In matter of fact, the National Police Agency (Japan's equivalent to the FBI) speculated that in 1989, the Yakuza earned at least $9.6 billion. (NPA, 1989)
IV. From my own personal study of Japanese culture at Valparaiso University and in conjunction with extensive research by David E. Kaplan, the foremost authority on the Yakuza, I am here not to judge the actions or persuade you on the morals of the Yakuza, but to inform you of Yakuza traditions and customs.
V. Specifically, I will enlighten you on the following three customs of the Yakuza: (1) Sakazuki, (2) Yubitsume, and (3) Irezumi.
BODY
To begin with, the Yakuza does not discriminate against potential members…for instance; they are 6 times the size of the Italian-American mafia (Kaplan, The Journal, 1991)
I. SAKAZUKI -- "wine cups" (Kaplan and Dubro, 1986)
A) Initiation ceremony (Slide)
B) Exchange of sake cups symbolizes entrance …Yakuza and the father-son relationship.
C) Amount of sake poured into one's cup, dependent on status. (Slide)
D) Done in front of Shinto alter, giving it religious significance.
As a member, one is required to have 100% loyalty to the oyabun (the "father"). If you dishonor your immediate father, your family, or yourself one would engage in the following…
II. YUBITSUME -- a way to express an apology for disobedience (Kaplan and Dubro, 1986)
A) Yubi-kiri (linking little fingers to confirm a promise)
An individual would cut-off a finger at the joint (Slide)
Present the cut-off finger in a silk white napkin
Make a deep bow and pray
B) Other punishments are: (Irezumi Exhibition at the Tattoo Museum)
Kami-kiri (haircutting)
Kiseru-yaki (branding with a pipe)
Tsume hanashi (tearing out a fingernail).
The ultimate commitment to the Yakuza, one would endure …
III. IREZUMI -- translates into "put into ink" (tattoo)
A) Originally, tattoos were a ring or band around the arm that designated a crime.
B) 73% of the Yakuza have some form of tattoo. (Kaplan and Dubro, 1986)
C) True form of irezumi would require… (Irezumi Exhibition at the Tattoo Museum)
Completely done by hand, not machine. (Slide)
100+ hours
Between 3 and 50 needles
D) Full body tattoos proof of strength, courage, toughness and masculinity. (Slide)
Illustrated unwillingness to accommodate to societies rules and norms.
Showed loyalty, faithfulness, or solidarity as a member of the organization.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, I hope that I have offered some insight into three major customs of the Yakuza:
(1) Sakazuki – Initiation Ceremony
(2) Yubitsume – Finger Cutting
(3) Irezumi – Full Body Tattoo
How you judge or interpret this information is up to you. I hope everyone enjoyed this informative speech. Thank you for your time and your undivided attention.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Irezumi Exhibition at the Tattoo Museum, Japan. (2000) [World Wide Web]. Available: http://www.tattoomuseum.com/irezumi/
Kaplan, David E. (1991, October). International Mob Money: Japanese Organized Crime Moves into High Finance, The Journal, 49-53.
Kaplan, David E. and Butler, Steven (April 13, 1998). Yakuza Inc., U.S. News & World Report, 40-45.
Kaplan, David E. and Dubro, Alec (1986). The Explosive Account of Japan's Criminal Underworld. Reading, Massachusetts: Addison-Wesley Publishing Co.
National Police Agency (1989; Tokyo). Organized Crime Control Today and its Future Tasks, White Paper on Police 1989, 16.
Yakuza means "without worth for the society."
Specifically, I will enlighten you on the following three customs of the Yakuza:
(1) Sakazuki
(2) Yubitsume
(3) Irezumi