The Yukichi Association

Murakawa Serina, Matriarch of the Yukichi Association, Direct Family of the Amaya-kai

The Yukichi Association takes its name from slang for the 10,000 yen bill, and there’s a very good reason for this: The Yukichi Association is very, very good at making money.  Mostly, they participate in real estate, accounting, and loan shark work, and are one of the least competitive Families in the Amaya-kai.  They’re particularly fond of hiring out contract work for construction jobs, intimidation of those reluctant to sell their properties, or protection detail to other Families, particularly if the jobs are completed on time with no complications. 

They are sometimes jokingly called the Shady Accountants, although this is more of the truth than a joke—several members are former accountants kicked out of their profession for one reason or another.  The Matriarch makes it clear that while she is not the police and will not prosecute for past crimes, any actions defrauding the Association will be met with harsh punishment, to which they often contract out to the Natsukawa-gumi or the Akiyama-gumi.  After a few isolated incidents, no one else seems inclined to rock the boat, and the whole operation is very streamlined.

Their loyalty is less a matter of principle or ambition and more a matter of wanting to avoid rocking the boat.  Interruptions in service are, after all, detrimental to the making of money.

While no actual lawyers with badges are a part of their ranks, they have made connections and know who to talk to, and several promising interns studying law that failed to find good positions have fallen back on joining the Yukichi Association.  A good deal of the work is self-taught—they’re willing to help oversee contracts, and have studied legal matters to find loopholes for other Families and the Clan.  One branch also studies the complex legal, economic, and contract practices of demons and spirits as well, so at least one high-ranking member has attended every Amaya-kai diplomatic meeting with any demon or spirit.

There’s also rumors that, while the Association is not looking to replace the Horishi, they have also been investigating the complex soul contracts of the irezumi no youkai.  Results have not been shared as of yet, probably indicating that they’re inconclusive or there is no proof, as unlike some other clans the Association do not want or try to look mysterious and are very unlikely to try to keep secrets to themselves.

Several members have also been ‘promoted’ and borrowed to help run the Clan’s finances and legal departments under the Chief of Headquarters, Wakabayashi.