By: Anjali ARUMUGANAMBI
Featured Image is a photograph by xabi etcheverry (Portfolio: https://xabietcheverry.net/categorie-produit/japan/)
Context: Taken in Kabukichō (Japanese: 歌舞伎町; romanization:Kabuki-chō – home to may host(ess) clubs love hotels, nightclubs, brothels, maid services, school-girls-for-sale, bars etc. is an entertainment district in Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan. Kabuki-chō is often called the “Sleepless Town” (眠らない街, Nemuranai Machi).
Today, the yakuza are speculated to have come from a plethora of different sources. In this article we will discuss a couple of the existing theories. However it is important to note that while there is no historical consensus (many police, historians, investigative journalists, and others concerned in the matter have uncovered various leads, unfortunately, they have remained unable to come to a unanimous decision), all theories do have a certain plausibility to them: Either coinciding with the emergence of the yakuza or being the likely roots of their current behavior, characteristics or moral code. It is also highly probable that the yakuza was made up of people coming from all the origins we will discuss, uniting people from different walks of life under similar values and common histories.
As you will see, like many criminal groups, at its most primitive form, the yakuza was a group of outcasts, who banded together in the search of a place to belong. Often, it was people from the lower realms of society, the quiet ones, who got their hands dirty and were left with nothing, that would take any chance at changing their fate. Places like brothels, gambling dens, and clubs, would become hotspots for such people. Understandably, only such places would tolerate their impoverished, unwanted existences. As a result of a system that provided no help and no aid for the starving and the poor, in these brothels, dens, and clubs, they would learn to feed off of their injustice. Here, they would learn to thrive.
2.1 The Rōnin Theory (origin theory based on background)
Japan’s pre-contemporary history is divided into four main eras: the Prehistoric, Classical (which is further divided into 3 periods, the last of which is the Heian), Feudal and Edo periods. It is during the Heian-Feudal period (as the classical Japanese society transformed culturally and politically) that we see the first yakuza-like organizations emerge, originating from a new social class established during this transition: the samurais. During the Heian period, the classical Japanese society serving under the rule of the imperial court (a governing system heavily influenced by the Chinese) realized a decline in power, and found themselves unable to offer military protection to the citizens anymore. As a result, owners of shōen (fields or manors), such as farmers, laborers, merchants (daimyo and shogun), etc. organized armies of samurai in order to protect themselves against enemies and bandits.
Samurai were rampant during Feudal Japan from the 8th to the 15th century. During this period, each child of a samurai family would be expected to follow in their father’s footsteps. Children would spend their childhood training various martial arts such as Kenjutsu (sword), Kyujutsu (bow and arrow), Sojutsu (spear), Naginatajutsu (halberd), etc. Strong moral codes would also be taught, creating warriors with unwavering loyalty, absolute discipline, and indifference to pain. Samurai families often enjoyed many privileges coming from their attachment to the wealthy classes and were even permitted legal rights to exploit those of the lower classes.
However as the twilight of this period approached, peace would become the norm, and the services of samurai became increasingly unnecessary. Feudal Japan would be succeeded by the Edo period which would later come to be known as a peaceful period in Japanese history, under the rule of the Tokugawa Shogunate, a military government. The name “Tokugawa” comes from a man named Tokugawa Leyasu, the founder of the Shogunate, and hence honorably named the “first shogun”. Alternatively, it is also referred to as the Edo period, named after the Edo castle in the city of Tokyo (formerly Edo) in which the shogunate resided. Due to this continuous peace, the samurai forces were gradually dissolved, and former members would be cast off jobless (called “rōnin” – samurais without a lord or master). As their stars would dictate, these men would transform into other occupations. Some would return to their masters and take up bureaucratic and administrative tasks. Others would become scholars or philosophers, using their teachings of moral code and human lifestyle. Unfortunately the majority of the rōnin would become wandering troublemakers or bandits, known as the “Kabukimono”.
This theory coincides historically with the emergence of the yakuza, and convincingly explains the origin of the strict code of honor adhered to by yakuza members today (it closely mimics the code by which the samurai were trained in their martial art.) Moreover, this background provides an explanation for the yakuza’s violent tendencies. As a result of their samurai background, these rōnin lacked training in trade or artisanry and by extension possessed no honest means of make a living. Violence was the only method known to them in order to provide for themselves.
2.1.1 Kabukimono – an extension on the rōnin theory
Etymology of kabukimono: (Kanji: 傾奇者- Meaning: eccentric person/the crazy ones) or synonymously, hatamoto yakko (Kanji: 旗本奴. 旗本 – (hatamoto) – shogunal vassal/high ranking samurai; 奴 (yakko) – guy – Meaning: hatamoto-yakko refers to men who have fallen from former, honorable occupations.). The kabukimono were descendants of rōnin (who were descendants of samurai bandits).
As their protective services were no longer required, the kabukimono wandered around aimlessly, eventually forming the first street gangs and clans. They would engage in criminal activity and would be known to terrorize defenseless citizens by committing crimes and misdeeds such as not paying at restaurants, robbing townsfolk, and even going to the extent of attacking common folk to test a new sword, or simply for the hell of it.
The kabukimono were often known to dress in flamboyant clothing, disregarding traditional colors. Activities such as wrestling, gambling, loud singing, and dancing in the streets were also common, as was fighting between gangs after dark. However, unlike common criminal groups, the kabukimono had an unwavering loyalty to each other, putting their lives on the line to protect each other, even against their own family. The yakuza code would later adopt this, describing strict loyalty and brotherhood amongst the members. This philosophy would attract people running away from violent relationships and the children of many abusive households.
2.1.2 Machiyakko – an extension on the rōnin theory
Machiyakko (町奴 – private police) referred to the social outcasts of feudal japan, residents of the lowest class. This group concerns the opponents of samurai descendants, including those who fought against the terror wreaked by the kabukimono. It was a band of the lowest members of society, including people such as labor agents, clerks, shopkeepers, innkeepers, laborers, merchants, etc. Even the rare homeless warriors who could not afford protection. Although this group consisted primarily of people who opposed the kabukimono, both groups were known for their adept gambling and frequenting of brothels. This would cause for the development of strong relationships amongst the machiyakko. In some cases, these relationships would even be extended to the kabukimono, leading to a similar code of loyalty and brotherhood amongst and between both groups.
Continued in Part 2
