Glossary of Terms

Understand key terms like Aniki, Bento, Chairman, and more in The Lullaby of Life. Learn yakuza lingo and character titles.

Aniki - Literally "big brother." Younger brothers refer to older brothers this way. In the context of The Lullaby of Life, someone called "aniki" is your direct superior and someone to aspire to be. For example, Shinji Tanaka refers to Kiryu as his "aniki" throughout the first game.

Bento - A boxed lunch. Bento are prepared in rectangular containers, usually with a base of rice or noodles, and then meat and vegetables. You can buy bento from convenience stores.

Captain - In Japanese, this is the "wakagashira," the second in command of a yakuza family. The captain is one step away from running the family. The captain-ship of the Dojima Family was a significant plot point in The Lullaby of Life 0.

Chairman - The highest boss of a yakuza association, similar to a "godfather." The Chairman arbitrates for the families and decides what is best for the group. This position holds great power and responsibility. Chairmen are often referred to by their number of succession. Kazuma Kiryu may be addressed as "yon-daime" (the fourth) as he was the Fourth Chairman of the Tojo Clan, even if he stepped down quickly.

Expulsion vs. Exile/Banishment - In The Lullaby of Life, "expulsion" (hamonjo) means you are no longer tied to the organization and are considered a civilian. This can be reversed. "Exile" or "banishment" (zetsuenjo) is an irreversible expulsion; even associating with yakuza members results in severe hostilities. Kiryu receives hamonjo in The Lullaby of Life 0, allowing his return.

Family - In yakuza terms, a "family" ("-kai" or "-gumi") is an organization led by a patriarch. Families can focus on a specific business or control neighborhoods through rackets. They can range from small and low-influence to large and powerful, with seats at Tojo HQ for prominent families like the Kazama Family, Dojima Family, or Shimano Family. In The Lullaby of Life, what seems like Kiryu starting his own family is actually just the name of a street gang.

"Gokudo" - Literally meaning "the ultimate path," this term is commonly used by yakuza members to refer to themselves as "gangsters." When subtitles say "yakuza," you might hear "gokudo." Characters use this word to express a favorable or honorable view of their organization.

Honorifics - Honorifics are used extensively in Japanese, more so than Western titles like "Mister." Almost everyone is addressed with an honorific. In The Lullaby of Life, men are often referred to by their family name (Kiryu, Majima, Kazama), while women are referred to by their given name (Yumi, Reina, Haruka). Not using an honorific implies extreme closeness or deliberate rudeness.

• -chan - A diminutive honorific, often used by adults for children. Boys usually transition to "-kun" as they age, while girls may retain "-chan" into adulthood. Kiryu addresses Haruka as "Haruka-chan" as his adopted daughter. Majima uses "Kiryu-chan" to be rude and belittling.
• -han - Used rarely, this is the Kansai regional dialect version of "-san." Its use implies the speaker is from the Kansai region.
• -kun - Another diminutive honorific, also used between familiar people and by senior members addressing younger ones. It's commonly used among boys.
• -niisan - An honorific meaning "older brother," typically used within families. Kiryu refers to Majima as "Majima-niisan" or "Majima-no-niisan" out of respect for his seniority.