YANKEE: The definitive guide...

Okay, how many times have you heard someone talk about the Bosozoku?  How many times have you heard someone call a car a Bosozoku car?  Well, this is none.  They are Yankee cars.  Bosozoku is motorcycle and moped gangs..they are groups of people...not a "style".  Of course you can associate the word Bosozoku with bikes since their bikes are very unique in sound and appearance...but they are most certainly [I]not[/I] cars.  

I guess to start this off I should explain where the style originated from.  I know nearly all of you, unless you've been living under a rock, know what JGTC is and the cars that race in it.  But, how many of you have seen some of the JTCC & All Japan Super Silhouette Championship cars from back in the 70's and 80's?  Well..lets give you a little insight so you know where I'm coming from if you haven't.  Here's a few Examples:
[IMG]http://www.vipemporium.com/vsc/yankeesilhouette.jpg[/IMG]

Now Here is a few examples to really show how the style started.  It did not have ANYTHING to do with VIP, but everything to do with racing.  The first car I'll show you is actually one of the cars that skyrocketed the whole craze..and the reason wasn't just the car, but also the driver (K. Hoshino) and his VERY aggressive style.  Hoshino was very talented and very brave too pulling off passes and squeezes that would make most cringe.  The wheels on this car were the Hoshino Impul wheels (full face X) and became VERY sought after:

[IMG]http://www.vipemporium.com/vsc/yankee1.jpg[/IMG]
Hoshino Impul G5 wheels for 1/10 scale models.
[IMG]http://www.gasolinealleyantiques.com/kits/images/CarMiscellaneous/fujimi-silhouette2.JPG[/IMG]

The S30ZG was an awesome car in it's time and the road version wasn't far off from the race version, but Yankee style took it a step further:
[IMG]http://www.vipemporium.com/vsc/yankee2.jpg[/IMG]

Another example like the classic above was the "Ken & Mary" Skyline:
[IMG]http://www.vipemporium.com/vsc/yankee3.jpg[/IMG]

But don't get Yankee confused for Nostalgia or Classic style like this:
[IMG]http://www.vipemporium.com/vsc/notyankee.jpg[/IMG]

There is some Yankee cars which are more on the mild side from most.  Here's a few examples..they have small exhaust, smaller flares, and less aggressive aero:
[IMG]http://www.vipemporium.com/vsc/yankeemild.jpg[/IMG]

Then there is the Wild...these guys go ALL OUT!  There's even a few they did as a gag with cardboard as spoofs for events with triple decker wings and insane wideness, but the following a just real Wild Yankee style:
[IMG]http://www.vipemporium.com/vsc/yankeex.jpg[/IMG]

Oh, and speaking of exhaust..we've seen the star and heart shaped exhausts, but there are also really tall ones and multiple ones as well as other bizarre shapes.  This is just a few examples..I have too many to show all of them:
[IMG]http://www.vipemporium.com/vsc/yankeepipes.jpg[/IMG]

I personally don't think VIP evolved from Yankee style.  I mean Yankee style has everything to do with racing and nothing to do with luxury.  It's possible that some of the guys building wild sport VIP cars used to build Yankee cars since they have wilder colors, crazier aero, and bigger exhausts, and even some external oil coolers occasionally.  So a cross over definitely exists, but the question is, did one style evolve from the other, or not.  I think not since the 2 styles co-existed for a bit of time...just some cross pollinating going on.  

Hopefully this clears a few things up for some people and also teaches a few people about one of the oddest styles to come out of Japan.  Cheers!

