The Yakuza
Ravenous. Lethal. Merciless. Cold. Calculated. These are a few words that might describe one of the deadliest gangs that have decided to invade the islands of Hawaii. The Yakuza, also known as gokudō, is the name of the transnational organized crime syndicate that originated from Japan, yet, have flooded the islands of Hawaii with the promise of new "business proposals". Turf wars have been on the rise with the arrival of organized gang; violence has escalated as these dangerous individuals seek to expand their territories further into the Hawaiian islands. The Yakuza were given the nickname of bōryokudan, which translates to "violence group", by the Japanese media and law enforcements; this name has been across the seas and remains one of their alternative names that strike horror into the hearts of all innocent citizens out there.
Yet, what makes this gang so different from the rest? Well, the Yakuza are known for their strict codes of conduct and very organized nature; so much so, that this separates them completely from the less organized and sporadic natures of the other gangs present upon the island. This might be, perhaps, one of their most lethal attributes for those lower ranked are often denied access to important information and will often go to their graves before revealing vital sources. To this date, the few alleged Yakuza to have been captured committed suicide while in custody to prevent themselves from letting any information slip as to the inner workings of this methodical group. They take pride in their code of jingi, which pertains to justice and duty, indicating that members of this gang show the utmost loyalty and respect, and denote those two particular attributes as a way of life. To prove their loyalties to the gang, many gang members are expected to cut their family ties and transfer the lost sense of family to the gang boss. This explains why they usually refer to each other as family members.
The Yakuza are proud individuals; they demonstrate this pride by a display of tattoos that tie them into the gang. These tattoos are intricate markers that are often "hand-poked" (when the ink is inserted beneath the skin using a non-electrical hand-made tool with needles of sharpened bamboo or steel), which is an extremely painful experience, which may often take years to complete. The Yakuza are cold, calculating minds that make them powerful assassins and undercover agents; they prefer to go into a situation with a well devised plan given to them by their bosses, instead of merely running in blind.
With their strict code of conducts comes an obvious form of structural hierarchy that has allowed this nefarious cell to evolve into a coherent group. Using a traditional Japanese hierarchical structure of oyabun-kobun, where the kobun(foster child) owes his/her allegiance to the oyabun (foster parent). This relationship is formalized by the ceremonial sharing of sake from a single cup, which indicates the sworn brotherhood about to be formed between "child" and "parent", or rather the new recruit and the family boss. The Yakuza demonstrate a complex organizational structure where there is an overall boss of the syndicate (the kumicho). He gives orders to the subordinates, the kobun. Beneath him are the saiko komon (senior advisor) and so-honbucho (headquarters chief). They control their own turfs in the different areas and cities located on the islands of Hawaii; and with that, they also possess their own underlings, including other underbosses, advisors, accountants, and enforcers. The second in the chain of command falls upon the wakagashira, who governs several gangs in a region with the help of the fuku-honbucho, who, himself, is responsible for several gangs. The various regional gangs are governed by a local boss, the shateigashira.
The Yakuza are known to accept those who come from all walks of life, with romantic tales describing the acceptance of sons who have been exiled or abandoned by their parents. Many recruits start out in their junior high school, or high school, days where they maintain a profile as a "common street thug" or a member of a bōsōzoku gang.
Disobeying a direct order, or proving a disappointment, may often result in punishment. One of the most common punishments experienced within the Yakuza is known as yubitsume, the ritual of cutting off one's finger as a form of penance or apology, and presenting the tip of the little finger to the ruling boss. However, more serious crimes against the gang are punished more severely, and most often result in gruesome deaths that proceed hours of torture.
Yet, what makes this gang so different from the rest? Well, the Yakuza are known for their strict codes of conduct and very organized nature; so much so, that this separates them completely from the less organized and sporadic natures of the other gangs present upon the island. This might be, perhaps, one of their most lethal attributes for those lower ranked are often denied access to important information and will often go to their graves before revealing vital sources. To this date, the few alleged Yakuza to have been captured committed suicide while in custody to prevent themselves from letting any information slip as to the inner workings of this methodical group. They take pride in their code of jingi, which pertains to justice and duty, indicating that members of this gang show the utmost loyalty and respect, and denote those two particular attributes as a way of life. To prove their loyalties to the gang, many gang members are expected to cut their family ties and transfer the lost sense of family to the gang boss. This explains why they usually refer to each other as family members.
The Yakuza are proud individuals; they demonstrate this pride by a display of tattoos that tie them into the gang. These tattoos are intricate markers that are often "hand-poked" (when the ink is inserted beneath the skin using a non-electrical hand-made tool with needles of sharpened bamboo or steel), which is an extremely painful experience, which may often take years to complete. The Yakuza are cold, calculating minds that make them powerful assassins and undercover agents; they prefer to go into a situation with a well devised plan given to them by their bosses, instead of merely running in blind.
With their strict code of conducts comes an obvious form of structural hierarchy that has allowed this nefarious cell to evolve into a coherent group. Using a traditional Japanese hierarchical structure of oyabun-kobun, where the kobun(foster child) owes his/her allegiance to the oyabun (foster parent). This relationship is formalized by the ceremonial sharing of sake from a single cup, which indicates the sworn brotherhood about to be formed between "child" and "parent", or rather the new recruit and the family boss. The Yakuza demonstrate a complex organizational structure where there is an overall boss of the syndicate (the kumicho). He gives orders to the subordinates, the kobun. Beneath him are the saiko komon (senior advisor) and so-honbucho (headquarters chief). They control their own turfs in the different areas and cities located on the islands of Hawaii; and with that, they also possess their own underlings, including other underbosses, advisors, accountants, and enforcers. The second in the chain of command falls upon the wakagashira, who governs several gangs in a region with the help of the fuku-honbucho, who, himself, is responsible for several gangs. The various regional gangs are governed by a local boss, the shateigashira.
The Yakuza are known to accept those who come from all walks of life, with romantic tales describing the acceptance of sons who have been exiled or abandoned by their parents. Many recruits start out in their junior high school, or high school, days where they maintain a profile as a "common street thug" or a member of a bōsōzoku gang.
Disobeying a direct order, or proving a disappointment, may often result in punishment. One of the most common punishments experienced within the Yakuza is known as yubitsume, the ritual of cutting off one's finger as a form of penance or apology, and presenting the tip of the little finger to the ruling boss. However, more serious crimes against the gang are punished more severely, and most often result in gruesome deaths that proceed hours of torture.