Burakumin Term Analysis

The term burakumin refers to Japanese people who are viewed as outcasts at the bottom of the traditional social order. Sometimes people are classified as burakumin because of their “defiling” occupations (like being undertakers or butchers). Historically, burakumin suffered from severe social stigmas and discrimination. Traditionally, there have also been ties between burakumin and yakuza membership. In Pachinko, even the unsubstantiated rumor of being a burakumin is enough for someone to be ostracized, as happens to Haruki Totoyama and his family.