Why Yakuza Cut Their Fingers Off #Shorts

●Why Restricting Yakuza is Causing More Harm Than Good

The yakuza world has many unique traditions, such as the father-son cups and tattoos. Among them is "finger cutting" which is meant to express remorse when a person makes a mistake or commits a scandal. Mainly the pinky or ring fingers are cut off with a random blade after numbing it with ice water or anesthesia.

But why would cutting off a finger be an expression of remorse?

Before the Showa period (1926-1989), yakuza mainly used katana as weapons. In order to properly use/swing a katana, being able to use your pinky is important. Therefore, the act of offering something very important (=the pinky finger) as a yakuza whose profession is violence, expressed deep remorse. Only this custom remained even after the yakuza began to fight with weapons other than Japanese swords.

In recent years however, laws that restrict the activities of yakuza are getting more and more strict and an increasing number of people have been arrested for forcing their members to cut their fingers off. This custom is said to be gradually fading away because it makes it difficult for former yakuza members to return to society.

*The content is based on personal studies and experience
There is no intention of denying other theories and cultural aspects

▼Who is Shogo? What is this channel about?▼

▼Related videos in this channel▼
-Yakuza Are NOT the Original Reason Why Tattoos are Taboo
-How Samurai Trained Physically & Mentally Through Katana Training and Zen Meditation
-5 Things You Should Avoid When Drinking SAKE (Nihonshu)

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[LetsaskShogo]

●Why Restricting Yakuza is Causing More Harm Than Good

The yakuza world has many unique traditions, such as the father-son cups and tattoos. Among them is "finger cutting" which is meant to express remorse when a person makes a mistake or commits a scandal. Mainly the pinky or ring fingers are cut off with a random blade after numbing it with ice water or anesthesia.

But why would cutting off a finger be an expression of remorse?

Before the Showa period (1926-1989), yakuza mainly used katana as weapons. In order to properly use/swing a katana, being able to use your pinky is important. Therefore, the act of offering something very important (=the pinky finger) as a yakuza whose profession is violence, expressed deep remorse. Only this custom remained even after the yakuza began to fight with weapons other than Japanese swords.

In recent years however, laws that restrict the activities of yakuza are getting more and more strict and an increasing number of people have been arrested for forcing their members to cut their fingers off. This custom is said to be gradually fading away because it makes it difficult for former yakuza members to return to society.

*The content is based on personal studies and experience
There is no intention of denying other theories and cultural aspects

[blobbydigital]

It always seemed odd to make yourself so identifiable if you’re going to commit crimes.

[bailodescalza]

Without the pinkie finger, punches aren't solid either. All our fingers are important, no matter their size. Thanks for the vid😇

[GKAriell]

Yo could you imagine losing a pinky in an accident? Having to go “no I swear I’m not part of the yakuza” to your job 😂

[legacypatriot]

I never understood that, I would find it counter productive as a whole limiting the member which would cause a slighter burden on the leaders.

[cherieaster]

It’s always very interesting to get a glimpse into other countries’ many cultures. Thank you for sharing!

[thedragonofechigo]

The cutting off of the finger sounds like a lighter version of Seppuku except instead of losing one's life, their finger is taken.

[tyto]

And Kuze did it on the spot, what a chad

[PaleHorseShabuShabu]

Gives new meaning to the term "give 'em the finger."

[bladerunner]

Some 20 years ago, I was mastering a game of Shadow Run. One of the players WANTED to be a Yakuza, he goofed up, his boss demanded his finger, he declined, he was dead.

[Gio-ppfj]

I didn't know they used anesthesia to do it. I guess Kuze no aniki was pretty rash

[winterace]

On a trip to Japan, I accidentally bumped into a man, having taken some lessons on both traditional and modern Japanese before the trip, I kindly apologized to the approval of our translator (who was the nicest man Ive ever met) Our translator, nodded approvingly at me then ran over and pulled me away from the man before going on an almost frantic apologetic rant to the man I bumped into. Later I kindly asked why he did that and he explained the man was clearly a Yakuza, as his tattoos matched a group that had spotted in the local area. Our translator explained he highly doubted we were in any danger, because the man said nothing and dismissed us, but he stepped in to be safe and ensure they understood we meant no harm or ill will. We returned home from the trip and I still see it as the best trip Ive ever taken.

[fire_fux]

I wanna know about the father son cups and different tattoo meanings. That would be a cool video.

[USSAnimeNCC-]

I remember seeing this in the Yakuza video games yikes man

[PancakeBaconz]

I never knew that I wanted to know the answer to this question

[LetsaskShogo]

▼Who is Shogo? What is this channel about?▼

▼Related videos in this channel▼
-Yakuza Are NOT the Original Reason Why Tattoos are Taboo
-How Samurai Trained Physically & Mentally Through Katana Training and Zen Meditation
-5 Things You Should Avoid When Drinking SAKE (Nihonshu)

▼MY DREAM▼

“To make every Japan lovers’ dream come true, by making Japan a more secure, comfortable, and safer place for everyone to visit, study, and live in”

I will be using the profit I gain from this channel at restaurants, hotels, and cultural facilities in Kyoto to introduce them. The more you watch the videos on this channel, Kyoto and Japan will become a more exciting place, and you can support your own and others’ dreams in the future even more.

▼Join our Membership▼

●Membership benefits
-Limited behind-the-scene videos
-Weekly Zoom call or live stream
-Priority reply to comments

▼[Sub-channel] “Shogo’s Podcast”▼
Please subscribe!!

The perfect channel to learn about Japanese culture and history in your spare time, during your walk to school or work, and when you are cooking or doing house chores.

Not only will I be covering the topics in this main channel, but also some topics that you will only be able to enjoy in the sub-channel, like answering questions I receive, and my opinions towards some of the comments.

▼[Listen to the real voices of the Japanese] "Voices from Japan series"▼

▼[Places recommended to visit in Kyoto] "Kyoto Hidden Gems" series▼

▼Instagram▼
*Please ask me questions through the DM here!（⚠️I do not use e-mail）

[sprinkles]

speaking of fingers. im wondering how his health is doing. i can see that he still has them all and he's still uploading so i'm glad

[christopheredwards]

I imagined at first, when you asked the question, was because it was painful and made daily life more difficult. Turns out I was half-right

[sigtryggrr]

Okay, first guy's back is so sick

[uwu.]

for some it might not be important, but thank you for the subtitles! I'm learning english intensively but I feel like I lack in energy sometimes after coming back from school or work and can't understand what the videos are saying, so yeah, I really appreciate the effort! thank you very much☺️