Yakuza (from Japanese やくざ or ヤクザ or 8-9-3), also known as gokudō, are members of traditional organized crime groups in Japan. Today the Yakuza is the largest organized crime phenomenon in the world, as noted in the Guinness Book of Records. In Japanese legal terminology, yakuza organizations are referred to as Bōryokudan, literally "violence groups". Yakuza members consider this an insult, as Bōryokudan is a term which can be applied to any violent criminal. In the Western press they are freq ...

Including:

• Yakuza - Origin and history
• Yakuza - Tekiya and Bakuto
• Yakuza - Post-War Yakuza: Gurentai
• Yakuza - Organization and activities
• Yakuza - Structure
• Yakuza - Rituals
• Yakuza - Current Activities
• Yakuza - Reference
• Yakuza - Books
• Yakuza - Selected Film References

Read more here: » Yakuza: Encyclopedia - Yakuza

See also:

Yakuza, Yakuza - Origin and history, Yakuza - Tekiya and Bakuto, Yakuza - Post-War Yakuza: Gurentai, Yakuza - Organization and activities, Yakuza - Structure, Yakuza - Rituals, Yakuza - Current Activities, Yakuza - Reference, Yakuza - Books, Yakuza - Selected Film References

Read more here: » Yakuza: Encyclopedia II - Yakuza - Organization and activities

The term "Yakuza" comes from a Japanese card game, Oicho-Kabu (played with hanafuda or kabufuda cards). The worst hand in the game is a set of eight, nine and three. In traditional Japanese forms of counting, these numbers are called Ya, Ku and Sa, thus the origin of the word "yakuza." The yakuza took this name because the Ya-Ku-Za hand requires the most skill (at judging opponents, etc.) and, obviously, the best luck in order to win. The name was also used because it signified bad fortune, presuma ...

See also:

Yakuza, Yakuza - Origin and history, Yakuza - Tekiya and Bakuto, Yakuza - Post-War Yakuza: Gurentai, Yakuza - Organization and activities, Yakuza - Structure, Yakuza - Rituals, Yakuza - Current Activities, Yakuza - Reference, Yakuza - Books, Yakuza - Selected Film References

Read more here: » Yakuza: Encyclopedia II - Yakuza - Origin and history

A criminal organization is a group run by criminals to further their illegal activities. They are usually involved with drugs, prostitution, money laundering and black marketeering. These activities are also called vice and organized crime. Some also engage in acts of political, racist, and religiously motivated violence, and in acts of terrorism and crimes against humanity. Examples of criminal organizations would include the Mafia and the Yakuza. The role of prison gangs, by definition crimin ...

Read more here: » Criminal organization: Encyclopedia - Criminal organization

Tattoos are used among criminals to show membership of gangs and record the wearer's personal history - such as his or her skills, specialities, accomplishments and convictions. They are also used as a means of personal expression. Certain designs have developed recognised coded meanings. The code systems can be quite complex and, because of the nature of what they encode, they are often not widely recognised. Criminal tattoo - British. ACAB is an acronym often integrated into prison tattoos i ...

Including:

• Criminal tattoo - British
• Criminal tattoo - Japanese
• Criminal tattoo - Middle Eastern
• Criminal tattoo - North American
• Criminal tattoo - Russian
• Criminal tattoo - The four suits
• Criminal tattoo - Other symbols
• Criminal tattoo - Hand tattoos

Read more here: » Criminal tattoo: Encyclopedia - Criminal tattoo

Shōjo or shoujo (少女 lit. young woman) is, in western usage, a style of anime and manga intended for girls (that may have some crossover appeal to boys as well). Typically, "pure shōjo" manga revolves around love stories and strong female protagonists; however, some shōjo anime and manga are more plot or action-oriented to attract a wider audience. For instance, a lot of older salarymen were drawn to a manga called Banana Fish for its hard-edged yakuza action (which is more often found in seinen manga). What kept female audiences interested in this work was a gentle relationship between two g ...

Including:

• Shōjo - List of shōjo anime and manga

Read more here: » Shōjo: Encyclopedia - Shōjo

The Black Dragon Society (黒竜会, kokuryūkai?) was a prominent paramilitary, ultra-nationalist right-wing group in Japan. Its name is derived from the Amur River, cal ...

