Yakuza Terminology

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1. #1Irezumi

   Keys: tattoo, remove jacket, onsen, bare back, hot spring, irezumi, spa, bathhouse, take off shirt, naked, nude, bath house, meaning of tattoo, yakuza tattoo, shirtless, pool

   Irezumi These are not mere decorations; they are a visual representation of a person's identity, creed, and life story, often taking hundreds of hours to complete. They are typically kept hidden under clothing in public.

   Tattoos in Japan are solely worn by the yakuza and those close to them, such as girlfriends or daughters. It is the sign of a criminal to those who see it. Yakuza only show their tattoos to each other or lovers.

   Many establishments in Japan ban people with tattoos from entering if the tattoo is visible or will become visible during services. Pools, spas, hot springs and bath houses that allow yakuza are rare for this reason.

2. #2Oyabun

   Keys: leader, oyabun, the old man, patriarch, boss, head of the family, family head, oyaji

   Oyabun The absolute leader of a yakuza family. The Patriarch. This is a formal title used when speaking about the boss or in a very formal setting. Oyaji is an affectionate and respectful term used to address one's own Oyabun directly. It is less formal than Oyabun but shows deep loyalty and a personal connection. A subordinate would almost always call their boss Oyaji to his face.

3. #3Chairman

   Keys: clan leader, chairman, chair, Chairman, big boss, Kaicho, supreme leader, head of the Tojo, Chair, head of the Omi

   Kaicho A title for the Chairman, the supreme leader of an entire Clan or Alliance, like the Tojo Clan or Omi Alliance. This person is the leader of all the other patriarchs within the organization.

4. #4Wakagashira

   Keys: right hand man, second in command, underboss, captain, Lieutenant, first lieutenant, number two, Wakagashira, Boss

   Wakagashira The First Lieutenant, the second in command of a Family. The Wakagashira is the busiest man in the yakuza, directly overseeing the family's daily operations and enforcing the Patriarch's will. This is a position of immense power and responsibility.

5. #5Kyodai

   Keys: oath brother, brother, Kyodai, sworn brother, blood brother, sake oath, brotherhood

   Kyodai A fundamental concept in the yakuza world. It is a formal, ritual bond between two yakuza members, sealed by a sake ceremony, that makes them brothers. This bond is considered as strong, or even stronger, than blood. Kyodai are considered equals.

6. #6Aniki and Shatei

   Keys: shatei, big brother, elder, little brother, senior, brother, aniki, bro, junior

   Aniki A term of respect used by a junior yakuza member when addressing a senior member within the same family. It is a sign of respect for seniority and experience. The senior member is the Aniki. Forbidden to use aniki on the boss or lieutenants. Shatei The counterpart to Aniki. It refers to a junior member in a relationship with a senior. If someone is your Shatei, you are their Aniki.

7. #7Women in the Yakuza

   Keys: girlfriend, daughter, sister, mother, matriarch, woman, female, mistress, women, wife

   Women are not generally respected in the yakuza. They are not put into positions of power. Women in positions of power are usually interrim heads of a family until a new one can be assigned.

   They are attached to their husband's or father's power so long as the man allows it. Favored Mistresses may also call on their man's position to get respect from lower members.

8. #8Kobun

   Keys: the boys, wakagashira, underling, enforcer, patriarch, the men, soldier, kobun, my men, made man, underlings

   Kobun A formally inducted soldier or "made man" in a yakuza family. Anyone who has performed the Sakazuki ceremony with the Oyabun is a Kobun. It can refer to a single member or the members collectively.

9. #9Dogeza

   Keys: bow to the floor, kowtow, dogeza, prostrate

   A dogeza involves kneeling directly on the ground and bowing to prostrate oneself while touching one's head to the floor. It is used to show deference to a person of higher status, as a deep apology or to express the desire for a favor from said person.

10. #10Yubitsume

    Keys: finger removal, punishment, missing fingers, torture, finger cutting, yubitsume

    Yubitsume The ritual act of self-mutilation, specifically cutting off a portion of one's little finger, as a profound apology for a serious failure or transgression. The severed finger is wrapped in cloth and presented to the Oyabun. It is the ultimate gesture of atonement.

11. #11Sakazuki Ceremony

    Keys: new member, Joining the yakuza, join a family, sakazuki, Induction, sake

    The Sakazuki is the most sacred ritual in the yakuza world. It is a formal ceremony where an aspiring member drinks a shared cup of sake with a patriarch (Oyabun), symbolizing the creation of a binding, lifelong father-son (Oyabun-Kobun) relationship. By performing this ritual, the new recruit (Kobun) forsakes their blood family and pledges absolute loyalty, and even their life, to their new yakuza family. Symbolism & Meaning: Sake as Blood: The shared sake symbolizes a blood oath. By drinking from the same cup, their "blood" is now mixed, and they are family. Hierarchy in the Cup: The Oyabun only drinks a small portion of the sake. The cup is then given to the Kobun, who must drink the rest. This symbolizes the hierarchy: the father's share is small and symbolic, while the son's share is large, representing the greater burden of service and loyalty he owes. The Vow: The ceremony is an unbreakable contract. Breaking the vow is the ultimate disgrace, punishable by expulsion or death.

12. #12Yakuza Wedding

    Keys: proposal, wedding, proposing, married, marriage, engaged, proposed, engagement

    A yakuza wedding is not just a marriage between two people, but a formal alliance between two families (or a family and a civilian). While it can be a loving union, it is often a strategic event. The ceremony is visually similar to a traditional Shinto wedding and uses a sake-sharing ritual called San San Kudo. Symbolism & Meaning: San San Kudo (Three-Times-Three): This is the core of the ceremony. The bride and groom sip from three different-sized cups, three times each. The number three is lucky in Japanese culture. The sips represent the union of the couple, the union of their two families, and their shared future.

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