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seantang | October 15, 2009 03:11 PM | in Society & Culture

Why and when did the Japanese Yakuza started to have those scary tattoos?

http://images-3.redbubble.net/img/art/size:large/view:main/219008-13-yakuza-tattoos.jpg

tags: japan , yakuza , tattoo

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romeo0830 | October 15, 2009 03:31 PM

The term Yakuza comes from a Japanese card game, Oicho-Kabu (played with hanafuda or kabufuda cards). The worst hand in the game is a set of eight, nine and three. In traditional Japanese forms of counting, these numbers are called Ya, Ku and Sa, thus the origin of the word yakuza. The yakuza took this name because the Ya-Ku-Za hand requires the most skill (at judging opponents, etc.) and, obviously, the best luck in order to win. The name was also used because it signified bad fortune, presumably for anyone who went up against the group.

17th century.

Thanks Mike !

source(s):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yakuza

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Voted as best: tealmyster

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seantang | October 17, 2009 06:13 AM

Hi Mike, please tell us more about the scary tatoos rather than the origin of Yakuza. Thanks!

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lower_back_tattoo_designs | October 31, 2009 05:34 PM

Many crime groups (or mafia) in Japan wear them. I remember reading something about paying penance by chopping the top of their fingers off! Sounds pretty crazy.

source(s):
http://www.lowerbacktattoodesignsnow.com/lower-back-tribal-tattoos/lower-ba...

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Voted "No best answer": kaiote, pellrider, shinju, topaz5433, twinpairs,