Butterflies of the Night: Mama-Sans, Geisha, Strippers, and the Japanese Men They Serve (Hardcover)

by Lisa Louis (Author)
Key Phrases: mizu shobai world, shobai women, ejaculation industry, Club Regent, Kyoto's Gion, Club Rouen (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
This book takes the reader on a tour behind the scenes of Japan's famous and infamous mizu shobai, the nightlife industry that caters to the sensual needs and appetites of Japanese men. From cabarets and hostess bars to pink salons and soaplands to the most refined geisha entertainment, the author exposes to Western eyes a complete and unadorned portrait of Japanese nighlife, including its patrons and those who serve them, its Yakuza connections, and its crucial role in Japanese life and business.

About the Author
Lisa Louis? publications include a book and articles on Japan and other Asian topics. Ms. Louis runs a Japanese translation business in San Francisco. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Weatherhill; 1st edition (May 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 083480249X
• ISBN-13: 978-0834802490
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.8 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,605,776 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

35 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, informative, enlightening., April 28, 1999

By A Customer

This book is well written, sensitive, and informative. Many people believe that the difficult life of the geisha, and other women who entertain men in Japan, is a thing of the past. This book clearly shows that in modern Japan women are still being treated according to centuries-old customs. I have also read Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden. The many people who enjoyed that novel (and kept it on the bestseller list for over a year) would enjoy Butterflies of the Night. I have heard, on very good authority, that when Butterflies of the Night was first published Ms. Louis was asked to appear on several top television shows. The producers of the shows wanted to sensationalize the material. Ms. Louis declined making an appearance, saying that she wasn't going to go on national television to discuss some unfortunate Japanese women and rake them over the coals. Ms. Louis sensitivity and ethics shine through in her work.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the more Informative books on Japan's night life, March 11, 1999

By A Customer

Ms.Louis's book is truly amazing, telling the untold stories of the mizu shobai, and the women that work in it.

Having worked in a hostess club herself, she shares her expirences, good and bad, in a beautiful tone. She goes into great detail about the hardships some of these women go through, just to stay alive.

This book is wondeful and I think everyone with a passion for Japan should read it!!

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Unique Perspective on Japanese Night Life, January 10, 2001

By	S Cook "ninjagirl" (Dallas, Texas United States) - See all my reviews

The author Lisa Louis is an American who traveled to Japan and actually lived there for a number of years. When in need of some extra money she dabbled in the night life profession herself as a hostess at a bar where she poured drinks and entertained men. She is also fluent in the Japanese language. It?s because of these things that I think she was able to write such a compelling book. Since she has been a part of both cultures she is able to explain things to an American audience in a way that we can relate to.

I also really like the layout of the book. She starts out with her story and what compelled her to make the book. But without assuming she is all-knowing on the subject matter. She recruited numerous others to tell their stories as well.

I got the book because of my interest in Geisha but learned so much more than I ever expected to. I had no idea of so many of these things! It was quite a page turner as you?re eager to learn even more.