瓜田純士 (Junshi Urita)

BAD BOY AUTHOR

A friend introduced me to a video yesterday that featured JUNSHI URITA, a Japanese mixed martial artist, kickboxer, You Tuber and author. Earlier today, another friend shared additional information about Urita, which piqued my interest and led to the publication of this short blog post.

The aspect that captivated me the most about this  former member of a Japanese criminal syndicate was his decision to pursue a career as an author during his incarceration, which had a profound impact on his life. Urita, who is 44 years old at present, was born in Tokyo's Kabukicho, Shinjuku-ku. People from all over flock to Kabukicho—dubbed "The City That Never Sleeps"—to enjoy the city's many late-night attractions, including its manga cafes, restaurants, cabaret clubs, host clubs, love hotels, sex shops, and pachinko parlors, which are illuminated by vibrant neon lights. His father is a second-generation leader of the BOSOZOKU motorcycle gang called "Black Emperor." The emergence of the bosozoku subculture coincided with the return of kamikaze pilots from World War II. Having been exposed to violence on the battlefield, the pilots were unable to adjust to returning to their civilian lives. To emulate the military ethos of camaraderie, danger, and excitement, they formed motorcycle gangs that would cruise through neighborhoods at night on rides characterized by high-octane and excessive loudness. The police pursued these gangs.

Urita, who was in elementary school when he earned a reputation as a juvenile delinquent, resided with his mother after his parents divorced. Due to his deviant behavior, he was expelled from his junior high school in Shinjuku and he attended a junior high school in Suginami Ward, where he encountered Shigeru Matsushima, an individual affiliated with the Japanese yakuza and known as Matsushima Cross. Upon reaching the age of 17, Urita joined an organized crime group. In April 2003, while on probation, he was arrested for narcotics possession and use, resulting in a prison sentence of three and a half years.

During his incarceration, he participated in a prison writing contest and competed against 5,500 participants, ultimately securing the grand prize.  According to reports, this event, which marked the first time Urita had ever received a "certificate" in his life, sparked his ambition to pursue a career as a writer. His first book, " Dobunezumi No Ballad," an autobiography, was published in 2008. Subsequently, he released "Piranha U No Machi, Ore Tachi No Kizuna " in 2009. He has authored six additional books, with his most recent publication " An Sir" released in 2021.

The internet book reviews I have perused predominantly commend Urita's literary aptitude and emphasize the captivating nature of his work. I can’t help but wonder about the potential literary prowess that Urita could have achieved and the impact he would have had on the literary realm if he had been awarded a "certificate" at an earlier stage of his education.

List of books:

1. Dobunezumi No Ballad (ISBN 4778311476)

2. Piranha U No Machi, Ore Tachi No Kizuna (ISBN 4778311698)

3. Doro Darake No Arigato Outlaw No Charisma 44 No Message (ISBN 4270005972)

4. Isho - Kanto Rengo Hokai no Shinjitsu to, Aru Kyodai no Kizuna (ISBN 4778314064)

5. Kuni Korose - Kokusatu - Kuni Ga Kuni Wo Koroshiteiru (ISBN 4801905405)

6. BREAKING DOWN (ISBN 4299038074)

7. An Sir (ISBN 4866251486)