In Tokyo, the Sanja Matsuri celebrates the Yakuzas

The Yakuza festival, the Japanese mafia, in the Asakusa district

The country of the Levant Sun often has a faded reputation. While one imagines the Japanese as a serious, working, polite, respectful population, it would seem that this beautiful image of Epinal is somewhat shattered.

Indeed, in Japan there is one very powerful mafia called yakusas men acting without any scruples but possessing a powerful code of honour and a sacred respect for the citizens.

Understanding yakusas

Aunt Japan , it is possible for you to meet a member of the yakuzas without realizing it: these men tend not to be too much seen and lead an ordinary life like you and me. Only, during the third weekend of May, things are no longer the same: the yakusas come out, show themselves, unveil their torses with tattoos in an incredible festival, the Sanja Matsuri .

The Japanese mafia has between 70,000 and 90,000 members and despite the hardening of legislation, the yakuzas have a full status, which shows how they are integrated into society.

The yakusas mast

During the 3rd weekend of May, one of Japan’s largest matsuris (Japanese popular festivals and festivals), the Sanja Matsuri, attracting up to 2 million curious. This festival takes place in honour of three men who are the founders of the Buddhist temple Senso-ji, namely Hinokuma Hamanari, Hinokuma Takenari and Hajino Nakamoto.

It is above all a religious feast with a strong shinto connotation. The festival lasts three days and is located in Asakusa Tokyo neighbourhood . The festivities begin with the great parade, the passage of a procession to the sanctuary of Asakusa. Six mikoshi (palanquin on board which, according to the belief, are one or the Divinities) are transported by 12 people and each participant, each wearer is dressed with clothing dedicated to the occasion.

On Saturday, almost 100 mikoshis, from the 44 neighborhoods of Asakusa were brought to the sanctuary of Asakusa to receive a blessing before returning to their original neighborhood. One of the attractions of the festival is, of course, the presence in very many of the yakusas that do not hide and proudly wear their tattoos on their entire body. A unique event that even the police, firefighters and badauds would not miss for anything in the world.

A unique show

This is unpublished rally members of the Japanese mafia are something extraordinary because, usually, no one sees a yakuza: they are recognized during this festival thanks to their outfit (sumo underwear). There are also artists in representation as actors disguised as cranes. The festival ends when everyone returns home and the daily resumes his rights on Asakusa.

The Sanja Matsuri Festival is the only time of the year in which you will have the opportunity to see your eyes scrolling in front of the members of a mafia, showing their tattoos, hands in hands with the local police. A festive setting in a very warm atmosphere.

Main photo credit: Flickr – Ari Helminen