Pink Samurai: Love, Marriage and Sex in Contemporary Japan [Hardcover]

Nicholas Bornoff (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

This graphic treatment of the evolution of the mizu shobai-- that much talked-about world of sexual freedom that exists in Japan--follows the "foreigner investigates" style of writing. Giving less space to love and marriage than to sex in its many guises, Bornoff seeks to guide the reader from a series of tatemae (if it looks good it is good) vignettes to the honne (real) sexual soul of the Japanese people. Although most of the modern references to the goings-on in Tokyo and elsewhere ring true, the inclusion of an analytical summary after 470+ pages of description seems like an afterthought and leaves one wondering if the writer was more interested in titillating storytelling than in highlighting the maturity of the Japanese. The book redeems itself somewhat in pointing out truly destructive trends that show the currents of change in Japanese popular culture. For comprehensive collections. Photos not seen.
- Mike Heines, USAF Rome Lab., N.Y.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 492 pages
• Publisher: Pocket Books; First Edition edition (May 1, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0671742655
• ISBN-13: 978-0671742652
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6 x 1.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #908,109 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars schlock scholarship, February 19, 2001

By 

Brian Watson "brian from studiomomo.com" (New Westminster, BC, Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Pink Samurai: Love, Marriage and Sex in Contemporary Japan (Hardcover)

Mr Bornoff has apparently done a lot of research for this book, although no bibliography is given to take the interested user to a level beyond his colloquial interviews. To be honest, there were several places where a lack of more scholarship was not only disappointing but misleading. In several instances the etymology of Japanese words was mistaken (although the author used the same answers you might get from an average Japanese). Typograhical errors also abound, making it a distracting read. The book is also insulting in that the author's opinion's on several subjects, from prostitution to homosexuality, form a thick veil which prevents him from presenting more objective data. Also, to devote a scant few pages to the topic of homosexuality (while peppering those pages with his own revulsed bias) was a major disservice. Nearly anyone writing in 1988 could have found much more on the subject. As others have noted, the book is dated. Japan has changed greatly in the intervening years, and the book is best viewed as a snaphot of attitudes (barely facts) of 1988. On the positive note, the author does go into greater detail on historical content than similar books to date. A bibliography, again, would have enhanced this material greatly.

3 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A fascinating view of society & women in Japanese history, October 7, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Pink Samurai: Love, Marriage and Sex in Contemporary Japan (Hardcover)

readable trip to different areas of Japanese history and society.Examines impact of social upheavals on the status of women. Considers contemporary and historical issues (geisha to "compensated dating")

Julie Phelps