Mike
VIP Emporium

i know i probably gave you inspiration to start this thread, so i'll explain.  yankee is a term reffering to 'bad kids' for the most part which has nothing to do with racing.  the term yankee was derived from bosozoku groups who started using cars because of the banning of motrocycle groups in japan.  so yankee is a slang, in a sense, for the bosozoku members now using cars to get around.  everything else you've gone over in the relavance to JGTC is completely accurate, but everyone i know who knows about 'yankee' fashion reffers to it as bosozoku styling.  there aren't too many lines drawn to determine what is what, so it's best not to try to define a style as many people here do.  it's your car, and that's all that matters.  if you were to define the classic sports cars, JGTC race inspired sports cars, extravagant vans, and purely cosmetic JGTC replicas into 'yankee', you'd be a fool.  just as you'd be a fool to bother defining VIP, VIP style, and EXE.  there are too many variables, and when it comes down to it, who the fvck cares what styling group it conforms with?  not me.

Haha, omg dude.  This isn't the debate section.  And it wasn't you that gave me inspiration..I had this in another thread before you got here, but drama outside my post got the thread deleted.  I mentioned it in another thread.  Yankee has two meanings.  One is a term to describe those who embrace american culture and the James Dean/greaser phenomenon.  The other is to describe a car style which was the point of this thread.  Where is your information coming from btw?  I think I have a book you need to read if you'd like to know more about bosozoku and even a little on Yankee lifestyle.  Please read Kamikaze Biker by Ikuya Sato:
[IMG]http://www.press.uchicago.edu/Images/Chicago/0226735281.jpeg[/IMG]

It even goes over the differences between the two cultures and the similarities.  Also it points out how in runs when the two were together that the bikes would weave back and forth behind cars to protect them from Police and that the whole thing was actually quite planned, even the routes, regrouping, and blocking of through traffic from side streets.  What you're speaking of isn't about Yankee style, it's about Yankee LIFESTYLE.  Two different things.

And this which I posted before:
[URL="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZvjfsBRY50&mode=related&search="]Small bosozoku documentary[/URL]

Kind of a short..the book I mentioned is the best explanation of the culture as a whole, but this was still interesting to watch. As you'll see it has very little to do with VIP but supports what I was trying to point out. 

Okay, I have to make this two posts as it's over the character limit.

Here is a little summary to round up what I was telling you:

[QUOTE]
[B]Review of Kamikaze Biker by Ikuya Sato[/B]

Sato discusses three main areas of the phenomenon of kamikaze bikers. He first discusses the concept and culture of the bosozoku, which are the actual bikers. He then follows in the next part with the discussion of the "Yankees," which are similar to the bosozoku in almost every aspect except for the fact that they walk around instead of riding around. This is where the delinquency starts and the Yankees can continue on their path of a carefree lifestyle, or they can follow the path of the bosozoku, which is more structured but also more appealing. Sato then finishes the book with the discussion on the notion of "play" and what it means to the bosozoku and Yankees. This aspect of "play" and "fun in being evil" is very important and critical to the understanding of the Kamikaze Biker.

[B]The Bosozoku[/B]

The bosozoku live for the road and the rush of danger. Their idea of excitement is the boso run where they race down the streets at high speeds in spite of the danger. They enjoy toying with the police, alarming pedestrians, and drawing the attentions of girls, whether it’s wanted or not. Life of the bosozoku is all about speed and thrills, but they have their own unique clear-cut order and defining characteristics. The main reason for boso driving is to overcome or satisfy the need to express frustration or inferiority. Boso driving is then not an escape from pressure of life; it is more of an outlet in which these frustrations and emotions can be vented through.

The bosozoku’s main activity is the shinai boso. This involves racing at extreme speeds while showing off to passersby and anyone within viewing range. The boso drive usually starts from a certain meeting point such as a park or parking lot. Here various members of a bosozoku group or various groups meet at an appointed time. The time and conditions are usually set in the previous meet or at a conference between the leaders of the groups. Obviously since this is highly illegal, they try to keep these arrangements a secret from the police but sometimes they are forced to change plans due to a leak. This is where the group leader, known as sento sha (front vehicle), takes responsibility. The front rider sets the pace of the race and no one is allowed to pass him. He carries the group flag as he rides ahead. Meanwhile, riders in the front and rear deter traffic and police so the race can continue. This structured style is key to the bosozoku as every member has a purpose and important position. In addition, it is this structure and order that sets them apart from the Yankees.

