The Yakuza

<p>They projected themselves as fearless protectors bound by a code of chivalry, yet in their wake they left trails of bloody street duels and ritualised finger-chopping. From 17th-century dispossessed samurai turned street muggers, to powerful paramilitary bosses infiltrating national politics, the yakuza&#39;s evolution is a masterclass in criminal survival and reinvention.</p> <p>Andrew Rankin, author of &#39;Yakuza: A 400-Year History of the Japanese Underworld&#39;, joins us to uncover the dramatic rise and transformation of Japan&#39;s organised crime syndicates.</p> <p>Produced by James Hickmann and edited by Tim Arstall.</p> <p>Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at <u><a href="https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe</a></u>.</p> <p>You can also email the podcast directly at <a href="mailto:ds.hh@historyhit.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">ds.hh@historyhit.com</a>.</p> <p>Dan Snow&#39;s History Hit is a History Hit podcast.</p> <p>History Hit is part of Little Dot Studios, a Certified B Corp™.</p> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>