- main site -- links --mailing list -- guestbook -- admin
life and times
If you haven't, you might like to read the previous article first, explaining why we say Enishi was part of the Shanghai Triads, and not the mafia.
Here, Firuze explains what the Chinese Triads are, and where our white tiger fits into the grand scheme of things.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/all_about_yukishiro_enishi/message/377
"One of the characteristics that distinguish Triads from
the Italian Mafia (and I presume Japanese Yakuza), it's the independence of its
branches. It lacks the pyramidal structure of other groups and that
characteristic makes it very hard, if not impossible to eradicate. (IMO, it
acts as the terrorists cells, with little or not connections among the
groups/branches. That would be helpful in keeping it alive, because if one part
of the organization is infiltrated, and arrested, only that part of the triad
would be disarmed, the rest would still work, replacing the lost branch rather
quickly. In the case of Western style mafia (and I'm not familiar with yakuza),
if a family is infiltrated, it's the whole that is destroyed.)
"At its most basic level, the hierarchy of triad members matters little except
in each individual relationship between two members, each based on ties between
the 'Dai-Lo,' or big brother, and 'Sai-Lo', or little brother. The big brothers
give work, protection, and advice to the younger brothers, who give loyalty,
support, and money in exchange. In many cases, this is the only relationship
that matters.
"But there is a triad hierarchy. It is not really known to what extent it is
still used. Most analysts agree the lower level ranks are still commonly in
place, but how many triad groups use the more complicated higher rankings and to
what extent cannot be accurately measured. Along with the names of each rank,
triad ranks also have numbers, all beginning with the number 4, which represents
the four oceans which were said to surround China in ancient times, and so
signifies the universe as a whole.
"The triads then are not at all like the Mafia. The Mafia is known for strong
familial ties, and a rigid pyramidal hierarchy. Triads on the other hand, are
loose affiliations in the extreme. Although there is an hierarchy to Triad
leadership, those lower on the ladder have much more freedom of lateral
movement. In fact, rarely are the movements and activities of smaller gangs
directed by the leaders of a triad. Triad members do not typically have to
secure permission from the head of a triad in order to engage in a criminal
activity, even if the activity involves partnering with people who are not
members of the triad or are even in fact members of a different triad. (taken
from The Illuminated Lantern site)
"In the context, Enishi would be the boss of the whole weapons black market,
being at the top of his own Triad, as if he was the head of family mafia. This
means that he would not have to give explanations or having the consent of
other bosses for his movements or deals.
"Enishi and Wu, in the language of Triads Hierarchy would be
"489: At the top of the triad hierarchy is the man known as Mountain Lord, First
Route Marshal, or Dragon Head. The Dragon Head is an elected position, and the
person in this position has final responsibility for the triad organization as a
whole, including arbitrating conflict within various branches, and guiding the
general direction the organization should be taking. His word is law. He is
sometimes referred to as a 21 (4+8+9), the character for which reflects the
symbol for 'hung,' as used to represent the Hung Society as a whole.
"438: Below the Dragon Head are a number of positions of equal rank: The
Assistant Mountain Lord, the Incense Master, and the Vanguard. The assistant
acts as the Dragon Head's proxy in his absence, and is often conferred with by
the Dragon Head for important decisions. The Incense Master and Vanguard
officiate over triad rituals, in this respect they are extremely important in
preserving the rituals and ensuring that they remain potent symbols of the
triads history and power. In this regard, the number 438 becomes 15 (4+3+8),
which further breaks down into 3 X 5: 3 symbolizing creation, and 5 symbolizing
longevity. Of course, all this numerological massaging is suspect at best.
Although these are common explanations for the rank numbers, it is more likely
that the numbers had some significance as part of the ancient mystery rites from
which triads developed, long ago, significance which has long been forgotten and
supplanted by explanations based on more recent triad history and numerology.
(taken from The Illuminated Lantern site)
Other triads information:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/all_about_yukishiro_enishi/message/378
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/all_about_yukishiro_enishi/message/380