Hello, dear Stopgame blog readers. Just recently I completed all the main parts of the Yakuza series of games. For me, like many other players, it was interesting to learn the symbolism and meaning of character tattoos.
Having read the articles in detail, having studied some symbolisms in Japanese and Chinese culture, I can confidently tell you about the hidden meanings of character tattoos in the Yakuza series of games! Let’s go!
Japanese attitude towards tattoos
To begin with, it is worth talking about the attitude of the Japanese state towards tattoos.
Irezumi (入れ墨, also known as traditional Japanese tattoo) was used for decorative and spiritual purposes during the Jomon period. Already during the Kofun period, tattoos began to be used as punishment for a criminal, which began to have a dark connotation for tattoos. And since the Meiji period, the Japanese government has officially outlawed tattoos, as they are associated with crime. To this day, Japan maintains the belief that tattooed people are criminals, hooligans, or Yakuza.
Of course, this look has already begun to lose relevance and most young Japanese can get a tattoo as a sign of fashion or beauty.
However, not all establishments (hotels, swimming pools, gyms, spas, etc.).e) they allow tattooed guests so as not to scare tourists and ordinary people with criminal elements. Sometimes people with tattoos are allowed, but on the condition that they hide this beauty with the help of special stickers.
Our heroes, proud representatives of Japanese gangsters and like any self-respecting member of the Yakuza, they have tattoos and their meanings, I’ll tell you.
Part 1: Protagonists and positive characters
Back tattoo
Legendary Dragon of Dojima, Fourth Chairman of the Tojo Clan, Head of the Orphanage in Okinawa, all these titles belong to the main character of the series – Kazuma Kiryu.
On Kiryu’s back is a Dragon with gray, red and white colors holding a pearl – in Japanese culture it means strength, wisdom, balance and protection. There is also a hieroglyph on it indicating the year of the monkey according to the Chinese calendar – 1968 (the year of birth of the protagonist)
According to Japanese mythology, dragons are proud and fierce warriors, excellent fighters and protectors of humanity. This all fits with Kiryu’s character. He is a wise man, capable of coming to the rescue, appreciating and protecting his comrades, as well as a warrior who can guide his opponents to the true path (Rikkiya from part 3 or the bandits from Hiroshima in part 6).
The colors of the tattoo are a reference to Kiryu’s signature costume, and the silver color of the dragon represents purity of heart and thoughts.
It is worth noting that in part 0 of the series, Kiryu, like Nishiki, has only the outlines of tattoos on his back, and unfinished options.
Back tattoo
Mad Dog Shimano, Lord of the Night and one of the most unpredictable bandits in the game – Goro Majima.
On his back and forearms is a white Hannya mask and snakes. In Japanese theaters, the Hannya mask was worn by women to show a girl consumed by a demon of rage or jealousy. The mask itself blurs into a devilish grin, however, if you tilt it, then due to the sloping eyebrows, the mask takes the shape of an inconsolably crying face.
Hunny’s mask comes in two different colors: Red and White. Red ones were for ordinary commoners, but white ones depicted deities or lords.
The mask itself is in a central position and has an evil grin, besides, no matter which way you look at it, we will see this crazy look.
There is another interpretation that the mask represents duplicity, which we can observe. On the one hand, there is the crazy side, which only requires blood, spectacle and battle. And the other shows how a person suffers from his inferiority and internal demons.
The word “Hannya” itself can be translated as “Wisdom”. And it fits well with Majima in part 0. After all, thanks to his intelligence, he helped make the cabaret club the most popular place in Sotenbori and avoid fights.
As for snakes, they represent immortality. In Japan, it is generally accepted that snakes are immortal. However, in Majima, snakes are drawn together with spring flowers – they represent the fleeting nature of life. Majima came close to death many times throughout the series, but he always survived.
Based on all this, we can conclude that at first Majima tried to be correct and obey orders, sacrificing his own dignity and suffering humiliation, but his cup of patience was overflowing and he began to live as he wanted, not obeying anyone’s orders and living every day like his last.
Taiga "18 Bullets" Saejima – Majima’s blood brother, fearless warrior and friend of Kiryu.
On Taiga’s back is a Roaring Tiger https://grandbay-casino.co.uk/withdrawal/ surrounded by bamboo grass. This immediately means that Taiga is the opposite of Kiryu (even though they are friends). The symbol of the Tiger and Dragon, in Chinese culture, are symbols of eternal confrontation, as they represent different symbols of strength. The Tiger is assertive and aggressive, and the Dragon is wise and patient. Taiga, like Kiryu, had to fight more than once. In both parts 4 and 5, Kiryu and Saejima fought with each other, but in their confrontation there was no winner.