Including:

• Black Dragon Society - External references

Read more here: » Black Dragon Society: Encyclopedia - Black Dragon Society

Triad (Simplified: 三合会; Traditional: 三合會; Hanyu Pinyin: Sānhéhuì; literally "Triad Society") is a collective term that describes many branches of an underground society and organizations based in Hong Kong and also operating in Mainland China, Macao, and Chinatowns in Europe, North America, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. There are about 50 triad groups that are active in modern Hong Kong; many of them are no more than small, local street gangs. The larger groups, including t ...

Including:

• Triad - History of triads
• Triad - Precursor to triads—Tian Di Hui
• Triad - Post-imperial developments
• Triad - Migration to Hong Kong
• Triad - Sustenance from 1980s
• Triad - Activities overseas
• Triad - Recent developments
• Triad - Triad groups
• Triad - The 14K Triad
• Triad - The Sun Yee On
• Triad - The Wo Group
• Triad - Triad culture
• Triad - Triad organizational structure
• Triad - Gang fighting
• Triad - Organized crime
• Triad - Dealing with triad problems in schools
• Triad - How triads are tackled in Hong Kong
• Triad - Portrayal of triad societies in popular culture
• Triad - Public figures alleged to have or have had triad ties
• Triad - List of Triads Tongs and Chinese Gangs
• Triad - Triads
• Triad - Tongs
• Triad - Chinese Gangs
• Triad - Miscellaneous information

Read more here: » Triad: Encyclopedia - Triad

Japanese cinema (映画; Eiga) has a history in Japan that spans more than 100 years. Cinema of Japan - Genres. Anime: Japanese animation. Jidaigeki, period pieces featuring samurai, also known as Chambara (onomatopoeia describing the sound of swords clashing). Horror films such as Ringu, also known as J-Horror Cult Horror, such as Battle Royale or Suicide Club Kaiju: monster films, such as Goj ...

Including:

• Cinema of Japan - Genres
• Cinema of Japan - History
• Cinema of Japan - The Silent Era
• Cinema of Japan - The 1930s
• Cinema of Japan - The 1940s
• Cinema of Japan - The 1950s
• Cinema of Japan - The 1960s
• Cinema of Japan - The 1970s
• Cinema of Japan - The 1980s
• Cinema of Japan - The 1990s
• Cinema of Japan - 2000 and after

Read more here: » Cinema of Japan: Encyclopedia - Cinema of Japan

The yakuza (underworld) had existed in Japan well before the 1800s and followed codes similar to the bushido of the samurai. Their early operations were usually close-knit, and the leader and gang members had father-son relationships. Although this traditional arrangement continues to exist, yakuza activities are increasingly replaced by modern types of gangs that depend on force and money as organizing concepts. Nonetheless, yakuza often picture themselves as saviors of traditional Japanese virtues in a postwar society, sometimes forming ties with right-wing groups espousing the same views and attra ...

See also:

Crime in Japan, Crime in Japan - Definitions, Crime in Japan - Statistics, Crime in Japan - Social Factors, Crime in Japan - Juvenile delinquency, Crime in Japan - Yakuza, Crime in Japan - Inhuman Crimes, Crime in Japan - Reference

Read more here: » Crime in Japan: Encyclopedia II - Crime in Japan - Yakuza

He had debts with the yakuza and left his family dealing with the problems he created, he spends his time away from home having fun with young women and gambling. Credits. ...

See also:

Mind Game, Mind Game - Nishi, Mind Game - Myon, Mind Game - Yan, Mind Game - Ryo, Mind Game - Yakuza boss, Mind Game - Yakuza, Mind Game - Atsu, Mind Game - Father of Myon and Yan, Mind Game - Cast, Mind Game - Writing credits, Mind Game - Original Music, Mind Game - Film Editing, Mind Game - Art Direction, Mind Game - Other crew, Mind Game - Production Companies, Mind Game - Distributors, Mind Game - Other Companies

Read more here: » Mind Game: Encyclopedia II - Mind Game - Father of Myon and Yan

As in the West, a number of seemingly extremely brutal and inhumane crimes has contributed to a certain sense of malaise in contemporary society, even as the overall incidence of crime is falling. These include the so-called Nevada-tan incident, a kindergarten school mass killing, the Aum sarin gas attack, the socially deviant Panawave cult, and so forth. ...

