In 2013, when working as a hostess in Tokyo, Chloé Jafé met a boss in the local mafia. For the following six years, the French photographer documented women married to members of the Yakuza in her project I Give You My Life.

Her images reveal hidden sides to the wives of men in the Japanese underworld – including the tattoos that cover their bodies. “They are more like armour, ‘omamori’ in Japanese, they are like protections,” says Jafé in this video.

Produced by Andrea Savorani Neri and Eleonore Voisard.

Press the play button above to watch the video. For more films like this, visit the BBC Reel Secret Worlds playlist.

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