Bosozuku meaning ‘violent run tribe’ consists of biker gangs which rebel against the strict rules of Japanese cultural in favor of a life on the road. Also known as the ‘kaminari zoku’ (thunder tribes) when it began in the 1950s, the group focuses on disrupting traffic in any way possible including running red lights, driving recklessly including speeding and traffic weaving, illegally modifying their bikes and ignoring noise restrictions. The Members are traditionally characterized by their modified motorcycles which often include elements from American choppers and British café racer style bikes, as well as their elaborate costumes.
They have tattoos, uniforms and the obligatory high-powered machines which mark them out as members of a biker gang. But these women are as likely to show off their brilliantly coloured talons as their tats and favor bikes festooned with flowers and painted an attractive shade of pink. In fact, the Bosozoku girls of Japan have rejuvenated a sub-culture that was has been in rapid decline since the 1980s.
Typically, traditional outfits resemble kamikaze or samurai style jumpsuits, with gang names, mottos and defining symbols and pictures embellished on the back. Otherwise, retro pilot boots, long overcoats and matching pants style which were a custom of the 70s Bosozoku fashion, derived from a combination of old kamikaze and US Navy uniforms. The Bosozoku girls bring their own style to gang fashion, however.
The 15th generation: gang uniforms are passed down from rider to rider and can not be washed, according to gang law. Just wearing a uniform can get you arrested in Japan
The girls are also out to prove that the subculture is not a dying one, despite Japanese National Police Agency reports stating that the number of recognized Bosozoku members nationwide, hit a record low of 7,297 in 2012. This is down from the recorded 42,500 members at the subculture’s peak in 1982, according to the Japan Times.
The reduction in member numbers is considered to be a result of a police crackdown and subsequent road traffic law revisions in 2004, which gave more power to police.
Motorcycle gang members are so used to evading police, whom will target riders just for wearing a identifiable Bosozoku uniform, that members bikes are designed to help lose police cars in a chase.
For this reason, handlebars are bent downward and inward in order to allow riders to weave between traffic, the video explains.