Tiger Taiga is the personification of courage, fearlessness and military prowess, which suits Saejima.
Rikkiya, a member of the Nakahara family who had a negative attitude towards Kiryu, but after a preventive measure called "Beating the Upstart", Rikkiya became a loyal friend to Kiryu.
Rikkiya’s tattoo is the Yellow-Green Keffiyeh, a poisonous viper from Okinawa. There are a lot of poisonous snakes in Okinawa and therefore they make all sorts of exotic products, medicines, etc. d. The guy is very proud that he was born in Okinawa and tries to show it to everyone.
At the time of the fight with Kiryu, Rikkiya has an unfinished tattoo – the snake has no eyes, since the master died. And, with Kiryu’s help, you can help finish it by introducing the guy to your Master Utabori.
Nakahara is the head of his own family in Okinawa and the boss of Mitsuo and Rikkiya. Like Rikkiya, he was also hostile towards Kiryu, but after information that our hero was the Fourth Chairman of the Tojo Clan, he tied the bond of brotherhood by drinking Sake with him.
On Nakahara’s back is an image of Sisa, a hybrid of a Lion and a Dog. Mythology says that Sisa protects against evil spirits. Usually, statues of Sisa are placed in pairs – one with an open mouth and scares away evil spirits, and the other grins, thereby supporting the Power of the Spirit.
Well, the tattoo also depicts Hibiscus flowers – the symbol of Okinawa.
The sixth chairman of the Tojo Clan and Kiryu’s ward is Daigo Dojima. The son of Sohei Dojima, whose murder Kiryu took upon himself and went to prison for 10 years. Daigo was offended by Kiryu and distanced himself from his mother and clan. But Kiryu’s powers of persuasion (and fists) helped bring Daigo back into the clan and make him the 6th Chairman.
Daigo’s tattoo depicts Fudo Myo – a wrathful protector deity who protects people from demons and is the strongest of protectors. His face depicts anger, which eliminates ignorance and unbelief, and his sword is entwined with a dragon. And the fire behind the deity means purification by fire.
This all suits the character well. Since childhood, Daigo knew about the dark affairs of the clan and his father, but showed indifference to it. Having become chairman, Daigo tries in every way to clear the name of the clan and restore it to its former reputation, and Kiryu helps him with this.
New protagonist of the series, starting from part 7. A good-natured guy, a Dragon Quest fan and a very loyal friend.
Ichibana Tattoo – Dragon Fish. It references the legend of the fish "Koi", who must swim upstream through trials to reach the dragon gate and turn into a dragon.
Dragon fish is an intermediate state of fish, which refers to the fact that Ichiban has already shown patience and perseverance in his path, but he is still far from success. He sees Masumi Arakawa, Ichiban’s mentor, as his own dragon. There is another character, but more about him later.
I found another interpretation on one of the sites. It says that the dragon fish means the nobility and strength of a person who will not resolve issues by force, but judiciously. This interpretation also applies to the character Ichiban.
Well, a small fact, Ichiban, unlike Nishiki and Aizawa, was able to defeat the dragon. Even two. Kiryu and another boss, about whom also a little later.
Part 2: Antagonists
Now we move on to the bad guys.
One of Dojima’s three lieutenants. He is Kiryu’s main opponent throughout Part 0. Kuze despises Kiryu and tries to break him with his attacks, but Kiryu gives him a worthy rebuff.
Tattoo Kuze – Enma or Lord of the Underworld. It is in front of him that the soul of a deceased person will be sent to hell or heaven, according to Enma’s decision. Also on Kuze’s arms are Enma’s guards – Gozu and Mezu (one with the head of a bull, the other with the head of a horse). What can be done with the analogy about “right crown and left funeral”, but this has already been used before me.
Another small detail, but Enma’s tattoo is missing his little finger, which is also reflected in Kuza, because he had to cut off his little finger for his misconduct.
Awano is the second of Dojima’s three lieutenants. His character is an extremely hot-tempered character, obsessed with luxury and money. When Majima stormed the Dojima Family’s headquarters, Awano met him and decided to give him a fight.
On Awano’s back is an image of Momotaro, a famous hero of Japanese folklore. He was born from a large peach (that’s how his name is translated as “Peach Boy”), and when he grew up, he began to travel around the islands and kill evil spirits. It’s funny, but on Awano’s back there is a demon depicted defeated by a boy, whose head resembles Hannyu (Majima). It can be assumed that Majima was supposed to lose to the powerful force of the lieutenant, but fate decreed otherwise.
Futoshi Shimano is the formidable head of his own family in the Tojo clan, of which Majima was a member.
