Bosozoku!

I've recently completed the book Yakuza Moon(reviewed by some chap) by Shoko Tendo and I really enjoyed the book. The book kinda got me all interested in the cultures of 'Yanki' (or simply young punks in japanese term I think?) I've decided to make a search on it and I found so many other interesting stuff along with it.

One of them being the motorcycle gangs and their culture and they actually have a proper term for it, aka BOSOZOKU! It's really cool that they have such strong culture, even on motorcycles groups/gangs and the type of clothings to go with the look (kamikaze suits with embroideries, damn cool). Oh and look at how they've all modified their rides, kamikaze balls!

I've gotten this from wikipedia..

Bōsōzoku (暴走族, Bōsōzoku? "violent running tribe") is a Japanese subculture associated with motorcycle clubs and gangs and sometimes also with car clubs like the one called Yankee which in Japanese means punk. The word bōsōzoku is often applied to these gangs, mainly comprised of young men who share an interest in modifications (often illegal) for cars and motorcycles, such as removing the mufflers so that more noise is produced. Bōsōzoku also engage in dangerous or reckless driving, such as weaving in traffic, not wearing motorcycle helmets, and running red lights. Japanese police call them Maru-So (police code マル走). Another activity is shinai bōsō (市内暴走) speeding in city streets, not usually for street racing but more for thrills. With many cars (or bikes) involved, the leading one is driven by the sentōsha (先頭車), the leader, who is responsible for the event and is not allowed to be overtaken. Others keep a lookout for side and rear cars/bikes. Although they do race, some groups prefer to simply bōsō, or violently run. They modify their exhaust systems to be extra loud and drive through suburbs at speeds of 5–10 miles an hour, waving imperial Japanese flags and shouting obscenities, occasionally throwing Molotov cocktails and carrying swords/spears, daring bystanders to challenge them. Bōsōzoku members tend to be perceived as criminals and misfits, and were first seen in the 1950s as the Japanese automobile industry expanded rapidly. The first bōsōzoku were known as kaminari-zoku (雷族 "Lightning Tribes"). There are bōsōzoku clubs throughout Japan, including female bike gangs (レディース "ladies"), identified by their stylish fashion and customised motorcycles. Members take part in mass rallies and have had gang wars amongst themselves. As a fashion and youth subculture, bōsōzoku are subject to increasing state and police pressure.

Here's the link to the wiki site anyway if any of you may want to check the whole thing out:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bosozoku

There's this movie called Kamikaze Girls and it's about a girl who's into Lolita and another girl being a Yanki. Not bad at all. It was actually released quite awhile ago, perhaps 2004? But since I've only found out about this whole Yanki culture like recently, pardon the slowness yo..

Ok that's all for now, I can't believe I'm actually blogging from my station lol. Good night or good morning, whatever.