What Do Yakuza Tattoos Symbolize?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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The Yakuza snake is often a large back or chest piece, and it symbolizes both negative aspects such as

bad luck and poor health and positive characteristics

such as power and wisdom.

What does Kiryu Kazuma tattoo mean?

Kazuma Kiryu – Yakuza

Kazuma got his full-back dragon tattoo when joining the Yakuza criminal organisation. … The tattoo helped earn Kazuma the nickname “

the Dragon of Dojima

“. In Japanese mythology, dragons symbolise leadership, and embody yin and yang – the duality of light and dark.

Why yakuza members have tattoos?



The are crucial to yakuza members

,” according to Anton. … They're instead a “very personal depiction” of a scene from the yakuza member's life, or something symbolically important to them – which is meant to show people the attributes that person is known for.

What is the yakuza tattoo style called?

Traditional Japanese tattooing,

or irezumi

, has been intertwined with the yakuza since their inception. In the Edo period (1603 to 1868), criminals were tattooed by authorities in a practice known as bokkei, making it hard for them to reenter society and find work.

Are yakuza friendly?

The yakuza have done their best to portray a noble image within the public sphere. They dress nicely, are

respectful and talk politely

– when not trying to make money. Violence for the most part happens between gang branches or non-yakuza gangs within Japan. … The yakuza are even known to reduce some crime.

What part of the body is not tattooed by the yakuza?

Yakuza tattoos, although they cover most of the body, always stop at the wrist, ankle, and neck. Additionally, there is usually a strip on non

-tattooed area going down the middle of the chest

. The tattoos were designed this way so that they could be easily concealed under a kimono.

What is Daigo Dojima tattoo?

Daigo's tattoo depicts

Fudo Myoo, also known as Acala, defender of the Buddhist faith

. His name means “Immovable Wisdom King,” sitting upon a rock throne. The sword represents knowledge and power, while Fudo Myoo binds evil with the rope in his left hand. Fudo Myoo is surrounded by flames, which represent cleansing.

What does Yakuza mean in English?

The word yakuza (“

good for nothing

”) is believed to have derived from a worthless hand in a Japanese card game similar to baccarat or blackjack: the cards ya-ku-sa (“eight-nine-three”), when added up, give the worst possible total.

What does the symbol on Kiryu's tattoo mean?

The protagonist of the Yakuza series, Kazuma Kiryu sports a dragon tattoo on his back. This design is a

nobori-ryu (“ascending dragon”)

motif, which is prevalent in Japanese tattoos.

Why are Japanese tattoos illegal?

During this time, the Yakuza favored tattoos, for they were painful and to get one showed signs of courage and lifelong loyalty to the gang. Laws against tattoos were enforced in 1936 after the war between Japan and China broke out,

banning tattoos entirely

.

Is it disrespectful to get a dragon tattoo?

“In Chinese culture,

it is unlucky to fill in the eyes of a dragon tattoo until the tattoo is completed

, because [with the eyes being the window to the soul] the dragon will feel the pain of getting tattooed once its eyes are completed and its soul intact,” Le Fae says.

How can you tell if someone is Yakuza?

#2: How can you tell if someone is a yakuza?

Yakuza have traditionally been known to show remorse and seek atonement for an offence by amputating their finger

, commonly the little finger, in a ritual called “yubitsume.” The ritual has been portrayed in many yakuza films.

Are Yakuza friendly to foreigners?

Yes, the Yakuza Are Real (But Don't Worry)

This really shouldn't be a problem at all—the Yakuza, that is, the Japanese mafia,

tend to stay away from foreigners

(to the point where I've heard amusing stories about foreign guys scaring them off).

Can a foreigner join the Yakuza?

A gaijin in the organisation? Straight away, the strangest thing is that a foreigner – a gaijin –

gets to become a member of a Yakuza family

. Not only that, but Lowell quickly rises to become a member with key responsibilities – at one point he becomes the main boss's bodyguard.

Can Yakuza marry?

“Depending on which Yakuza you marry,

your role will vary

. The wife of the boss has a vital role in the group. She is the boss's shadow. … If the boss goes to jail, or dies, his wife takes over the group.”

Is it a bad idea to get a yakuza tattoo?

In the Edo period, criminals would get the Tokigawa symbol on the back of their necks to avoid the death penalty. But then the officials would just hack the skin off before they executed them. If you tattoo a family symbol it is a very serious crime,

almost as bad as tattooing

a first generation samurai symbol.

Rebecca Patel
Author
Rebecca Patel
Rebecca is a beauty and style expert with over 10 years of experience in the industry. She is a licensed esthetician and has worked with top brands in the beauty industry. Rebecca is passionate about helping people feel confident and beautiful in their own skin, and she uses her expertise to create informative and helpful content that educates readers on the latest trends and techniques in the beauty world.