Yakuza

If I could change my role in life someday, I would like to be the head --or often called Oyabun-- of Yakuza gangster in Japan. Yakuza, also known as gokudou, is Japan’s native organized crime group. The Japanese police call them bouryokudan which means violent group, while the yakuza call themselves as ninkyou danta or chivalrous organizations.

There is something very interesting about them that has made my eyes open. They are bunch of bad guys doing criminals (semi) publicly, but you know what—they have dignity that any other villains do not have. The nature of the yakuza group is remarkably strict and very organized. Besides, they are friends for those who do not interfere, but they can be an absolute violence to people who get through their way.

Yakuza has been rooted from very long time ago since the mid-Edo period. They used to be involved or participating in gambling, stealing goods or some other commercial activities. In modern era, they change forms and operations into group which practically works in human and drugs trafficking, debt collecting, possessing night entertainments, and many more.

There are two icons to indicate a person as Yakuza member; full-body tattoo and cut fingers. The yakuza members favor tattoos or body murals. This full-body tattoo is mostly covering the entire torso, front and back, arms, and mid-legs. Therefore, Yakuza always wear long underwear and shirts covered with coat or suit. The other hallmark of Yakuza is typically having cut-off finger(s). This ritual called Yubitsume is a form of apology if one does not do their task well.

I know what they are doing is criminality, but my mind and conscience appeal me to be a part of them to feel how it is like to be different yet dreaded Yakuza even though just for a day.