In pictures: The Yakuza

[Samurai_Jerk]

BBC News has a slide show of selected photos from Belgian photographer Anton Kusters' new Yakuza-themed photo book up on their website.

You can see more photos on Kusters' website

[gaijinpunch]

That actually looks quite dope.

[IparryU]

That actually looks quite dope.

tru dat... will def dl it when it is released

[Screwed-down Hairdo]

Kinda pisses me off to see media organizations like the BBC glamorize these people.

There isn't anything "cool" about the yakuza, no matter how good their tats are.

I know quite a few former yakuza who could paint a much more realistic picture of what it's like to be in one of these crime syndicates and it's certainly not anywhere near as pretty as Kusters' offerings.

[CrankyBastard]

Kinda pisses me off to see media organizations like the BBC glamorize these people.

There isn't anything "cool" about the yakuza, no matter how good their tats are.

I know quite a few former yakuza who could paint a much more realistic picture of what it's like to be in one of these crime syndicates and it's certainly not anywhere near as pretty as Kusters' offerings.

Even if they're DORAEMON tats?!!

[Guest]

Kinda pisses me off to see media organizations like the BBC glamorize these people.

There isn't anything "cool" about the yakuza, no matter how good their tats are.

I know quite a few former yakuza who could paint a much more realistic picture of what it's like to be in one of these crime syndicates and it's certainly not anywhere near as pretty as Kusters' offerings.

care to expand for the ignorant? all i know is what miikes and kitanos movies have to say, and thats probbably not the best to go on, though they dont glamorise they are still bias to an extent im sure

[Yokohammer]

[Coligny]

Racketeering, extortion, drug smuggling, human trafficking, violence, murder ... the yaks are thugs who prey on the weak. They attempt to maintain a cool, even noble image on the surface, otherwise how would they ever expand their ranks? But the bottom line that keeps them afloat is not pretty.

A bit like De Beers and Nike so ?

[Christoff]

tru dat... will def dl it when it is released

No doubt, keep me informed, I will give it a rip too.

[legion]

Kinda pisses me off to see media organizations like the BBC glamorize these people.

There isn't anything "cool" about the yakuza, no matter how good their tats are.

I know quite a few former yakuza who could paint a much more realistic picture of what it's like to be in one of these crime syndicates and it's certainly not anywhere near as pretty as Kusters' offerings.

plus one

[Samurai_Jerk]

Kinda pisses me off to see media organizations like the BBC glamorize these people.

There isn't anything "cool" about the yakuza, no matter how good their tats are.

I know quite a few former yakuza who could paint a much more realistic picture of what it's like to be in one of these crime syndicates and it's certainly not anywhere near as pretty as Kusters' offerings.

I kind of had the same reaction but I'm curious as to whether you feel that way about mafia movies or TV shows like "The Sopranos" as well. Or is that different because you're glamorizing actors playing mobsters and not the actual mobsters themselves?

I do tend to agree with Colingy that what gangsters do is not so different from big business or government. As a society we obviously can't allow them to operate with impunity but if you look at what they do objectively, it's hard to find a real difference other than scale.

[Screwed-down Hairdo]

I kind of had the same reaction but I'm curious as to whether you feel that way about mafia movies or TV shows like "The Sopranos" as well. Or is that different because you're glamorizing actors playing mobsters and not the actual mobsters themselves?

If something is clearly fiction, even if allegedly based on fact, I have no problem, though acknowledge that many people are affected by these kinds of shows. I'd rather they weren't dramatized, but that's only my personal opinion, and I can understand the appeal, so I aint one to judge. I think it's a different matter when you have a taxpayer-funded, internationally respected media organization glamorizing criminals.

I do tend to agree with Colingy that what gangsters do is not so different from big business or government. As a society we obviously can't allow them to operate with impunity but if you look at what they do objectively, it's hard to find a real difference other than scale.

No argument from me here. Were I in the position to pursue corporate, government or white-collar crime, I would go after it with vehemance and do everything possible to bring in harsher punishments.

[Guest]

I do tend to agree with Colingy that what gangsters do is not so different from big business or government. As a society we obviously can't allow them to operate with impunity but if you look at what they do objectively, it's hard to find a real difference other than scale.

yeah man, no matter how bad the yakuza are you cant get much worse than big business or big banks, they fuck more people and alot worse than any mobsters ever have, they are the real gangsters, and mafia and yakuza etc are a great distraction from this!

[Guest]

Racketeering, extortion, drug smuggling, human trafficking, violence, murder ... the yaks are thugs who prey on the weak. They attempt to maintain a cool, even noble image on the surface, otherwise how would they ever expand their ranks? But the bottom line that keeps them afloat is not pretty.

sounds like your average politician

[Samurai_Jerk]

[Typhoon]

[McTojo]

Kinda pisses me off to see media organizations like the BBC glamorize these people.

There isn't anything "cool" about the yakuza, no matter how good their tats are.

I know quite a few former yakuza who could paint a much more realistic picture of what it's like to be in one of these crime syndicates and it's certainly not anywhere near as pretty as Kusters' offerings.

I agree. Of all the seedy groups out there, the Yaks are my least favorite because they import the sex industry. They're in constant cahoots with seedy Chinese and Korean groups and lack principle. They don't do much to promote the positive aspects of Japan. Emperor Meiji outlawed tattoos for a reason, and then that idiot MacAurthor repealed the tattoo ban.

[ghostunit]

[tone]

[IparryU]

[Samurai_Jerk]

I agree. Of all the seedy groups out there, the Yaks are my least favorite because they import the sex industry. They're in constant cahoots with seedy Chinese and Korean groups and lack principle.

Don't forget about their strong ties with the uyoku, you dipshit.

[Taro Toporific]

Judging from this photo essay from the UK's last bastion of journalistic excellence, Bizarre magazine, the overseas recruiting efforts of the yakuza is very promising in filling the voids left by Japan's negative population growth.

Bizarre_UK_2013-page39.jpg

Bizarre_UK_2012-page 81.jpg

[Taro Toporific]

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[Coligny]

In other news... Taro re discover the "women in prison (WIP)" section of his videoclub....
(still prefer the "teacher rape" theme... most are so hillariously bad that you can't watch then without the help of a drinking game, i have to search for the titul but one of them have the main characte raped 3 times in a day without changing anything on her schedule up to shopping for milk on the way home... it's beyond unbelievable)

[Phoenix_stu]

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I AM IN LOVE! WOOHOO!!

[J.A.F.O]

Never had too many problems with yaks, not saying they are the greatest bunch they are still people though.

[yanpa]

So you have had some problems with yaks then? Do tell.

[J.A.F.O]

Not really any problems to speak of, they're around and they don't give me any hassle.

[Christoff]

show-me.gif

What film is this from?

[climb678]

I believe the film is Konketsuji Rika
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0978631/
http://www.eccentric-cinema.com/cult_mo ... 7/rica.htm
NSFW: http://scottisnotaprofessional.blogspot ... 1b2fb2e0c3