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Kabukimono or hatamoto yakko were gangs of samurai in feudal Japan. First appearing in the Azuchi–Momoyama period (between the end of the Muromachi period in 1573 and the beginning of the Edo period in 1603) as the turbulent Sengoku period drew to a close, were either , wandering samurai, or men who had once worked for samurai families who, during times of peace, formed street gangs. Some, however, were also members of more prominent clans—most notably Oda Nobunaga and Maeda Toshiie.
would often dress in flamboyant clothing, disregarding traditional colours such as light yellow and dark blue, often accessorised by wearing jackets with lead weights in the hem, velvet lapels, wide belts and even women's [[clothes|Kimono]]. Exoticism was characteristic and included items such as European clothing, Chinese hats, vests made from [[Persian rugs|Persian carpet]]. "Yakuza, Kabukimono, Machi-Yakko" also often had uncommon [[hairstyles|nihongami]] and facial hair, either styled up in various fashions, or left to grow long. Their [[katana]] would often have fancy hilts, large or square , red scabbards and were usually longer than normal length. Some even used extremely long pipes as weapons.
were known for their violent and unsociable behavior, such as not paying at restaurants or robbing townsfolk. Cases of the gang members cutting people down simply to test a new sword (), or larger-scale violent incidents were common in areas where could be found (particularly in large cities such as [[Edo]] and [[Kyoto]]). Wrestling, loud singing and dancing in the streets were also common, as was fighting between gangs after dark. The peak of activity was during the Keichō period (1596–1615), although also during that time, the (shogunate) became more strict, and the faded away.Kodansha Encyclopedia of Japan; 1983, Kodansha America
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