On Shimano’s back, like Saejima’s, there is a tiger depicted. But unlike Saejima, Shimano has his own interpretation. The tiger is stuffed into the heads of families to emphasize their authority and ruthlessness. In principle, all these qualities are suitable for this character, because he intimidates his own henchmen and instills fear in them.
I put two main antagonists in one place – Nishiki (part 1) and Aizawa (part 5).
On the backs of both of them there is a “Koi” fish depicted – let me remind you that this fish in Japanese mythology must swim upstream and reach the dragon’s gate and become one.
Both fish are depicted swimming upstream, which means struggle, overcoming obstacles and the desire to achieve their goal. Both antagonists almost achieved their goals, but according to legend, the only thing left for them was to defeat the Dragon, which was Kiryu. And both characters suffered a crushing defeat against the Dragon of Dojima.
Tsuyoshi Kanda – last head of the Nishiki family. This character is shown as a preoccupied and extremely hot-tempered character.
On his back is Akane, the goddess of fun, and her nymphs on his arms and forearms. Which is enough to understand this character, because he really loves to have a good time and play with girls.
Main antagonist of part 3 of the series. Mine is shown as an extremely reserved and ambitious person, ready to do anything to get the result he wants. It was he who had the role of temporary chairman while Daigo was in a coma.
On Mine’s back is depicted Kirin, a deer with the head of a dragon. It signifies luck, quiet, invisible strength, ambition and respect. In mythology, the coming of Kirin means the appearance of a sage. It is out of respect (and love) for Daigo that Mine tries to rule the clan and tries to protect him.
Daisaku Minami – one of the lieutenants of the Majima family. That’s all I can say about him.
His tattoo is unusual. On one side there is a panther and flowers (sorry, I forgot the name) – they symbolize Japan. But a skull with a knife, a girl and a large inscription “Honor” (honor) – this is the symbolism of American gangs. Thus, we are shown a new generation of Yakuza.
Watase is one of the lieutenants of the Omi Alliance who wants to fight the legendary Dragon of Dojima in a fair fight and plays an important role in the plot of the game.
Watase’s back and forearms depict the Asura King fighting against Taishakuten. I didn’t find a clear formulation of this, but the tattoo of the Asura King means the fight against the established system, and Watase went against Kurosawa – the head of Omi.
Another interpretation is a powerful force, as well as the search for a worthy opponent, which we see throughout the game, where Watase is trying to find a reason for a fight with Kiryu.
President of Osaka Talent and an important figure in the story of Part 5.
A Heron is painted on his back – it means restraint, peacefulness and tranquility. Katsuya throughout the game tries to solve problems peacefully and extremely condemns the barbaric methods of his subordinate Kanai.
The final boss in Kazuma Kiryu’s story. Head of the Iwami Shipyard and proud bearer of the nickname "Baby Iwami"
Iwami’s tattoo, the most insignificant compared to other antagonists. Bai Ze is a chimera with a human face, it is the wisest creature and is able to understand and speak human language. This creature is insignificant in the confrontation with the dragon, which we can see in the final game.
Sawashiro at RGG Online
Joe Sawashiro is one of the antagonists in Part 7 and the final boss in the mobile game Ryu Ga Gotuku Online. Unfortunately, Sawashiro doesn’t show us his tattoo in part 7, so I’ll use the mobile game as a basis.
Just like Ichiban, Joe has a Dragon Fish on his back. That is, the character has also come a long way to achieve his goal, but the road is still long. Unlike Ichiban, Joe has a different interpretation – anger, anger, contempt. This is exactly how you can describe Joe’s attitude towards Ichiban. But what connects them, they both see in the form of a dragon – Masumi Arakawa. They both respect and honor him.
Well, for the finale, the same dragons as our heroes (Kiryu and Ichiban).
Keiji Shibusawa wears a green dragon that is made in the old style (he is depicted with his eyes pulled out). The green color of the dragon symbolizes harmony, tranquility and is associated with the element of earth. The battle against Shibusawa is also a battle of old school gangsters versus new.
On Ryuji’s back there is a yellow dragon. The color yellow is a symbol of war and conquest, which is what Ryuji wants to do: Break the Tojo Clan and conquer Kamorucho. Another interpretation, a hot-tempered and extremely complex character, which also suits Ryuji.
And finally, Yosuke Tendo. On his back is a Dragon with red and blue flowers. Red is the element of fire and means strength, but blue means longevity and eternal life. Most likely, even long after the end of his boxing career, Tendo still remembers his power and, with the great passion of a seasoned boxer, tries to defeat Ichiban and his friends.
Well, I’ve sorted out all sorts of character tattoos in the Yakuza series of games. If I made a mistake somewhere or forgot to mention someone, feel free to write about it in the comments. Thank you for reading this blog!