The Japanese company producing prostheses, has chosen for itself unusual, but very popular in the country area - they make artificial fingers. Its main customers - the Yakuza.
In East Asia, severed pinky indicates membership in yakuza - it is through this dedication to all new members of the Japanese mafia. As tradition dictates stumbled or "lose face" yakuza cut off his fingers to redeem a misdemeanor.
Over the past ten years Shintaro Hayashi made dentures for members of the mafia who want to conceal their involvement in the criminal world. At the beginning it specialized in the production of silicone implants for breast cancer patients and amputees, but later exchanged them for new clientele.
"I observed a gradual increase in the number of people in need of prostheses little fingers. They need not have been produced in several sizes in factories dentures and unique handmade, requiring long hours of painstaking work, "- said 39-year-old Hayashi ABC News.
The lack of a little finger says that man - a former or current member of the Yakuza. Ritual known as yubidzume is for members of the yakuza to "pay" for the actions that are contrary to the yakuza code, for example, drug use, participation in fights or theft.
The little finger on his left hand cut off first as part of the ritual when taking the gang, but many yakuza missing a few fingers.
Shintaro Hayashi helps former members of the Mafia to hide their past, so that they can find a job, or current gang members to hide their affiliation to the underworld at family celebrations and official receptions. One finger prosthesis is worth $ 3000 Handcrafted, it is practically identical to the severed finger.
Most customers visit Shintaro Hayashi clinic several times a year, since silicone implants wear out or require repainting.
According Shintaro, about five percent of its clients are former members of the yakuza. Total Clinic has released more than 300 prosthetic fingers.
She says that her clients are divided into three categories: the former members who are trying to start a new life outside the mafia, the Yakuza, who need to go to a wedding of a child or a family event, and it does not disclose its membership of the Mafia, as well as men, which it the clinic sent women concerned about their reputation.
"Many men, to hide the absence of fingers or toes, holding his fists clenched. But there comes a time when you can not hide their absence, "- says prosthetist.
Yakuza is a collective term organized crime syndicates in Japan. It is believed that in the ranks of the Japanese mafia more than 100 000 members, who belong to various groups across the country.