Yubitsume – Ritual Involving Cutting of Fingers by the Yakuza in Japan

ubitsume (指詰め) is a ritual involving cutting off the tip of one’s finger, performed by the members of the Yakuza who were dishonorable or failed with an entrusted task. It is a form of sacrifice with which the Yakuza members express their apology to him whom they failed and redeem themselves. When in Japan, seeing a man with portion of their pinkie cut off is a pretty solid indication that the person is with the Yakuza (which translates into – don’t mess with him).

As with other traditional Japanese rituals, such as Seppuku (ritual suicide), performing Yubitsume calls for a specific protocol. A small and clean, usually white piece of cloth is laid down on a platform on which Yubitsume is to be performed. The offender places their hand palm down on the cloth. Another member then cuts off the tip of their pinky above the top knuckle, usually with the use of a chisel and a hammer. The amputated part is then wrapped in cloth and presented to the offender’s kumicho (boss) as a token of apology. Should the member fail again, they will have another section of their pinky removed.

Yubitsume basically is a punishment for disgraced gang members which requires them to chop off their own fingers. After that the gang members need prosthetic pinkies. It costs about $3,000 and requires maintenance and repainting every three months — to match prosthetic skin tone with the changing seasons.