Japanese secret societies

Secret societies in Japan and among the Japanese diaspora. Clubs or organizations whose activities, events, inner functioning, or membership are concealed from non-members. The societies may or may not attempt to conceal their existence. The term usually excludes covert groups, such as intelligence agencies or guerrilla warfare insurgencies, and sometimes even folk religious sects—which are similar to those of Chinese sects as well e.g. White Lotus—that hide their activities and memberships but maintain a public presence.