Systems · Societal/ Cultural · General
Yakuza Ranking System
The standard system of ranking within a Yakuza syndicate.
Wakashu - "Young Man," the rank and file of the syndicate.
Shatei - "Younger Brother," junior bosses of individual gangs.
Kyodai - "Big Brother," senior bosses of individual gangs.
Shateigashira-hosa - underlings of the shateigashira.
Shateigashira - Number three man, the third in command of the syndicate.
Wakagashira-hosa - underlings of the wakagashira.
Fuku-honbucho - An assistant chief to the wakagashira.
Wakagashira - Number Two man, the second in command of the syndicate.
Kaikei - Accountants, subordinate to the Saiko-komon.
Kumicho Hisho - Kumicho's secretaries, subordinate to the Saiko-komon.
Shingiin - Counselor, subordinate to the Saiko-komon.
Komon - Advisor, subordinate to the Saiko-komon.
So-honbucho - Headquarters chief, subordinate to the Saiko-komon.
Saiko-komon - Senior Advisor, the primary administrative assistant to the Oyabun.
Oyabun (or Kumicho) - Supreme Boss or Family Head, the leader of a Yakuza syndicate.
Onee-san - "Older Sister," a recognized female within the syndicate, generally the spouse of a very senior member, who, in rare instances, will fill in for their husband within the organization.
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Now this is something you don't see every day. You don't use it either, but it does give you an idea for adapting to other cultures.
I did use it, as the Yakuza played a part in my Supers campaign on a regular basis.
Another unlikely to be used ranking list. This should have really been a codex entry, rather than a full submission. I occassionally do use the Yakuza in my own games, but havent used anything other than the Oyabun. A mob is a mob, be it an urban street gang, a sicilian mafia, or the Yakuza. The names are too hard to remember and my players really wouldnt care.
Now, it would be interesting if there were a source cited, as this could be a reference when writing yakuza based fiction.
An RP set with the PCs within the yakuza could use this as well, describing the various members that they PCs deal with and titles that they might acquire.
I know it is an old post so maybe you're not active around here anymore, but to prevent misunderstandings in the future I inform you that I will use this ranking system for a yakuza fiction I'm currently writing.
thank you. :)
Yeah, I've always been mixed on these rankings lists (Thuggees too). One one hand they're all some googling clicks away. And yet, it's kinda cool knowing I can just find them right here. All snug. :)