yakuza all over the world, to cut off the last phalanx of the little finger (or an unnamed finger if the offense happened twice or more). This ritual originates from an ancient Japan, when it had not only symbolic, but also practical significance: without a little finger or a part of it, it was much more difficult for a warrior to wield a sword, which made him more dependent of his master and other members of the collective to whom he had committed offenses.
Another distinguishing feature of yakuza, which is familiar to many foreigners, are huge tattoos that can cover the entire body. However, as a rule, bandits carefully hide them from prying eyes. One of the reasons that the yakuza seek to decorate his body as much as possible is the desire to demonstrate the fortitude of the spirit and the contempt for physical suffering. Usually these tattoos are made manually, without use of any special devices. It may take a very long time to create a pattern like on the photo above – up to several years.
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Thanks for reading this! Hope you found something new.
1. Did you see any movies about Yakuza?
2. Have you heard about criminal groupings in your country?
Comments
Mafia groups are the most famous criminal groups in the world who work in different countries in different sectors.
I heard about Pruszków mafia from Poland, apparently it was quite successful at the time.
No, I didn't.
2. Have you heard about criminal groupings in your country?
And no. Criminals don't bother me.
I remember it not from a movie, but from GTA 2 :) There were three groups that you could do missions for: Yakuza (Japanese), Zaibatsu (Chinese) and Rednecks (American). I've heard also about the Triade, but I guess this one is of Chinese descent.
2. Have you heard about criminal groupings in your country?
Of course. The famous Wołomin and Pruszków opposing groups. They were more famous in the 90s than now. Today I don't think there are famous criminal groups in Poland. At least none that I know of.
Not at all. It's not the topic I've been interested in for a long time unfortunately.
2. Have you heard about criminal groupings in your country?
Yes, there were two, but I don't know about their status nowadays. Probably they don't exist anymore.
Heard a lot actually in news its quite a popular topic. Also there are a lot of series that shows real-like life of such organizations.
2. I live in small city so we don't have criminal groupings. I live in Legionowo and we have Police Training Center so we are rather police city.
Unfortunately not, but I would like to watch some about them. I need to do a research which movies are the best.
2. Have you heard about criminal groupings in your country?
Yes, I've heard a lot about them. Actually I do like to read about them, or watch movies. It's a very interesting topic for me.
2. I’ve heard about the ones from football hooligans environments being the most violent and least organized. You can also from time to time hear about some illegal activities performed by so called mafia which usually means some crooks operating on corporate level.
Hmm, I have heard about two major groups in Warsaw - 'Pruszkow' and 'Mokotow'. I haven't live in this times but I have read a lot of books about that. It was very terrible but I was very interesting so I wouldn't have missed these films.
2. No, when I have not heard. Do they exist in other countries except of Japan?
No, I did not, but it seems pretty interesting. I think I will watch one, because I'm interested in Japanese culture.
2. Have you heard about criminal groupings in your country?
Yes, for example mafia pruszkowska, mokotowska, etc.
Yes, I have heard about criminal groups. Some people are fascinated by this topic and I also talked to them.
no i did not, not yet but now i will.
2. Have you heard about criminal groupings in your country?
i heard about mafia pruszków and that all i know
I think everybody has heard or met one of a member of one of many essential and frightening Polish Mafia group. Many movies were recorded about old Polish mafia members, about their criminal carries and how their life used to look like in their bright times.