also: じんきょう
chivalry; chivalrous spirit; helping the weak and fighting the strong
Refers to the traditional code of honor and behavior associated with yakuza and historical outlaws, emphasizing protecting the weak and opposing the powerful. Often used in a romanticized or nostalgic context.
He lived by the code of chivalry.
I like chivalrous yakuza films.
Euphemistic prefix used in compounds to refer to yakuza or yakuza-related things, often with a romanticized or nostalgic tone. Common in terms like 任侠団体 (yakuza organization) and 任侠映画 (yakuza film).
Members of a yakuza organization were arrested.
That actor became famous through yakuza films.
ヤクザ is the direct, modern term for yakuza, while 任侠 carries a romanticized, old-fashioned nuance of chivalry and honor code.
義理 refers to duty or obligation in general, whereas 任侠 specifically denotes the chivalrous code of the yakuza subculture.
Standard kanji spelling; the reading にんきょう is the most common.
Alternate reading, rarely used.
Search-only kyūjitai form.
Search-only kyūjitai form.
Variant kanji spelling, less common but still used.
Alternate reading with variant kanji, rarely used.
Composed of 任 (responsibility, duty) and 侠 (chivalry, gallantry). The term originally referred to a code of honor among outlaws and later became associated with yakuza. The reading にんきょう is the standard, while じんきょう is a less common variant.