Ain't Nothin' But Ah Gangsta Party

[LOOCH]

[LOOCH]

[PRINCIPAL CLANS]

1. Gonzaemon-gumi V [Mizu no Kuni]
Founder: Gonzaemon, "Great Dragon" Kogan (Deceased)
Current Boss Oyabun (Head Of Yakuza Operations): Kaguya, Azuma
Size: Largest syndicate with 33,000 members and 250 sub-clans.
Headquaters: Kirigakure, Shinjuku District.

2. Fujibayashi-kai II [Hi no Kuni]
Founder: Fujibayashi, "Tiger" Ishimoto (Deceased)
Current Junior Oyabun (Head Of Fire Operations): Ganjo, “Kiba” Zeruda
Size: 2^nd largest syndicate with 20,000 members and 120 sub-clans.
Headquaters: Nagoya, Tobitashinichi District.

3. Hanzo-kai II [Kaminari no Kuni]
Founder: Hanzo, "The Devil" Mishimoto
Current Junior Oyabun (Head Of Lightning Operations): Hanzo, "Black Widow" Mie
Size: 3^rd largest syndicate with 15,000 members and 175 sub-clans.
Headquaters: Sapporo, Utashinai District.

4. Deguchi-kai [Ame no Kuni]
Founder: Deguchi, "Smiley Face" Ken
Current Junior Oyabun (Head of Rain Operations): Deguchi, "Smiley Face" Ken
Size: 4^th largest syndicate with 13,000 members and 150 sub-clans
Headquaters: Amegakure, Otofuke District.


Total members: 81,000
Total Clans: 695

Primary Headquarters: Mizu no Kuni, Kirigakure
-----------------------------

[HISTORY]

The origin of the yakuza is a matter of some debate. Some feel that its members are descendents of the  kabuki-mono (crazy ones), outlandish samurai who reveled in outlandish clothing and hair styles, spoke in elaborate slang, and carried unusually long swords in their belts. It is said during an extended period of peace, the services of these samurai were no longer needed, and so they became leaderless ronin (wave men). Without the guidance of a strong hand, they eventually shifted their focus from community service to theft and mayhem. It is further noted these men migrated from Testu no Kuni to Mizu no Kuni, which now serves as Headquarters for the notorious Yakuza.

Modern yakuza members refute this theory and instead proclaim themselves to be the descendents of the machi-yokko (servants of the town) who protected Kirigakure from the wayward hatamoto-yakko. The official yakuza history portrays the group's ancestors as underdog folk heroes who stood up for the poor and the defenseless, just as Robin Hood helped the peasants of medieval England.

Current yakuza members fall under three general categories: tekiya (street peddlers), bakuto (gamblers), gurentai (hoodlums), ronin(wave men), and shinobi. The peddlers and gamblers trace their roots back to before the Great Shinobi War while the hoodlums came into existence after the Great Shinobi War when the demand for black market goods created a booming industry. Traditionally the tekiya, snake-oil salesmen, worked the fairs and markets while the bakuto worked the towns and highways. The gurentai, by contrast, modeled themselves on American gangsters of the Al Capone era, using threats and extortion to achieve their ends. After the Great Shinobi War, in the weakened state of the shinobi villages caused by the battles, the gurentai prospered, and their ranks swelled. They also brought organized crime to a new level of violence, replacing the traditional sword with jutsu. Shinobi, who after the war when peace had consumed the land had became restless, and others saw themselves as useless tools, so in order to fill this void they turned to the Yakuza lifestyle.

The yakuza are proud to be outcasts, and the word yakuza reflects the group's self-image as society's rejects. In regional dialect ya means 8, ku means 9, and sa means 3, numbers that add up to 20, which is a losing hand in the card game hana-fuda (flower cards). The yakuza are the "bad hands of society," a characterization they embrace in the same way that American bikers prominently tattoo the slogan "Born to Lose" on their biceps.

Before the Great War the Yakuza were a disorganized unit of different clans. Each was at a bloody clash with one another, with each contending for one another's territory. This battle would exist since the beginning, until an enigmatic figure would emerge. This lone man was powerful and carved a bloody path to the top, and while doing so united the infamous gangsters under a singular front. At this point the Yakuza became an efficient organized group of Mafioso, whose economic influence soon would touch everywhere both in the kingdom of clean and dirty business.

