What is the origin of the name 'Yakuza'?

The name Yakuza meaning Japanese gangsters comes from "893" (yattsu, ku, san). This name originates from a card game called oichokabu (おいちょかぶ), which is usually played with a deck of hanafuda (花札) "flower cards". read more

The name Yakuza meaning Japanese gangsters comes from "893" (yattsu, ku, san). This name originates from a card game called oichokabu (おいちょかぶ), which is usually played with a deck of hanafuda (花札) "flower cards". read more

Despite uncertainty about the single origin of yakuza organizations, most modern yakuza derive from two classifications which emerged in the mid-Edo period (1603–1868): tekiya, those who primarily peddled illicit, stolen or shoddy goods; and bakuto, those who were involved in or participated in gambling. read more

八九三 ya-ku-za There are many ways to pronounce numbers in Japanese, and ya-ku-za can be 8-9-3. This was the worst possible hand to get in a certain Japanese card game that was frequently gambled over (yakuza often being involved in gambling). read more