Review: Yakuza Moom Memoirs on a Gangster's Daughter

Yakuza moon memoirs of a gangster's daughter

Shoko Tendo

Kodansha International Ltd. 17-14 Otowa 1-chrome

Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 112-8652

ISBN: 978-4-7700-3042-9

$ 22.95 2007

Amazing Courage

Having been a Psychologist for over 25 years I am still amazed at the pull gangs have on youth today. There are many reasons why youth join gangs- one of the main is they need love and a family.

Shoko Tendo's truthful story of her life from riches to rags, drugs, illicit sex and jail time gives all readers the opportunity to see what really happens in every city, town all over the world. Shoko came from a family of wealth in Japan, her father a part of a gang as well, called "yakuza" made his money in very enterprising business deals as well as being the leader of the gang. Shoko not only had to follow her father's rules but those of his more prominent gang members. She had a difficult time following rules- at home, in school and on the street. She was often teased and bullied by others due to her father's involvement in the gang.

Her older sister Maki also couldn't follow rules- she ran away, had many sexual partners and stopped going to school. Her relationships always ended badly. Shoko envied her sister's ability to adapt quickly to the prejudices of being a daughter of a gang member.

Shoko decided to take on the world herself and prove that she too could be respected and honored. What she got in return was drugs, many sexual partners, and numerous beatings by jealous boyfriends. Her father had problems of his own, he was losing money, hanging out with bar hostesses and getting large amounts of money to continue his lavious lifestyle. He finally ended up in jail for a long time. It is then that Shoko's life changed dramatically. She started huffing paint thinner, doing speed and became emotionally detached for days and weeks at a time.

It wasn't until her mother got sick and died that she decided to change her ways. It started with the tattoo she got. Even though the tattoo gave her strength, she still lost her parents, almost lost her sister and lost her own babies.

This book will make you laugh, cry and be filled with anger. Why do our kids do this? Are we not giving them enough? How do we make changes? This is a book I recommend to my Psychology students in the course Children and Violence. Until it affects you personally, you will never get a full feeling for gang life.

A must read for everyone and then get out and make a difference.