Despite taking critical hits in numbers over the years, the Yakuza still remain relevant in today's society and most importantly the criminal underworld. In fact there numbers are larger than they've ever been since the start of their recognition. Its strange how so many have forgotten their presence, but in the end, they're still there growing in strength and growing in collection.

[YAKUZA CULTURE & LIFESTYLE]

Yakuza members favor tattoos, but theirs are elaborate body murals that often cover the entire torso, front and back, as well the arms to below the elbow and the legs to mid-calf.  Naked, a fully tattooed yakuza looks like he's wearing long underwear.  Dragons, flowers, mountainous landscapes, turbulent seascapes, gang insignias and abstract designs are typical images used for yakuza body art. The application of these extensive tattoos is painful and can take hundreds of hours, but the process is considered a test of a man's mettle.

To a outsider's eye, the yakuza's 1950s rat-pack style of dress can seem comically retro.  Shiny tight-fitting suits, pointy-toed shoes and longish pomaded hair—May seem like a outlandish style of dress —but they are commonplace among the yakuza today.  Unlike other organized crime groups around the world, the yakuza have no interest in keeping a low profile.  In fact, in most country cities, yakuza social clubs and gang headquarters are clearly marked with signs and logos prominently displayed.

But despite their garish style, the yakuza cannot be taken lightly. Amongst the countries there are 81,000 active members divided into 695 families unified under one front. The yakuza's influence is more pervasive and more accepted within certain societies than others, and some yakuza sects have a firm and long-standing political alliance with certain nation’s right-wing nationalists. In addition to the typical vice crimes associated with organized crime everywhere, the yakuza are well ensconced in the corporate world. Their influence extends almost everywhere a country exists.

Yubitsume, or the cutting of one's finger, is a form of penance or apology. Upon a first offence, the transgressor must cut off the tip of his left little finger and give the severed portion to his boss. Sometimes an underboss may do this in penance to the oyabun if he wants to spare a member of his own gang from further retaliation.

Its origin stems from the traditional way of holding a Japanese sword. The bottom three fingers of each hand are used to grip the sword tightly, with the thumb and index fingers slightly loose. The removal of digits starting with the little finger moving up the hand to the index finger progressively weakens a person's sword grip.

The idea is that a person with a weak sword grip then has to rely more on the group for protection—reducing individual action. In recent years, prosthetic fingertips have been developed to disguise this distinctive appearance.

Many yakuza have full-body tattoos. These tattoos, known as irezumi, are still often "hand-poked", that is, the ink is inserted beneath the skin using non-electrical, hand-made and hand held tools with needles of sharpened bamboo or steel. The procedure is expensive and painful and can take years to complete.

When yakuza members play Oicho-Kabu cards with each other, they often remove their shirts or open them up and drape them around their waists. This allows them to display their full-body tattoos to each other. This is one of the few times that yakuza members display their tattoos to others, as they normally keep them concealed in public with long-sleeved and high-necked shirts. When new members join, they are often required to remove their trousers as well and reveal any lower body tattoos.

[HIERARCHICAL STRUCTURE]

The guiding principle of the yakuza structure is the oyabun-kobun relationship. Oyabun literally means "father role"; kobun means "child role."  When a man is accepted into the yakuza, he must accept this relationship. He must promise unquestioning loyalty and obedience to his boss. The oyabun, like any good father, is obliged to provide protection and good counsel to his children. However, as the old saying states, "If your boss says the passing crow is white, then you must agree." As the yakuza put it, a kobun must be willing to be a teppodama (bullet) for his oyabun. In a much later period, the code of jingi (仁義, 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 commonly performed in traditional Shinto weddings, and may have been a part of sworn brotherhood relationships.

Prospective yakuza come from all walks of life. The most romantic tales tell how yakuza accept sons who have been abandoned or exiled by their parents. Many yakuza start out as failed genin or rougue samurai, or as common street thugs or members of local gangs. Perhaps because of its lower socio-economic status, numerous yakuza members come from Burakumin.

Yakuza groups are headed by an oyabun or kumichō (組長, family head) who gives orders to his subordinates, the kobun. In this respect, the organization is a variation of the traditional senpai-kōhai (senior-junior) model. Members of yakuza gangs cut their family ties and transfer their loyalty to the gang boss. They refer to each other as family members - fathers and elder and younger brothers. The yakuza is populated almost entirely by men, and there are very few women involved who are called "nee-san" (姐さん older sister).

