The Crime Book

157

ceremony, during which an oyabun

drinks sake from the same cup as

the kobun, to mark the kobun’s

entry into the Yakuza group.

Yakuza syndicates developed

stringent rules to preserve their

secrecy, ensure adherence to the

senpai-kohai system and establish

a ranking structure to determine

each individual’s status within the

group. Beneath the oyabun is the

wakigashira (underboss or first

lieutenant) and the shateigashira

(second lieutenant). The lieutenants

command the senior-ranking

kyodai (big brothers) and the lesser-

ranking shatei (little brothers). The

oyabun is also aided by the saiko

komon (senior adviser) who leads

a team of administrators, law

advisers, and accountants.

Symbolic practices

Tattoos became a hallmark of

Yakuza groups during Japan's feudal

period (1185–1603). Originally,

criminals were branded with black

ring tattoos, but the Yakuza

transformed the practice into

complex, decorative badges of

honour, which functioned as

symbols of strength, endurance, and

status. A less artistic custom, called

yubitosome, is the mutilation of

one’s own finger with a knife as

penance to the oyabun for debt or

disobedience. For a first offence, the

left little finger is removed up to

the knuckle and presented to the

oyabun. A portion of the ring finger

is excised for a second offence,

followed by the middle finger, and,

finally, the index finger. For the next

transgression, the culprit moves to

the next joint of the little finger. If an

See also: The Sicilian Mafia 138–45 ■ The Triads 146–49 ■ Hells Angels 160–63

ORGANIZED CRIME

entire finger is cut off a member’s

hand as a result of repeat offences, it

becomes known as a “dead finger.”

The modern Yakuza

At the beginning of the 20th

century, Japan underwent

extensive economic modernization.

The Yakuza expanded their

activities accordingly, organizing

labour forces of casual workers at

dockyards and on construction

sites. Yakuza bosses invested in

legitimate businesses which ❯❯

Major Yakuza syndicates in Japan

Once you make a pledge

to the gang, the only

way out is to cut

off your fingers.

Yakuza member

Yamaguchi-gumi has

approximately 55,000 members,

which makes it the largest

Yakuza syndicate. It is based

in Kobe and accounts for

50 per cent of Yakuza members.

Sumiyoshi-kai is the

second-largest syndicate.

Founded in Tokyo, there

are around 20,000

members. The leadership

is divided between

several people.

Aizukotetsu-kai

comes from “Aizu,”

a region of Japan;

“kotetsu”, a type of

Japanese sword;

and “kai”, meaning

“society”. This group

has 7,000 members.

Inagawa-kai, with

15,000 members, is

based in the greater

Tokyo area. It was one

of the first Yakuza

organizations

to operate abroad.

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