Customer Reviews

The Nightless City: Geisha and Courtesan Life in Old Tokyo (Dover Books on History, Political and Social Science)

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Published in 1899 The Nightless City is a priceless historical document of a study of the Yoshiwara Yukwaku, Tokoyo's infamous red-light district. 386 pages about traditions, folklore, costumes, erotic practices, price lists, menus, legal documents, laws, hair styles and much, much, more. Looked at as a necessary evil, the district lasted till 1957, when its end was mourned across the world. I am not joking. I mourn its loss as I type. A dumping ground for surplus daughters, a place of slavery and refinement, of sin and beauty, where pleasure was but a business and an art. Any anybody interested in Japanese history, or just the history of sin, should pick up this book.

I adore this novel. It is a delightful history of Japanese courtesan culture (possibly the most glamorous time & place in history) and that makes this novel a truly rare find. The emotional depth was stunning, as were pictures and photographs. It was written around the turn of the century, and definitely reads that way. There were also a lot of Japanese words used regularly. I like glimpses into history, as well as other languages. If that's not something that really interests you, I wouldn't consider this book.