Yakuza is an interesting group. Japanese Mafia. They cut there pinky fingers?
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M$3 Answers
This article gives a painful description of a self-inflicted "yubizume". Reportedly performed by the perpetrator on themselves to demonstrate their willingness to accept the blame for the committed offense the saying "Yubi o tobasu" is screamed as the knuckle is cut, literally translated as "make your finger fly"
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M$
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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M$
Anytime someone gives information about an insulated group, the information is more likely to be wrong.
Graciously,
Michael
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M$
Well said once again old friend.
This is exactly right...
Buddawiggi is correct. And the reason they cut off the fingers in this manner comes from the times of the samurai. The pinky finger was the most important for controlling a sword (ring finger next and on up the hand)
So by cutting off the pinky finger they where no longer proficient at using a sword and where then dependent on their master.
So it is symbolic today (holding a gun without a pinky is still fairly effective), but has it's roots in tradition.