Posted by Simon K on August 01, 19100 at 11:09:30:
In Reply to: Re: Those odd tattooed fellows posted by Keith on July 25, 19100 at 19:02:58:
: Those are "yakuza", which I think the word means "gambler".
I don't know about the meaning of the term in Usagi's period, but in modern-day Japan the yakuza are Japan's underground, the Japanese mafia, if you will. (With several big differences, I should point out.)
I wouldn't be surprised if the yakuza evolved from the gamblers and gambling houses of Usagi's period. Need to do some research on that one.
Simon