[B]The Way of the Yankee[/B]

The Yankee is most often associated with delinquency. While all bosozoku are seen as Yankees, the reverse is not always true. Where as the bosozoku emphasize the thrills of the road, the Yankees stress the thrills of the streets.

The main features of the Yankees are their characteristic hairstyles and clothes. They usually have permanent waves with varying styles concerning length. Concerning the clothes, they are well known for their thin cardigans in black, white, and primary colors, and they usually wear a type of thin women’s sandal that makes much noise. This helps to achieve the desired effect of attracting much attention. They imitate the style of the yakuza to become more obtrusive, conspicuous, and menacing. The short permed hair, shaved eyebrows and hairlines, primary colors, and narrow belts were originally the style of the yakuza. The Yankees take pride in their appearance and also in the fact that they are intimidating. According to Sato, due to the recent commercialization of the Yankee style, it has somehow been diluted and now a sort of fashion. However, if one does not have the permed hairstyle, then he is seen as a hanger-on and not a true defiant Yankee.

When Yankees get together, they do so out of habit without a clear purpose in mind. They simply meet at a usual place and converse at great length. Sometimes they attempt to engage in more thrilling activities such as the occasional race, but since their groups are mostly unstructured, their plans usually fail due to poor coordination and lack of common interest and motivation. When they do seek action on the streets, they usually walk the streets and look for it. Common forms of action are fighting and sexual exploitation such as rape. They then use these experiences to give them stories to tell at the next gathering. It is this type of action that gives them masculinity and prestige in their groups. An interesting aspect of this group is that these violent and deviant acts are restricted by their own subculture. There is an age hierarchy that limits and restricts who can fight who, such as an older Yankee should not fight a much younger Yankee. If two Yankees have the same school and social ties, they probably will not fight as well. Concerning the sexual exploitation, this is meant to affect mostly other Yankees and thereby limiting the danger to the general public.

The dual nature of the Yankees is a critical aspect of their culture. They seek to defy popular culture and yet they conform to some social standards. While they imitate the menacing appearance of the yakuza, they also recognize how they do not imitate the yakuza style. Unlike yakuza, Yankees often wear sharply angled, dark sunglasses, which give a slight, comical look to the Yankee style. The image of the Yankee conforms to the yakuza style and at the same time conforms to the norms of the ordinary citizen. While they enjoy the menacing image, they hate the association with the yakuza. Yankees seek action and thrills and do not wish to be thought of as common thugs or punks like the yakuza. They have an idealized self-image of a thrill seeker that they wish to cultivate and maintain. As a result, many Yankees seek to become bosozoku.

The life of the bosozoku is different from Yankee life. Mostly, it is the structure and rules of the bosozoku that contrast with the lifestyle of the Yankee. However, it is the attraction of the gang activities and the thrill-seeking images that draw many Yankees to becoming bosozoku. The image of a bosozoku is that of a true thrill seeker through the use of speed and stunts. While the Yankee image is also that of an action-seeker, by evolving into bosozoku, the Yankees can then act out their ideal character and image. Now they can express focal concerns, which revolve around action, by stressing their masculinity, prowess, valor, and resourcefulness in an almost ideal manner.

[B]Context of Play[/B]

The behavior of the bosozoku and Yankees is characterized by the extreme expressiveness and playfulness in their activities. The gang members enjoy showing off their bizarre and flashy costumes as well as attracting attention with their risky activities. The frequently refer to "play," "thrills," and "kicks" in gang activities. It is clear that these gang members engage I these activities for the pursuit of excitement and thrills rather than from considerations of personal gain or profit.

Even though the gang members define their activities as play, the public in general does not. The public’s mind was filled with images of glue sniffing, battery, rape, murder, and theft as a result of media reports. In addition, the bosozoku were said to be the first reserve in the ranks of the yakuza. However, these reports used the bosozoku as a general term and were often unfounded. No distinction was made between true bosozoku and standard motorcycle gangs. Better understanding is achieved through the understanding of the economic and social backgrounds of the gang members.