See also:

Crime in Japan, Crime in Japan - Definitions, Crime in Japan - Statistics, Crime in Japan - Social Factors, Crime in Japan - Juvenile delinquency, Crime in Japan - Yakuza, Crime in Japan - Inhuman Crimes, Crime in Japan - Reference

Read more here: » Crime in Japan: Encyclopedia II - Crime in Japan - Inhuman Crimes

According to Ruth Benedict's shame culture/guilt culture analysis, an important factor keeping crime low is the traditional emphasis on the individual as a member of groups to which he or she must not bring shame. Within these groups—family, friends, and associates at work or school—a Japanese citizen has social rights and obligations, derives valued emotional support, and meets powerful expectations to conform. These informal social sanctions display remarkable potency despite competing values in a changing society. Other important fact ...

See also:

Crime in Japan, Crime in Japan - Definitions, Crime in Japan - Statistics, Crime in Japan - Social Factors, Crime in Japan - Juvenile delinquency, Crime in Japan - Yakuza, Crime in Japan - Inhuman Crimes, Crime in Japan - Reference

Read more here: » Crime in Japan: Encyclopedia II - Crime in Japan - Social Factors

Extensive body tattoos ('body suits') are commonly worn by Yakuza members. These traditional tattoos are known as irezumi in Japanese. Their size and elaborate nature show not only the wearers' affiliation, but also his ability to endure pain. Starting in the Kofun period (300-600 A.D.), tattoos began to assume negative connotations. Instead of being used for ritual or status purposes, tattooed marks began to be placed on criminals as a punishment (this was mirrored in ancient Rome, where slaves were known to have been tattooed with mottos such as "I am ...

See also:

Criminal tattoo, Criminal tattoo - British, Criminal tattoo - Japanese, Criminal tattoo - Middle Eastern, Criminal tattoo - North American, Criminal tattoo - Russian, Criminal tattoo - The four suits, Criminal tattoo - Other symbols, Criminal tattoo - Hand tattoos

Read more here: » Criminal tattoo: Encyclopedia II - Criminal tattoo - Japanese

List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - Liberty City Triads. Gang type: Street gang, possible involvement in organized crime as well. Appearances: GTA III, GTA:LCS Turf: Chinatown, Portland, Liberty City (1998 - ?) Fronts: Mr. Wong's Laundrette, Chinatown, Portland, Liberty City; Turtle Head Fishing Co. fish factory, Callahan Point, Portland, Liberty City; Belly-Up Fish and Seafood Processing Plant, location unknown, but its signage is depicted o ...

See also:

List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series, List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - Sicilian/Italian-American gangs, List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - The Leones, List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - The Forellis, List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - The Sindaccos, List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - Vercetti gang/crime ring, List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - Sicilian Mafia, List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - African-American gangs, List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - Southside Hoods, List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - Grove Street Families, List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - Ballas, List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - Asian gangs, List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - Liberty City Triads, List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - San Fierro Triads, List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - Liberty City Yakuza, List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - Russian Mafia, List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - Da Nang Boys, List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - Hispanic gangs, List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - Colombian Cartel, List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - Diablos, List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - Diaz's gang, List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - Cubans, List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - Los Santos Vagos, List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - Varrios Los Aztecas, List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - San Fierro Rifa, List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - Afro-Caribbean gangs, List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - Uptown Yardies, List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - Haitians, List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - Other gangs, List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - Bikers, List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - Golfers, List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - Security guards, List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - Streetwannabe's, List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - The army, List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - Avenging Angels

Read more here: » List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series: Encyclopedia II - List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - Asian gangs

Gangs have been known to claim colors such as red or blue, a trend that started as far back as the late 18th century and early 19th century with the rivalry of the Roach Guards and the Dead Rabbits of New York's Five Points district and later with Mexican bandits and roving marauders in what would later become the Southwest/Western United States. (In the United States, especially in the 1950s and 1960s, "gang colors" can r ...

See also:

Gang, Gang - Gang Activities, Gang - Gang identification, Gang - Gang types, Gang - Gang members, Gang - Gang warfare

Read more here: » Gang: Encyclopedia II - Gang - Gang identification

List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - Uptown Yardies. Gang type: Street gang Appearance: GTA III, GTA:LCS Turf: Newport, Staunton Island, Liberty City (1998 - ?) Gang car: Yardie Lobo The Yardies are a Jamaican gang, led by King Courtney and Queen Lizzy. They are secretly in league with the Colombian Cartel and are known to push SPANK onto ...