The levels of management within the yakuza structure are much more complex than your common gang. Immediately under the kumicho (supreme boss) are the saiko komon (senior adviser) and the so-honbucho (headquarters chief). The wakagashira (number-two man) is a regional boss responsible for governing many gangs; he is assisted by the fuku-honbucho, who is responsible for several gangs of his own. A lesser regional boss is a shateigashira, and he commonly has a shateigashira-hosa to assist him. A typical yakuza crime family will also have dozens of shatei (younger brothers)  and many wakashu (junior leaders).

Each member's connection is ranked by the hierarchy of sakazuki (sake sharing). Kumicho are at the top, and control various saikō-komon (最高顧問, senior advisors). The saikō-komon controls their own turfs in different areas or cities. They have their own underlings, including other underbosses, advisors, accountants and enforcers.

Those who have received sake from oyabun are part of the immediate family and ranked in terms of elder or younger brothers. However, each kobun, in turn, can offer sakazuki as oyabun to his underling to form an affiliated organization, which might in turn form lower ranked organizations.

[YAKUZA RANKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES]

While the yakuza hierarchy is simple enough once you grasp the oyabun-kobun relationship and its intricacies, it is just the beginning. Since the average yakuza organization is built similarly to a corporation, many specific ranks and positions are used to denote seniority, responsibility and influence.

Starting from the very top of the pyramid, we begin with the kumicho. As head of the family, his word is law and his actions unquestionable. All members of the family are expected to revere and obey the kumicho, and do everything in their power to ensure that he is untroubled. It is common for the kumicho to not give literal orders but instead clue his officers in on what to do. This way he cannot be directly connected to any crime, which ensures his safety should the police come knocking.

Kanbu - Yakuza Officers
Below the kumicho are the kanbu, or officers, taking the form of executives, advisers and lieutenants. The higher ranks, saiko-kanbu, are generally in close relation with the kumicho. All kanbu are allowed to form families and groups of their own, which means that hierarchies branch off from them as well.

The kumicho employs a number of advisers, komon, that assist him in matters of business, diplomacy and war. Of this little council, the head advisers, saiko-komon, are regarded as the senior members and are directly below the kumicho. Most of the administration is handled by these advisers, with help from specialists such as law advisers, shingiin, and accountants, kaikei.

Equal to the saiko-komon in rank, the so-honbucho, or headquarters chief, takes care of the family's main office and logistics. The so-honbucho prepares vehicles and plans trips, and have been known to serve as quartermasters when the organization goes to war.

The first tier of officers below the kumicho and his advisers is comprised of gashira, lieutenants. Of these, the kumicho chooses one as his second in command; this individual is referred to as the wakagashira, or first lieutenant, and is supported by a fuku-honbucho, who acts as advisor and assistant. The remaining gashira are regarded as shateigashira, second lieutenants, and operate in other areas of the organization’s territory.

Kumi-in - Yakuza Soldiers
The "working class" of the yakuza, kumi-in, soldiers, are the kobun of a gashira or other officer. They handle most everything that needs to be done; driving, manning telephones, patrolling territory, cleaning, supervising apprentices... In addition they sometimes work in one of the businesses controlled by the organization or provide protection for such venues.

This tier of the yakuza organization is the most numerous, generally forming some fifty-five percent (55%) of the total number of members. Kumi-in are not allowed to form any branching families or take initiatives without a go-ahead from their boss, making them the employees of the yakuza corporation. These are the members most commonly encountered by civilians and police.

Jun-kosei-in - Yakuza Apprentices and Partners
Being a jun-kosei-in, or trainee, is not the most exciting way of life. Long hours, little to no pay, constant pressure from above and thoughtless obedience is what can be expected by those aiming to join a yakuza family. Used for menial tasks and as tools, the jun-kosei-in have little else to do but work hard and hope to be admitted into the organization.

Normally, a jun-kosei-in is not paid but rather taken on as a volunteer of sorts. Due to the working hours being long (sometimes from six in the morning to midnight!) and there being no salary, they often live with parents, girlfriends or in one of the organization’s offices. It takes a long time to be accepted by the yakuza, and some jun-kosei-in remain in their position for over half a decade. Even after being moved up to the rank of kumi-in their salary is rarely above minimum wage.

