Pachinko Parlors and the Yakuza
- Pachinko is a pinball-like gambling game that has been popular for decades among Korean expatriates in Japan.
- Pachinko parlors were crucial to the survival of many Korean expatriates in Japan during and after World War II.
- "It was the only place of employment for many men, and some women," says Lee
- In Pachinko, Yakuza, or Japanese Organized Crime, plays a large role in Noa’s identity as a Korean and as Hansu’s biological son.
- “yakuza papa” and “Blood doesn’t matter"
- Mozasu embraces his heritage, working at Goro’s pachinko parlor and becoming manager of one at 20, Mozasu becomes successful in ways Noa couldn’t have ever imagined.
- Goro’s involvement in yakuza
- “international man of the world”
- Solomon taking over Mozasu’s parlor at the end of the book is a full-circle moment
- Yakuza translates to “good for nothing”
- Yakuza: Japanese Organized Crime in which hang members have very detailed tattoos and have “samurai-like” rituals.
- Yakuza engage in a wide variety of crimes and control many different kinds of businesses throughout major Japanese cities
- Yakuza have hierarchies that resemble families
- Although Yakuza are organized crime, they often have an understanding with Japanese police officers. Being a part of the Yakuza in Japan isn’t illegal, and territories are well known by the police and the public.
A video showing how a pachinko machine works.
“Refurbished 1977 Heiwa 'Step into the Garden' vintage pachinko machine - Cinematic.” Youtube, uploaded by @user-mq7bs9bl7p, 13 Oct. 2021, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhRkPt2GqRw.
