Why read Pictures from the Water Trade?

Book cover of Pictures from the Water Trade: An Englishman in Japan

Book description

For several years, John David Morley immersed himself in Japanese life, from learning "Shodo", the art of calligraphy, to frequenting the night-time world of the "water trade", its brothels, clubs and bars. This book is the tale of an Englishman's journey into the enigma of Japan.

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Why read it?

1 author picked Pictures from the Water Trade as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Craig McLachlan

Author

Morley writes from experience in this intriguing look at the “mizu-shōbai” – the “water trade”. “The water trade?” I hear you ask. “Mizu-shōbai” is one of those lovely euphemistic Japanese terms that has no meaning to the uninitiated foreigner, even if they have academically studied the Japanese language, but is a term that is infused in daily Japanese life – the night-time world of cosy bars, cabarets and dare we say it, brothels. This book is a look into the murky evening world that few foreign visitors get to see, even if they have heard rumours of its’ existence. It’s…

From Craig's list on The best books for understanding Japan and the Japanese.