During the postwar period in Japan, there was low unemployment and an even income distribution. People had more disposable income and began to improve their material living. This began a trend in which even the recession in 1973 did not hinder too much. Rather than facing starvation and poverty, Japan was concerned with obesity and excessiveness. However, the affluence of the culture resulted in the youth having more opportunity and motivation to engage in various experimentations. Thus a form of social experimentation was delinquency and joining these gangs.

The social issue is the class of working youths that detest the style and tastes of college students and graduates. They sneer at their "effeminate" poses and American sports cars. They are then detested in return and this further widens the social gap between the youth social classes. As a result, a class of youths is formed that have grown to resent the affluence on their society and then seek to challenge its norms in an attempt to rebel and show their resentment. These youths are then bored with their life style and the gangs give them the excitement and rebelliousness they desire. In their eyes, this is how they can enjoy life and have their fun. Until measures for social control exist, a considerable number of Japanese youths will follow this road and join the gangs to seek their thrills and own brand of fun.[/QUOTE]
So you see, like I said...there's the style and then there's the culture.

Thanks for the guide, informative!

Do you have any examples of Bosozoku bikes? I'd like to see some of that style.

you the man elpresidente! super informative, thanks for putting the CORRECT and researched info out there. i cant believe that other kid STILL thinks he knows everything!!

thanks but I doubt this will convince anyone to run out and buy a 12 foot long exhaust pipe.  :)

but those old school japanese race cars are cool. love it.

Also most of the cars don't run with the crazy high exhausts and crazy lips. They usually bolt them on when they show off thier cars.

Wow, crazy amounts of information, I love it!

What's the difference between Nostalgia and mild Yankee though?
Your example of Classic (car with black flares) and mild Yankee (black Laurel) look very similar.

WOW, now I know...Ive always thought that was bosokou, but now things are cleared up

Here's what a Bosozoku bike looks like (although many are less extreme):
[IMG]http://www.vipemporium.com/vsc/boso1.jpg[/IMG]

[QUOTE=firelizard;61639]Wow, crazy amounts of information, I love it!

What's the difference between Nostalgia and mild Yankee though?
Your example of Classic (car with black flares) and mild Yankee (black Laurel) look very similar.[/QUOTE]
Well, that lies in understanding the fundamentals of the period modification style.  The white Skyline is tuned how guys would tune them if they were into motorsports and racing back in the prime time of that car's life. That Laurel is borderline, but the wheel fitment tells more of the story than the body to me.  But yes, they are close, which is why I mentioned it how I did.

[QUOTE=elpresidente;61690]Here's what a Bosozoku bike looks like (although many are less extreme):
[IMG]http://www.vipemporium.com/vsc/boso1.jpg[/IMG][/QUOTE]


that is quite possibly the gayest looking bike i have ever seen in my life. like, homosexual gay.

dig the heart taillights on the z20

[QUOTE=callaghan.;61710]that is quite possibly the gayest looking bike i have ever seen in my life. like, homosexual gay.[/QUOTE]

LMFAO!! 

Those little Z cars were pretty cool, I love those things.

Thanks for shareing this info!

it's still a shame that this whole thing is about drawing lines to label everything when even still, your explaination tells of how all the groups are mislabeled by other groups.  it's also a shame the whole thing is maybe only 10% to do with cars when that was the original subject.

[QUOTE=BOSOZOKU;61765]it's still a shame that this whole thing is about drawing lines to label everything when even still, your explaination tells of how all the groups are mislabeled by other groups.  it's also a shame the whole thing is maybe only 10% to do with cars when that was the original subject.[/QUOTE]
My "explanation" is from research and information provided by people IN that culture and previously from that culture..how much more direct from the source could it get unless I was part of it myself?  The only reason it became about anything OTHER than cars was due to YOUR response.  My initial post had nearly everything to do with cars until you decided that you'd add your $0.02 about a different subject which shared the same name.  So at that point in order to help you understand I brought up the other subject which has almost nothing to do with cars and everything about a culture and its' people.  You couldn't just leave it alone and try to learn.

boso, why not just leave it alone? you are picking another fight, for no reason.

