Edo Period (1603-1868). Roots of the law -- Lawmen and their assistants -- Behind bars -- The death penalty -- Famous rogues -- Criminal women courted cruel fates -- Exile and rehabilitation -- Quacks, phonies and other con artists of yore -- Scary times for foreigners -- Meiji Period (1868-1912). Early Meiji times -- The mid-Meiji period -- Foreigners in Japan -- The late Meiji period -- Taisho Period (1912-1926). The early Taisho period -- The late Taisho period -- Showa (1926-1989) and Heisei (1989- ) Periods. The early Showa period -- The war years -- The postwar period -- Rightists and leftists -- Urban crimes and celebrity criminals -- Faceless killers, unknown motives -- The aum debacle.