There is, however, another group of individuals that share the "rank" of jun-kosei-in. These are the shuhensha, associates that enjoy a business relationship with the organisation while remaining outside it. The most common group within the shuhensha is the kigyo shatei, business brothers, who profit from maintaining various deals with the yakuza. They act as fronts, run legit businesses with yakuza funding, handle the economical aspect of cons and extortionist practices, and so on. Informers, black market contacts and enterprising politicians fill out the shuhensha ranks.

[REQUIREMENTS]

In the past, choice recruits came from the traditional bakuto (gambler) and tekiya (peddler) classes, but today a rebel spirit and a willingness to commit crime for an oyabun is all that is necessary to join the yakuza ranks. Most new members currently consistent of your local street punks, willing shinobi, or rouge samurai.

[INITIATION]

In the yakuza initiation ceremony, the blood is symbolized by sake (rice wine). The oyabun and the initiate sit face-to-face as their sake is prepared by azukarinin (guarantors). The sake is mixed with salt and fish scales, and then carefully poured into cups. The oyabun's cup is filled to the brim, befitting his status; the initiate gets much less. They drink a bit, then exchange cups, and each drinks from the other's cup. The kobun has then sealed his commitment to the family. From that moment on, even the kobun's wife and children must take a backseat to his obligations to his yakuza family.

[SYNDICATES]

[Mizu no Kuni]

Surname: Kaguya
Given Name: Azuma
Alias(es): ---
Clan/KG: Kaguya (Corpsebone Pathways)
Age: 29
Sex: Male
Sexual Orientation: Heterosexual
Rank: Ex-Jounin/Boss Oyabun
Birth Country: Mizu no Kuni, Kirigakure
Village: Kirigakure

Personality: His abnormal eyes set the perfect stage for a man that's very ambiguous. He is a figure that's hard to read and for obvious reasons, since he is the Boss Oyabun head of all Yakuza operations. His natural vibe is very neutral, very stoic, and Azuma seems to keep a eternal tranquility of a monk. Never has he been the type to panic and handles every situation like the artificial  intelligence of a chess program. People often find themselves unintentionally dropping their guard around the charismatic leader. But what many seem to lose sight of due to his serene nature is just how brutal the man is. They forget the Kaguya blood that swims through his circulation system. He is as bloodthirsty as a shark and is man who is intolerant of failure. When Azuma gives an order he expects favorable results and nothing else. He is a man few dare to cross and those who did have found themselves comfortably sleeping deep in beds of soil. 

[Hi no Kuni]

Surname: Ganjo
Given Name: Zeruda
Alias(es): Kiba
Clan/KG: ---         
Age: 26
Sex: Male
Sexual Orientation: Heterosexual
Rank: Samurai/Junior Oyabun
Birth Country: Tetsu no Kuni, Amagasaki
Village: Nagoya

Personality: Zeruda is a serious man about his business. He lives according to the bushido principles, well his own personal code of bushido. He is a man who lives with a strong sense of honor and respect. He strongly feels if the rules are broken, then one is to properly be punished. Carrying a warriors spirit, Zeruda is extremely violent. He lives for the thrill of battle and is always ready to draw his carnivorous katana. He holds a strong presence amongst majority of the criminal underworld and is a man who is ready to die at a moments for his Yakuza brethren. 

[Kamaniri no Kuni]

Surname: Hanzo
Given Name: Mie
Alias(es): Black Widow
Clan/KG: ---
Age: 28
Sex: Female
Sexual Orientation: Heterosexual
Rank: Junior Oyabun
Birth Country: Kaminari no Kuni, Sapporo
Village: Sapporo

Personality: Born into the gangster lifestyle, it is all Mie knows. Which is why it's a big mistake to associate her divine beauty with the typical mindset. Sure she is gentle, but that is as good as it gets. She is is a iron lady that commands her domain with a iron fist. Just like Azuma she is not fond of failure and claims she is a women that gets everything she wants. One must be very weary of Mie, the cliche saying hell hath no fury like a women's scorn is a very true reality when used to describe her. 

[Ame no Kuni]

Surname: Deguchi
Given Name: Ken
Alias(es): Smiley Face
Clan/KG: ---
Age: 23
Sex: Male
Sexual Orientation: Heterosexual
Rank: Samurai/Junior Oyabun
Birth Country: Tetsu no Kuni, Kawasaki Village
Village: Amegakure

Personality: Ken is a eccentric character and is very outspoken individual. Never the type to hold his tongue or too shy to voice his opinion. Despite the flamboyant persona, the rogue samurai is a very capable leader and when times call for him to not be his laid back free spirited self, he shifts dramatically. He loves animals, specifically felines, which is one of the reasons you will always see him with his female pet cat Hanae. Intellectually he is much smarter than what he puts on. It's not known if this is a front to disguise his true motives or if it's just apart of his authentic character. If one takes Ken likely though they could end up with the signature 'smiley face' upon there throat.

