As a side note, the tattoos Yakuza have are not only incredibly beautiful and intricate, but they also let other Yakuza know what clan they are with.

They keep their tattoos covered in public as tattoos in Japan are a mark of the outlaw - in fact, in the old feudal times, criminals and prisoners were tattooed so everyone knew (for life) what crime they had committed. Tattoos in Japan flourished during this time in order for these men, who were eventually released from prison, to cover their marks up in order to move on with their lives - yet the tattoos received a stigma. Today, tattoos are still VERY poorly looked upon as those men who wear them are, many times, Yakuza.

A friend of mine (a tattoo shop owner and almost completely suited) went to Japan and visited a bath house with some local friends. Unknown to him, it was also a Yakuza hang out. When some of the members arrived at the bath house later, they saw his tattoos and were NOT happy. From what he gathered, his tattoos were similar to a clan from across town; this clan was not exactly an enemy, but not exactly a friendly clan either.
He quickly and quietly left immediately after the conversation. He said he'd never been that scared in his life.

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