Shimizu no Jirochō

Shimizu Jirocho was the most famous yakuza and folk hero of Japan. His real name is Chogoro Yamamoto. He was adopted by his uncle Jirohachi Yamamoto who was a rice wholesaler. Due to the fall of his adoptive family he became a bakuto (gambler) and thereafter the biggest yakuza boss of the Tokaido region. Jirocho was also a philanthropist, business leader, and a patriot. In the late 19th century, Jirocho dominated the port of Shimizu and two main Routes - Tōkaidō and Nakasendō which connect the two ancient capitals, Kyoto and Edo. He had henchmen such as Omasa (大政), Komasa (小政) and Mori no Ishimatsu (森の石松). His life is distinguished as a violent crime boss, but also in his later years humane, political and economic development. There are multiple accounts about his life which makes it difficult to distinguish fact from legend. His legendary status is depicted in many movies and TV dramas.