What are the ranks of the yakuza?

Current Yakuza members fall under three general categories: tekiya (street peddlers), bakuto (gamblers), and gurentai (hoodlums). The yakuza are proud to be outcasts, and the word yakuza reflects the group’s self-image as society’s rejects.

What are yakuza leaders called?

the oyabun
The leader of any gang or conglomerate of yakuza is known as the oyabun (“boss”; literally “parent status”), and the followers are known as kobun (“protégés,” or “apprentices”; literally “child status”).

What is the highest rank in the yakuza?

Highest ranking member in a family is a Oyabun/Kumicho (Father/Head boss) who is the highest ranking member of the whole family. Below him there are three more ranks, that each fall into one of two categories, made-men or associates.

How does yakuza hierarchy work?

The key to the hierarchy is the oyabun-kobun relationship, a set of father-son roles that binds all Yakuza clans together. Each member of the clan may play both the oyabun and the kobun roles, acting as a subordinate to the Yakuza immediately above him and as a boss to the gangsters below him.

Can non Japanese join yakuza?

Yes, you can join the Yakuza as an American. That’s because the Yakuza have the traditional Japanese warrior spirit that sees the foreigner as a threat. However, if you succeed, you’ll have to carry out criminal activities since it’s a criminal group.

Can you join Yakuza?

Do yakuza harm civilians?

In the day to day lives of most people living in Japan, they’re not dangerous at all. Even if you see them, they’re not really in the habit of interacting with the “public” in any way and, compared with Western gangs/hooligans/thugs/punks/drunk-teenagers, Yakuza pose relatively no danger.

What do you call a yakuza wife?

A family affair This is why you call your boss oyassan (おやっさん – father). In return, a yakuza boss or upper level family member calls the younger ones kodomo (子供 – children) and may use other family terms to refer to people. The boss’s wife is often called anesan (姉さん – older sister).

Do yakuza wives get tattoos?

Having the women pose to take snaps of their tattoos was the easiest starting point for the photographer, who said, “They never show (their tattoos) to anyone because they can’t, but they’re quite proud of them.” However, Jafé knew there was more to learn beyond the tattooed bodies.

What is the structure of the yakuza family?

A Yakuza family has a structure superficially similar to a Mafia family. A single patriarch ( kumicho) rules the clan. He has various lieutenants, under-bosses and minor gang leaders beneath him in a roughly pyramidal structure [source: Crime Library ]. Regional leaders, assistants, advisers and an assortment…

How do you join a yakuza clan?

Entry into a Yakuza clan begins with a ceremony that involves drinking sake. A Yakuza family has a structure superficially similar to a Mafia family. A single patriarch ( kumicho) rules the clan. He has various lieutenants, under-bosses and minor gang leaders beneath him in a roughly pyramidal structure [source: Crime Library ].

Which Prefecture has the largest yakuza syndicates?

Fukuoka, the northernmost part of the island, has the largest number of designated syndicates among all of the prefectures. During the formation of the Yakuza, they adopted the traditional Japanese hierarchical structure of oyabun-kobun where kobun (子分; lit. foster child) owe their allegiance to the oyabun (親分, lit. foster parent).

What is wakashu in Yakuza?

Yakuza Ranking System Wakashu – “Young Man,” the rank and file of the syndicate. Shatei – “Younger Brother,” junior bosses of individual gangs. Kyodai – “Big Brother,” senior bosses of individual gangs.