Good reading....  thanks....

I too have read and own Kamikaze Bikers.  Elpresidente, you might have already read/have these but they are good points of reference too.

Speed Tribes by Karl Taro Greenfeld
# ISBN-10: 1852835141
# ISBN-13: 978-1852835149

Bosozoku by Masayuki Yoshinaga
# ISBN-10: 0954264835
# ISBN-13: 978-0954264833

Thanks for the informative and well documented post!

picking a fight?  is that cause i'm such a hardcore gangster ass bosozoku?  hahahaha..  no, i'm not picking a fight.  i just think it's funny that people were talking sh1t on me about my username, then i'm critisized for misuse of a term.  when if you REALLY knew about bosozoku, you'd know that they do use cars aswell as bikes.  the bosozoku styling is more of a vip orineted version of yankee styling.  i guess its ghetto vip.  slammed, aerokits, wide wheels, and loud exhaust while still retaining a few luxury aspects.  regardless, know one will win, if we must label this a fight just as we must label every styling aspect of a car.  no one will win because there aren't enough distinguishing factors and everything blurs together.

great info regards to BOSOZOKU. 

born and raised in japan, itabashi-ku (kanto plain), i had the oppurtunity to hang out with the Boso, and also became a "blood brother" at a rather young age at 9yrs. old. the reason i got to hang out with them was due to me being half breed (american/japanese), and they wanted me to teach them english. (curse words that is)

i got to experience thier "life style" as they took me on back thier bike and caused ruckus throughout the city. the Boso's that i hanged around were more of a "chinpira" (lowest ranks in yakuza) and i got to witness a bit of extortion, fighting, drugs that go with that life style.

it wasn't long before some of my japanese relatives found out that, i've been hanging out with these guys, and it all came to a stop. i found out later that my japanese uncle "was" tied into a Osako group yakuza, and instucted them not to have me hang out with them anymore. after that, i only seen them ride by from time to time.

i believe that attitude + style = lifestyle. at least thats what i learned from them.

after saying that, whatever they do they are very passionate about it. regardless if its about bike, cars, or clothing, they doit with a flavor of their own. and yes, they do look towards the west to see the "USDM" and mix it up a bit too.

another interesting thing is the, "Toraku-yaro" or trucker. im pretty sure that there maybe a post/thread regards to that style too.

Yankee styling or Bosozoku, i like them both.

my 2yen.

[QUOTE=gohkal;61862]I too have read and own Kamikaze Bikers.  Elpresidente, you might have already read/have these but they are good points of reference too.

Speed Tribes by Karl Taro Greenfeld
# ISBN-10: 1852835141
# ISBN-13: 978-1852835149

Bosozoku by Masayuki Yoshinaga
# ISBN-10: 0954264835
# ISBN-13: 978-0954264833

Thanks for the informative and well documented post![/QUOTE]
Yah, I have Speed Tribes.  I know of M. Yoshinaga's book, but never picked it up.  I didn't think I needed a 3rd book to peak my interest..haha.  But if it's a really good read I might pick it up.

[QUOTE=bippU!;61897]great info regards to BOSOZOKU. 
another interesting thing is the, "Toraku-yaro" or trucker. im pretty sure that there maybe a post/thread regards to that style too.
[/QUOTE]
Yah, I brought that up before..I think I almost had a seizure driving behind one once on the way to Daikoku Futo PA.  Those things crack me up.  In case you guys don't know what we're talking about..it's these:
[IMG]http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u12/ThundaGod/yaro2.jpg[/IMG]
(I think that's one you posted before)

yeah thats it! ahhh........brings back memories..........:thumbsup:

this one is a good one.....
[url=http://youtube.com/watch?v=IRGmKULu8TY][B][COLOR="Red"]TORAKU YARO![/COLOR][/B][/url]

