Yakuza

The roots of the Yakuza stretch back to the 17th-century . They primarily descended from two marginalized groups:

Professional gamblers who operated in clandestine dens. yakuza

The very name "Yakuza" reflects these gambling roots. It comes from the numbers (ya-ku-sa), the worst possible hand in a traditional card game called Oicho-Kabu . By adopting this name, members identified themselves as the "worthless" or "losing" hands of society—outcasts who forged their own path. Yakuza | Law | Research Starters - EBSCO The roots of the Yakuza stretch back to the 17th-century

Itinerant street peddlers who sold illicit or shoddy goods at festivals and markets. It comes from the numbers (ya-ku-sa), the worst

The Shadow of the Rising Sun: Understanding the Yakuza For centuries, the have occupied a unique space in Japanese society—somewhere between mythic outlaws and corporate-style syndicates. Known formally by the Japanese police as bōryokudan ("violence groups"), these organizations are famous for their strict codes of honor, elaborate full-body tattoos, and ritualistic self-punishment.

But the modern era is rapidly changing this ancient underworld. As of 2025, Yakuza membership has plummeted to a record low of approximately 18,800, down from a peak of over 184,000 in the 1960s. 1. Origins: From Gamblers to Outcasts