Difference between revisions of "Yakuza"

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{{Update Needed|[[Heir to the Dragon]]}}
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| Type = Criminal Organizations
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| Parent Organization = [[Draconis Combine]]
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==Overview==
 
==Overview==
As a shadow of the society, the  gumis do their business without fear of reprisal howlong they do not affected the interestes of other highrangings circles.
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A shadowy criminal society, the '''Yakuza''' operate in the [[Draconis Combine]] and its former territories, including the [[Rasalhague Dominion]]. Like the [[Mafia]] they trace their roots back to [[Terra]], though they have maintained their Japanese heritage despite absorbing a number of other mob-type enterprises over the years.  As such, membership in the yakuza is slanted towards males of Asian descent, though women and other ethnic groups have joined and advanced in rank during the [[thirty-first century]].<ref name=CBC>''Classic BattleTech Companion'', p. 214</ref><ref name=HHK>''Handbook: House Kurita'', p. 134</ref>
  
==Place==
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The yakuza engage in a variety of criminal enterprises - gambling, racketeering, smuggling - but operate on a code of honor similar to ''bushido''.  Street-level crimes are avoided out of respect for the common man, and rival groups are more likely to work out conflict through a peaceful meeting.  A major breach of honor will require an act of ''seppuku'' to atone for one's crimes, though minor offenses are punished by ''yubitusme'', or the severing of a fingertip. Rewards for successful service come in the form of ''irezumi'', or ritual tattoos, which grow more elaborate and cover more of a person's body as they advance rank.<ref name=CBC/><ref name=HHK/>
They operated in the Draconis Combine and the former parts of the state to. This includes the FFR and the Dominion.
 
  
==Business==
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Criminals like the yakuza have traditionally been numbered among the Unproductives, the undesirables of Kuritan society along with beggars and disgraced members of other classes.<ref>''Handbook: House Kurita'', p. 134</ref> However, many believe they gained a level of legitimacy after the reforms of [[Theodore Kurita (31st c.)|Theordore Kurita]] allowed them to join the [[Draconis Combine Mustered Soldiery]], an honor which increased their loyalty to the Chrysanthemum Throne.  Many yakuza saw themselves as the invisible heartbeat of the realm, providing aid to civilians on occupied worlds and offering a valuable source of intelligence to the security services.  The increased stature of the yakuza however also helped to motivate the activities and recruitment of the [[Black Dragon Society]], which saw such criminals as incapable of honor or truly serving the Dragon.<ref name=HHK/>
:=> gambling <ref> Classicbattletech p.214  </ref>
 
:=> blackmail
 
:=> racketeering
 
:=> smuggling all kinds of goods
 
  
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===Organization===
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The yakuza are organized into ''gumi'' (clans) along feudal lines.  The head of each clan is the ''kumicho'' or supreme boss, sometimes affectionately known as the ''oyabun'' or father figure.  Each ''kumicho'' is aided by an inner circle of senior officers known as ''shatei'' or younger brothers: a ''wakagashira'' (number-two man), ''so-honbucho'' (headquarters chief), ''koman'' (advisers), and ''shingiin'' (counselors).  Below the ''shatei'' are the ''wakashu'' or young men who serve as junior officers, and finally the ''kobun'' or child figures, enlistees and apprentices who provide the clan's manpower.  Lesser ''kobun'', used mainly as the clan's foot soldiers, are sometimes known as ''teppodama'' or bullets for their expendable nature.<ref name=CBC/><ref name=HHK/>  The ''gumi'' also employ ''kuromaku'' (fixers) to facilitate meetings with other groups.<ref>''A Guy Walks Into a Bar on Solaris VII...''</ref>
  
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====Known gumi====
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* ''[[Boshi-gumi]]''<ref name=HttDc66>''Heir to the Dragon'', Ch. 66</ref>
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* ''[[Hanei-gumi]]''<ref name=HttDc45>''Heir to the Dragon'', Ch. 45</ref>
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* ''[[Kereikini-gumi]]''<ref name=HttDc46>''Heir to the Dragon'', Ch. 46</ref>
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* ''[[Lagom-gumi]]''<ref name=MW5M>''MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries'', "The Strength of Tradition"</ref>
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* ''[[Ryu-gumi]]''<ref name=DotDc19>''Daughter of the Dragon'', Ch. 19</ref>
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* ''[[Ryugawa-gumi]]''<ref name=ER3052p15>''Era Report: 3052'', p. 15</ref>
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* ''[[Yoshida-gumi]]''<ref name=CNc31>''Crimson Night'', Ch. 31</ref>
  
==Hierachy==
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===Ranks===
*'''kumicho''' (supreme boss)
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*''[[Kumicho]]'' Supreme Boss or Oyabun
:the overall leader of the organization
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*''Shatei''
*'''koman''' (advisors)
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**''Wakagashira'' Number-two man
:these are the leading circle of the syndicate
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**''So-honbucho'' HQ chief
*'''shingiin''' (counselors)
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**''Koman'' Advisor
:with their special knowledge they influence the daily business
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**''Shingiin'' Counselor
*'''wakagashira''' (number-two man)
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*''[[Wakashu]]'' Junior Officers
:the second in command.
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*''[[Kobun]]'' Soldiers or Teppodama
*'''so-honbucho''' (headquarters chief)
 
:he organize the headquarter and granted access to this level which he trust.
 
