Yakuza. Code of Blood

Yakuza — one of the most recognizable yet simultaneously closed criminal organizations in the world. Behind impeccable suits, intricate tattoos, and legends of samurai honor lies a harsh system of subordination, violence, and money. This book traces the path of Japanese clans from players and street vendors of the Edo period to influential syndicates that have infiltrated business, politics, and the entertainment industry. Who are oyabun and kobun? Why do offending clan members sever their finger phalanges? How could the yakuza operate almost openly for decades — and can it survive in 21st century Japan? You will learn how the Japanese mafia is structured from the inside and what price those who become part of the clan pay. This is a story of a world where loyalty serves as currency, violence — as a tool of power, and honor — as a cover for fear.