Who are the Yakuza? Take a glimpse of the Japanese mafia and learn about the tattoo culture of the criminal underclass. Explore the legendary Yakuza influence on the world of ink and society at large, and learn about irezumi, popular motifs, and different types of Japanese pieces. 

At this point, the Yakuza have become permanently incorporated into the cultural lexicon: Japan’s extraordinary underworld and their distinct tattoos have been featured in more than half a century’s film and television, from The Simpsons to Quentin Tarantino’s Kill Bill. 

While these vibrantly inked hooligans have been depicted across Japanese culture in a variety of different ways, they remain a very real group of criminals. The word Yakuza still strikes fear amongst the populace in Japan and around the world. 

As famous for their criminal exploits and ruthless nature as much as for their vivid body art, the Japan’s Criminal underworld has fascinated more law-abiding people since the end of World War II. This piece will examine the unique tattoo culture of the Yakuza, but in order to understand their devotion to tattoo art we must first understand the origins of this powerful criminal syndicate. 

What are the Yakuza?

Image: Leo U via Flickr CC By –NC 2.0 

The Yakuza criminal organization originated in Japan. Known for ruthlessly enforced codes of conduct, Yakuza gang members are involved in a variety of different criminal enterprises, from gambling and extortion to kidnapping and murder. During the 1960’s, at the height of their activity, Japanese police estimated the total Yakuza membership at more than 200,000. Despite lower numbers and dwindling membership in recent years, the Yakuza remains criminally active both domestically and abroad. 

Their highly regimented organizational structure and several unique practices, like yubitsume —the act of amputating the little finger of the left hand as punishment or atonement—set these gangsters apart from other criminal groups.