*'''shatei''' (younger brothers)
 
:are the senior leaders ot the organization
 
*'''wakashu''' (young men)
 
:are the seargents of the clan
 
*'''kobun''' (child figures)
 
:is the lowest rank of the syndicate
 
*'''teppodama'''
 
:canon fodder in times of gang wars
 
  
==Influence==
 
==Connections==
 
===Low Level===
 
The lower ranks are mistruste every unknown persons. When ask they help only persons how woluld not interference with the business of the clan. Treachery is treated with fierce brutality.
 
===Medium Level===
 
At this level the clan member offer their service for an astronomical sum in form of a gift. With such a behavior the gumi risk little and can earn many.
 
===High Level===
 
These are the leaders of the syndicate. Careful negotiations are the change to survive such meetings. They will only put their support behind a business if they have the right arguments.
 
 
==References==
 
==References==
 
<references />
 
<references />
 
==Bibliography==
 
==Bibliography==
*[[Classic BattleTech Companion]]
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* ''[[A Guy Walks Into a Bar on Solaris VII...]]''
[[Category: Organizations]]
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* ''[[Black Dragon (novel)|Black Dragon]]'' (novel)
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* ''[[Classic BattleTech Companion]]''
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* ''[[Crimson Night]]'' (novel)
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* ''[[Daughter of the Dragon]]'' (novel)
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* ''[[Era Report: 3052]]''
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* ''[[Handbook: House Kurita]]''
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* ''[[Heir to the Dragon]]'' (novel)
 +
 
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[[Category:Criminal Organizations]]

Revision as of 18:52, 23 December 2022

Yakuza
Organization Profile
Type Criminal Organizations
Parent Organization Draconis Combine

Overview

A shadowy criminal society, the Yakuza operate in the Draconis Combine and its former territories, including the Rasalhague Dominion. Like the Mafia they trace their roots back to Terra, though they have maintained their Japanese heritage despite absorbing a number of other mob-type enterprises over the years. As such, membership in the yakuza is slanted towards males of Asian descent, though women and other ethnic groups have joined and advanced in rank during the thirty-first century.[1][2]

The yakuza engage in a variety of criminal enterprises - gambling, racketeering, smuggling - but operate on a code of honor similar to bushido. Street-level crimes are avoided out of respect for the common man, and rival groups are more likely to work out conflict through a peaceful meeting. A major breach of honor will require an act of seppuku to atone for one's crimes, though minor offenses are punished by yubitusme, or the severing of a fingertip. Rewards for successful service come in the form of irezumi, or ritual tattoos, which grow more elaborate and cover more of a person's body as they advance rank.[1][2]

Criminals like the yakuza have traditionally been numbered among the Unproductives, the undesirables of Kuritan society along with beggars and disgraced members of other classes.[3] However, many believe they gained a level of legitimacy after the reforms of Theordore Kurita allowed them to join the Draconis Combine Mustered Soldiery, an honor which increased their loyalty to the Chrysanthemum Throne. Many yakuza saw themselves as the invisible heartbeat of the realm, providing aid to civilians on occupied worlds and offering a valuable source of intelligence to the security services. The increased stature of the yakuza however also helped to motivate the activities and recruitment of the Black Dragon Society, which saw such criminals as incapable of honor or truly serving the Dragon.[2]

Organization

The yakuza are organized into gumi (clans) along feudal lines. The head of each clan is the kumicho or supreme boss, sometimes affectionately known as the oyabun or father figure. Each kumicho is aided by an inner circle of senior officers known as shatei or younger brothers: a wakagashira (number-two man), so-honbucho (headquarters chief), koman (advisers), and shingiin (counselors). Below the shatei are the wakashu or young men who serve as junior officers, and finally the kobun or child figures, enlistees and apprentices who provide the clan's manpower. Lesser kobun, used mainly as the clan's foot soldiers, are sometimes known as teppodama or bullets for their expendable nature.[1][2] The gumi also employ kuromaku (fixers) to facilitate meetings with other groups.[4]

Known gumi

Ranks

  • Kumicho Supreme Boss or Oyabun
  • Shatei
    • Wakagashira Number-two man
    • So-honbucho HQ chief
    • Koman Advisor
    • Shingiin Counselor
  • Wakashu Junior Officers
  • Kobun Soldiers or Teppodama

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Classic BattleTech Companion, p. 214
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Handbook: House Kurita, p. 134
  3. Handbook: House Kurita, p. 134
  4. A Guy Walks Into a Bar on Solaris VII...
  5. Heir to the Dragon, Ch. 66
  6. Heir to the Dragon, Ch. 45
  7. Heir to the Dragon, Ch. 46
  8. MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries, "The Strength of Tradition"
  9. Daughter of the Dragon, Ch. 19
  10. Era Report: 3052, p. 15
  11. Crimson Night, Ch. 31

Bibliography