Candid Yakuza

September 29, 2015 7:09 PM

In 2011 a Belgian photographer was allowed entry into one of Japan’s Yakuza families. Over two years, he captured the lives of those living in the underworld. In 2015 The economist created a short film about that project.

Previous Metafilter Post on the subject.

Artist's website (includes photos).
More images.
Book leaf through, with a neat soundtrack.
Interview with the creator.

posted by pyro979 (6 comments total)

From the Interview link:

I was with the kaichou when he got a second tattoo. The gang had just entered into an alliance with another family, so as a show of loyalty he had his original full-body tattoo burned off with hot coals and replaced with a new tattoo.

Whoa.
posted by nevercalm at 7:23 PM on September 29, 2015 [4 favorites]

Oh man I want that book but it's been sold out since 2011.
posted by deadbilly at 8:17 PM on September 29, 2015 [1 favorite]

yeah, I just had a short, frustrating hunt for a used copy. I didn't even find an absurdly over-priced one!
posted by temancl at 10:06 PM on September 29, 2015

...he had his original full-body tattoo burned off with hot coals and replaced with a new tattoo.

Third-degree burns all over his body followed by more tattooing? That seems...unlikely.
posted by The Tensor at 10:47 PM on September 29, 2015 [10 favorites]

Third-degree burns all over his body followed by more tattooing?
I guess we're looking for a …

[sunglasses]

needle in a blazed back.

YEEOOW!
posted by Kabanos at 7:59 AM on September 30, 2015 [2 favorites]

needle in a blazed back

After this, you know what you need to do to regain your honor?

Make like a happy customer at a manacurist's and leave a sizeable finger tip.
posted by zippy at 8:52 AM on September 30, 2015 [1 favorite]