GLOSSARY
~Author’s Note~
Hello, everyone.
This section is the book’s glossary–
“A list of terms in a special subject, field, or area of usage, with accompanying definitions.”
As you read the story, if you come across any unfamiliar terms, you can always come back to this part and find out what they mean.
Note that the glossary will be updated often. That is, with time, I will be adding more words and their definitions. You can always come back to this part to check them out.
That said, enjoy–
“DONA’S YAKUZA”
This glossary is divided into two parts:
1. PART A : MAFIA (The Italians)
2. PART B: YAKUZA (The Japanese)
Which will be defining: TITLES, RANKS & TERMS that will often be used in this story.
Also, one important thing to note about Japanese names is that surnames (family names), come before given names– unlike in western countries where family names come after the given names. Keep that in mind as you read the story ❣️.
PART A: MAFIA
1. BOSS:
The Boss, the Don, the King, the Emperor, the Caesar, the Dictator, is the head of the organization, the boss is a dictator or king and has the power to order anything and everything from anyone in the entire organization. The Boss rules the organization with an iron fist, he makes all the important decisions, much like a CEO or Chairman of a company would.
2. UNDERBOSS:
The Underboss is the second-in-command in the empire and the organizational hierarchy of the crime family. His level of authority varies, but he is ready to stand in for the boss at any given moment. He is the second most powerful man in the crime family.
3. CONSIGILIERE:
The consigliere, or chief advisor, or counselor, is the Boss’s right-hand man and trusted confidant. The Consigliere is very powerful in the organization, and he plays one of the most important roles in a crime family. He is a close and trusted friend and confidant of the family boss for strategic information, diplomatic counsel, and sound advice. The Consigliere is the mediator of disputes within the crime family and often acts as a representative or aide for the organization in meetings with other crime families, rival crime families, and important business associates.
The Consigliere is meant to offer unbiased information based on what he sees as best for the crime family. He’s normally incredibly intelligent, clever, diplomatic, intuitive, ruthlessly efficient, sophisticated, rational, resourceful, perceptive, and astute, and he is normally a clever talker, resourceful thinker, and diplomatic advisor.
4. CAPOREGIME:
El Capitan, Capo, Caporegime, or Captain. The Caporegime is a captain of a large crew of soldiers, hitmen and associates. The captain heads a large crew of anywhere from 15 to 3,000 soldiers, hitmen and associates and can order them to do absolutely anything. The captains report directly to the boss or underboss who hands down the orders, directions and instructions. He is very powerful and has the power to order his crew to do anything and everything he desires. The Captains only has to answer to the boss, consigliere, or underboss.
5. SOLDIERS:
The Soldiers, Wiseguys, Men of Honor, Untouchables, or Made men are lowest-ranking members of the Mafia. The grunts of the organization, generally sticking out their neck in the hope of making a name for themselves by demonstrating their loyalty to the organization and boss and protecting the organization at all costs. Soldiers are used to commit murder, beatings, torture, assassinations, bombing, arson, kidnapping, extortion, death threats, blackmailing, bribery, witness intimidation, jury intimidation, and extortion.
6. ASSOCIATES:
Associates are not made members of the Mafia, but they work for the Mafia. Associates cannot turn down an order from the Mafia. If the Mafia gives them an order they have to follow it, and they can never refuse or they may be killed. Associates are employed as drivers, bodyguards, hitmen, enforcers, errand boys, or money collectors for high-ranking members of the Mafia. Associates are either good money-makers or good hitmen for the Mafia.
7. OMERTÀ:
Among the Mafia, a code of silence about criminal activity and a refusal to give evidence to the police.
EX: “loyal to the oath of omertà“.
PART B: YAKUZA
1. YAKUZA:
A Japanese organized crime syndicate, similar to the Mafia, or the Triads. They have some control of the Japanese social system, seeing as they own major things like casinos and the like. They have a strict code of loyalty and honor, which is a tradition long held by the Japanese. Yakuza are usually known to have large tattoos covering their backs, chests, and arms.
They are also known as gokudō (極道, “the extreme path”. The Japanese police and media by request of the police, calls them bōryokudan (暴力団, “violent groups”, while the yakuza call themselves ninkyō dantai (任侠団体/仁侠団体, “chivalrous organizations”.
2. OYABUN-KOBUN RELATIONSHIP:
All Yakuza clans are bound together by the oyabun-kobun relationship— roles that have been compared to master and apprentice as well as father and son.
The kobun gives his oyabun complete obedience and loyalty in exchange for guidance and protection. Any clan member can be both kobun and oyabun, acting as boss to those below him and a subordinate to those above. Each member of the clan may play both the oyabun and the kobun roles, acting as a subordinate to the Yakuza immediately above him and as a boss to the gangsters below him.
3. THE KATANA:
The Katana, the traditional sword of a Samurai, is still used as a weapon of death by the Yakuza. The swords have been used in several high-profile murders.
4. Yakuza members fall under three general categories: tekiya (street peddlers), bakuto (gamblers), and gurentai (hoodlums).
5. KUMICHO: The SUPREME BOSS.
6. SAIKO KOMON: Senior Adviser.
7. SO-HONBUCHO: Headquarters Chief.
8. THE WAKAGASHIRA (number-two man):
This is a regional boss responsible for governing many gangs; he is assisted by the fuku-honbucho, who is responsible for several gangs of his own.
9. A typical yakuza crime family will also have dozens of SHATEI (younger brothers) and many WAKASHU (junior leaders).
10. GEISHA:
Geisha (or geiko) are professional entertainers who attend guests during meals, banquets and other occasions. They are trained in various traditional Japanese arts, such as dance and music, as well as in the art of communication.
11. RYOKAN:
A traditional Japanese inn or small hotel whose floors are covered with tatami.
Note that along the way more terms might be added and so if you come across any unfamiliar new words during the story, you can always come back here for their definitions and meaning.
◇Enjoy The Story◇
