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.
Get the entire Pachinko LitChart as a printable PDF.
Burakumin Term Timeline in Pachinko
The timeline below shows where the term Burakumin appears in Pachinko. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Book 2, Chapter 10
...day a poor Japanese boy named Haruki joins Mozasu’s class. He’s rumored to be a burakumin, but he isn’t. He has a little brother with disabilities and was abandoned by his...
(full context)
