The Yakuza: Shadows of Japan

In one of the most bustling and most active countries in the entire world, Japan is seen today as a modern technological wonderland. In the early 2000's, most of our goods such as cars, electronics, and accessories were all imported from Japan and still are.

These are the transactions that are made through legal and proper business. However, there are some that would say that Japan isn't as pure as it seems to be. One of the most influential and underground crime organizations is known as the yakuza. 

Mostly known for their extreme ways of ideals and fully elaborate body tattoos, the yakuza have major influences on the political and social world. As stated, the most notable feature that separates them from normal civilians is the body tattoos that they are forced to receive to be initiated in.

The origin of the word 'yakuza' comes from the Japanese card game similar to that of Baccarat. The losing hand is 8-9-3, which in Japanese would translate to "ya-ku-za". There are five major clans and each clan is divided by families with one person housing the name of that family. The leader of the entire clan, the chairman, overseas all operations within the clan. Whether it will be drug smuggling,  arms dealing and land distribution, the chairman has to keep order within the clan in order for it to survive.

However, in recent years the yakuza is seen as a dying breed. Not many men or women are joining the clans for whatever reasons. The major clan, the Yamaguchi-gumi, which was formed in 1915, has more than 23,000 members as of 2015. 

Even though they are involved with some illicit activities, they have also opened up their clan for some relief efforts, such as the 2011 earthquake in Japan. 

Seeing that the yakuza are somewhat dying, the influence that they have on Japan's politics are surly felt throughout the entire country. For what they are worth, they do have a major impact on the everyday lives of everyone in Japan. 

Whether you agree with their ideals or not, they have had one of the most major influences in the Japanese culture and may have also shaped the way that Japan in any way shape or form, have made their mark in Japanese legend and folk lore. 

Warm-Up 3/09/16

If I had the choice of deciding which genetic trait my child should get, it would probably be to regenerate itself. Just like a damaged liver can repair itself, a child's body can heal itself when the child hurts him/herself. Honestly, the idea of a designer baby can be scary at sometimes. If parents have the power to genetically modify their own children, most parents will just put whatever into the baby and try to make the perfect child. Many things can go wrong with trying to modify a baby. Most possibly, during the procedure, many things like a mistake from the doctors to changing one or more things to the baby can result in damage to the child as well as the parents. No, it is not okay for you to genetically modify a baby. The child should be kept the same when it is born. No parent should have to waste time and money trying to modify their "Perfect Baby".

Daily Warm-Up #3 (14.0)

"Inviting a Friend to Supper"

Tonight, Mr. Radcliffe (Daniel Radcliffe),
may you be of company in my home
Feast like you would back at Hogwarts
May we have the best cuisine you shall desire
With some of the best cooks you shall hire
And may we drink our problems here
With a glass of the finest Butterbeer

Warm-Up #2 (14.0) - Write the Opposite

Singing-Talking

Crash- Safety

Writing- Scribbling

Wall- Ceiling 

Daily Warm-Up 12.0 #2

Acrostic Poem

Speed is his game
On the run
No one can catch him
In the fast lane
Can't slow him down

Daily Warm-Up 12.0

Want Ad Poem

Once in a while, on a Saturday dawn,
I wake up and realize I have to cut the lawn.
Doing the same routine again and again,
Having this responsibility 'till the end.
I realize I have more important things to do,
Now it's time for someone else to pick it up and learn something new.
Doing this is a lot of work, I know,
But you are doing this for a good cause,
I know you can do it, without the flaws.
Just please, come over and cut my yard,
The pay is good, unless you don't charge.

Daily Warm-Up 11.0

I would define the word "poem" as a way to express one's feelings in different lines. It shows the deeper meaning of an author, or poet, and what many different points and illusions that he/she is trying to show.

Many poems have different words. Many poets have their poems rhyme with the words and others don't have it rhyme and just put what they write on the paper.

A poem and a song can be the same because both have a deeper meaning than just lines written down. Many songs tell a tragic story and a poem can do the same if one reads very carefully.

I have attempted to write a poem, but I never finished it.

I would like to go back to it and finish the poem, but time really is a factor for me right now. I would like other people to write their own poems.