See also:

List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series, List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - Sicilian/Italian-American gangs, List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - The Leones, List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - The Forellis, List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - The Sindaccos, List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - Vercetti gang/crime ring, List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - Sicilian Mafia, List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - African-American gangs, List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - Southside Hoods, List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - Grove Street Families, List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - Ballas, List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - Asian gangs, List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - Liberty City Triads, List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - San Fierro Triads, List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - Liberty City Yakuza, List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - Russian Mafia, List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - Da Nang Boys, List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - Hispanic gangs, List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - Colombian Cartel, List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - Diablos, List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - Diaz's gang, List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - Cubans, List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - Los Santos Vagos, List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - Varrios Los Aztecas, List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - San Fierro Rifa, List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - Afro-Caribbean gangs, List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - Uptown Yardies, List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - Haitians, List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - Other gangs, List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - Bikers, List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - Golfers, List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - Security guards, List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - Streetwannabe's, List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - The army, List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - Avenging Angels

Read more here: » List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series: Encyclopedia II - List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - Afro-Caribbean gangs

List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - Bikers. Gang type: Motorcycle gang Appearance: GTA:VC Turf: Downtown, Vice City Gang motorcycle: Angel Simply put, they are "the biggest family of misfits, outcasts and badasses." as said by their leader, Big Mitch Baker. A group of stereotypical bikers, they wear leather, have long beards and hair, wear biker attire and ride motorcycles. They are the only gang that Tommy Vercetti joins or works for whom h ...

See also:

List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series, List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - Sicilian/Italian-American gangs, List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - The Leones, List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - The Forellis, List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - The Sindaccos, List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - Vercetti gang/crime ring, List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - Sicilian Mafia, List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - African-American gangs, List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - Southside Hoods, List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - Grove Street Families, List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - Ballas, List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - Asian gangs, List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - Liberty City Triads, List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - San Fierro Triads, List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - Liberty City Yakuza, List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - Russian Mafia, List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - Da Nang Boys, List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - Hispanic gangs, List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - Colombian Cartel, List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - Diablos, List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - Diaz's gang, List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - Cubans, List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - Los Santos Vagos, List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - Varrios Los Aztecas, List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - San Fierro Rifa, List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - Afro-Caribbean gangs, List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - Uptown Yardies, List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - Haitians, List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - Other gangs, List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - Bikers, List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - Golfers, List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - Security guards, List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - Streetwannabe's, List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - The army, List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - Avenging Angels

Read more here: » List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series: Encyclopedia II - List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - Other gangs

Apart from street gangs, there are motorcycle gangs (such as Hells Angels, the Gypsy Jokers, Mongols, Vagos, etc.), as well as other clubs that might be designated as gangs based around other shared hobbies or activities. These gangs tend to go international with their activities as soon as they can. The Crips in Los Angeles are famous for bringing their terror in a similar fashion to other cities around the world such as New ...

See also:

Gang, Gang - Gang Activities, Gang - Gang identification, Gang - Gang types, Gang - Gang members, Gang - Gang warfare

Read more here: » Gang: Encyclopedia II - Gang - Gang types

List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - The Leones. Gang type: La Cosa Nostra Family Appearances: GTA III, GTA:SA, GTA:LCS Turf: Saint Mark's, Portland, Liberty City; Red Light District, Portland, Liberty City (1998 - ?); Hepburn Heights, Portland, Liberty City (1998 - 2001); Chinatown, Portland, Liberty City (? - 1998); Gang car: Mafia Sentinel (GTA III)/Leone Sentinel (GTA:LCS) Fronts: Ciprian ...

See also:

List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series, List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - Sicilian/Italian-American gangs, List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - The Leones, List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - The Forellis, List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - The Sindaccos, List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - Vercetti gang/crime ring, List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - Sicilian Mafia, List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - African-American gangs, List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - Southside Hoods, List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - Grove Street Families, List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - Ballas, List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - Asian gangs, List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - Liberty City Triads, List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - San Fierro Triads, List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - Liberty City Yakuza, List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - Russian Mafia, List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - Da Nang Boys, List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - Hispanic gangs, List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - Colombian Cartel, List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - Diablos, List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - Diaz's gang, List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - Cubans, List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - Los Santos Vagos, List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - Varrios Los Aztecas, List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - San Fierro Rifa, List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - Afro-Caribbean gangs, List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - Uptown Yardies, List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - Haitians, List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - Other gangs, List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - Bikers, List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - Golfers, List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - Security guards, List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - Streetwannabe's, List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - The army, List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - Avenging Angels

Read more here: » List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series: Encyclopedia II - List of gangs in Grand Theft Auto series - Sicilian/Italian-American gangs