The Quiet Ruler: Masao Hori and the Showa Underworld's Shadow Lawyers (1970s-1980s)

The Quiet Ruler: Masao Hori and the Showa Underworld's Shadow Lawyers (1970s-1980s)

Masao Hori was the legendary leader of the Sumiyoshi Rengokai (later known as Sumiyoshi Association), one of the largest gangs in the Kanto region during the late Showa period. From the 1970s to the 1980s, when he was at the top of the organization, the Sumiyoshi Rengo evolved from a loose federation into a more controlled and powerful force. At the center of this evolution was Hori, a "charismatic man of silence" who never raised his voice but dominated his surroundings with overwhelming authority and spirit.

Masao Hori's leadership was not based on violence or fear. He moved things with faith, silence, an eye for people, and the ability to adjust. He brought under his influence not only the members of his own organization, but also the leaders of other organizations, the political and business world, and even the right wing. His deep personal connections that straddled the surface and underworld made him known not only as a yakuza boss, but also as a shadowy figure of the Showa era.

One of the most prominent features of Hori's presence was his strong relationship with Toyohisa Eto, the chairman of the Japan Young Men's Association. Eto was the charismatic front man of the action-oriented right wing, driving street protestors and advocating nationalism. Hori, on the other hand, was the "face behind the scenes," quietly standing in the background and exercising his power only when necessary. The relationship between the two was known as "Eto in the front and Hori in the back," and they were involved together in national issues such as the land rights issue in Okinawa, building an inextricably linked relationship.

This relationship is symbolized by an anecdote concerning a confrontation within a certain union. When an influential leader came forward who disagreed with Hori's policy, rather than restraining him with force or sanctions, Hori called in Eto. A single word from Eto at the meeting changed the rigid atmosphere and silenced the executives. From then on, there was no opposition to Hori in the union. This story has been passed down through the generations as "Masao Hori conquers even chivalrous men with his words," an anecdote that symbolizes Hori's character and the strangeness of his relationships with others.

Even after his death, Masao Hori is still fondly remembered within the Sumiyoshikai as "that man's time. Hori's rule, which emphasized calmness over strength, a look rather than anger, and the subtleties of the human heart rather than self-assertion, was an expression of his "human capacity" that transcended the framework of the gangster organization. He was a quiet ruler who certainly existed behind the scenes during the Showa period. His name is still talked about like the wind.