Those Trucks are creepy man, but WTF? is this video game? Any one?
[URL="http://youtube.com/watch?v=eb87WzcyyHo&mode=related&search="]http://youtube.com/watch?v=eb87WzcyyHo&mode=related&search=[/URL]

i love the works fender on those cars. classic

[QUOTE=1_VIPd_LS;61956]Those Trucks are creepy man, but WTF? is this video game? Any one?
[URL="http://youtube.com/watch?v=eb87WzcyyHo&mode=related&search="]http://youtube.com/watch?v=eb87WzcyyHo&mode=related&search=[/URL][/QUOTE]
Haha, Tokyo Extreme Trucker!  Hah, that's pretty funny.  You soup up your Dekotora truck with more lights and stuff and try to out run the cops!  Hahaha!  Dekotora is actually kind of popular..I don't understand why people get into it though.  Haha, maybe if your Dad had a dump truck or was a delivery guy then it inspires you...:thumbsup:

[QUOTE=elpresidente;62039]Haha, Tokyo Extreme Trucker!  Hah, that's pretty funny.  You soup up your Dekotora truck with more lights and stuff and try to out run the cops!  Hahaha!  Dekotora is actually kind of popular..I don't understand why people get into it though.  Haha, maybe if your Dad had a dump truck or was a delivery guy then it inspires you...:thumbsup:[/QUOTE]

OH...MY...GOD!...I gotta find a rom for that game online so I can burn it and play it I mean umm back up my own copy.:smiley: ...LOL... I thought it was something someone made after ripping and messing around with a TXR rom....lol

They even have their own Magazine too:
[IMG]http://www.geibunsha.co.jp/img/camion/camion0706_l.jpg[/IMG]

But yah, this is what blinded me that one night:
[IMG]http://www.pinktentacle.com/images/dekotora_1.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://www.pinktentacle.com/images/dekotora_2.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://www.pinktentacle.com/images/dekotora_3.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://www.pinktentacle.com/images/dekotora_4.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://www.pinktentacle.com/images/dekotora_7.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://yaizukouumizuki.run.buttobi.net/top.JPG[/IMG]

Here's a gallery full of pics from meets they have:
[URL="http://yaizukouumizuki.run.buttobi.net/ivent/06-10-8-kanntoumigumi1/1.html"]Dekotora MADNESS!!!![/URL]

They even had a Manga and a movie series called "Keep on Truckin'":
[URL="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UgSDVkv26oQ"]トラック野郎 torakku yarō[/URL]

HAHAHAHAHAHA....W0W they look like a bunch of Carnies from the movie Tron if the movie Tron had a bunch of Carnies. Holy sh!t!

i always call them rolling casinos.  would be cool to pick up a UD diesel and ret rediculous with it like that.  i wonder what they do to the back of it?  you can't just open it up and have nothing in there.

that was the other thought...rolling casino's man I never saw anything like this..

Those things trailers gotta be cool inside!

[QUOTE=1_VIPd_LS;62129]that was the other thought...rolling casino's man I never saw anything like this..

Those things trailers gotta be cool inside![/QUOTE]
They were actually highly inspired by the Gundam robots and manga.

they also have diecast models and RC toraku too.
i 'll try to locate them on my laptop.

BTW, can you just imagine them rollin on cambers? :eek:

Go HINO!

[QUOTE]that is quite possibly the gayest looking bike i have ever seen in my life. like, homosexual gay.[/QUOTE]

HAHA my thoughts exactly.

Good read.  Thanks for the info.

[QUOTE=elpresidente;61898]Yah, I have Speed Tribes.  I know of M. Yoshinaga's book, but never picked it up.  I didn't think I needed a 3rd book to peak my interest..haha.  But if it's a really good read I might pick it up.[/QUOTE]

Yoshinaga's book is just a collection of photographs, some old and new.  I think he used the book as launching pad for the movie Kanto Zoku.

thanks for the informative thread. always wondered about bosozoku n other things.  those trucks are insane and must be pushing out some wattage