A fascinating look at the underworld of Japan from one man's perspective, one of the last traditional gang bosses. His story starts back a little before 1907 and it goes up through his final days, all as told to his doctor over a number of months. The story progressed a little slower and more relaxed than most things that I usually read, but the ride was enjoyable. ( )

I picked this up in Narita airport and read it during the flight to Paris - a pretty easy read. A doctor tells the story of a late patient of his, who was a yakuza in his younger days. Less dramatic than I expected, but still pretty interesting. ( )

Life in the early 20th Century underworld in Japan. ( )