Welcome back to the world of Japanese gangsters. During our first visit, we learnt who the yakuza were, and when and how films about their exploits came to dominate cinemas in the Land of the Rising Sun. Today, however, we shall examine the people behind the success of ninkyō eiga, see what Toei’s competitors were…

(BLOOD + HONOUR) × FAMILY = YAKUZA EIGA Japanese cinema is commonly associated with three types of hero—or antihero: the samurai or rōnin, the giant monster à la Godzilla and the yakuza. The last of these is a gangster with an elaborate tattoo covering his back and a highly specific understanding of honour, who has…