[MAKING MONEY - YAKUZA BUSINESS]

If there is one thing all criminal organizations have in common it is the almost uncanny ability to devise new ways by which to make money. The yakuza in particular are legendary for working everywhere from below street level up to corporate boardrooms. All ways of making money, be it hustling, extortion or gambling, are referred to as shinogi, an old term that roughly translates as "up against the wall". While the original meaning was to find oneself at the end of one's rope and being forced to rely on crime or dishonorable business to survive, in the world of the yakuza it has taken on a new life.

At the most basic level, yakuza engage in the traditional trades; gambling, prostitution, drugs, buying and selling illegal goods, etc. While gambling was the big source of income for early yakuza, it has since been eclipsed by the drug trade. Post-Great War was so loaded with amphetamines (originally meant to be used as combat drugs) that some yakuza groups could literally appropriate it by the metric tonne. To this day, shabu, Methedrine, remains the drug of choice among the nations; it is present in every echelon of society, as a party drug, appetite suppressant and simple pick-me-up for stressed students. Cocaine and heroin has never taken hold in the countries, due in fact to a supposed deal between the yakuza and the government, where the latter promised to turn a blind eye to the amphetamine trade if the former would keep these heavy drugs out of the nations. The yakuza have kept their word, and both cocaine and heroin remain 'luxury' drugs.

Prostitution is a dark and unpleasant side of the yakuza business. Many groups have made fortunes off of trafficking young girls from the rest of the countries, most of which are lured to the country with promises of a job or citizenship. While attempts have been made to put a stop to this modern slavery, many politicians have been implicated over the years as having taken part in trips to hotels and cruises on ships offering the company of young girls. While these accusations may be unfounded in many cases, enough evidence exists to suggest that many powerful politicians would prefer the matter of prostitution be swept under the carpet entirely.

Apart from these standard "services", the yakuza joined the rest of the nations in the hunt for liquidity during the economic revolution that shinobi villages provided. When real estate prices sky-rocketed during the development years, many yakuza turned to the landshark business, becoming known as jiageya (literally "one who drives up land prices"). Through more or less sophisticated means these entrepreneurial gentlemen acquired land for construction projects which was paid for quite handsomely. In many cases simple threatening or violent bargaining was used, but the more refined jiageya devised ingenious methods such as walking around the block with a half-dozen angry dogs all day, or, in one case, opening a chicken farm with hundreds of hens in a backyard, letting the noise and smell of waste drive the neighbors out.

As the economic bubble reached its critical point, investors' meetings all over the nation were invaded by yet another new breed of yakuza: the sokaiya, corporate blackmailers. Since most countries where honor and a good name makes or breaks your career, disturbances at official events like these investor meetings can spell disaster. The sokaiya, since being special interest investors earned access, arriving in droves at the meetings and proceeded to shout obscenities, accuse the board of various forms of corruption and generally misbehave. The panic these men created would cause the value to plummet, costing companies millions of dollars. Today, it is common practice for bigger companies to pay a neat sum to the local yakuza groups to have their sokaiya 'take the day off'.

Yakuza inspiration does not stop here, of course. Other common practices include renting out plastic plants for $500 a month, organising illegal immigrants into construction crews, running insurance scams, selling "teenage schoolgirl panties" (bought by the truckload from China and carefully spritzed with a saline solution), sending fake invoices, tricking bankrupt individuals into signing long-term loans, and, strangely enough, running completely legitimate businesses in accordance with the law. In short: if there is a way to make money, legally or illegally, there is likely an expert at it among the yakuza.

[LOOCH]

Rules for Yakuza

The 'Wakamono no Kokoroe' is set of rules that hangs in the hallways of many gang headquarters and yakuza dormitories.

[/b][/color][/ul][/blockquote][/blockquote]

[LOOCH]

Currently I am coming up with missions that will be specific to Yakuza members only and if any are interested in joining, just shoot me a PM so we can coordinate a plot. I also want the Yakuza to have influence in all shinobi villages in a PC sense.

P.S. Any ideas plot or otherwise are welcome!