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

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

Yakuza - Structure. During the formation of the yakuza, they adopted the traditional Japanese hierarchical structure of oyabun-kobun where kobun (children) owe their allegiance to the oyabun (father). In a much later period, the code of "jingi" (justice and duty) was developed where loyalty and respect are a way of life. The oyabun-kobun relationship is formalized by ceremonial sharing of sake from a single cup. This ritual is not exclusive to the yakuza -- it is also commo ...

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