**Expanded Article**

4.5


Though he is told to work hard as a man, the image presented is that of a male who is tough, in control, and entitled to have his pleasures and desires satisfied by a woman who is not his wife. This image, however, comes at a cost. Not only does it require a man to continuously work hard to earn the money to maintain it, but it also keeps him so busy that his ability to enjoy the supposed sexual fruits of his success may easily become impaired. It serves as a sign of what corporate Japan extracts from a man and a charge that corporate careers can leave even the most successful white-collar workers feeling crippled and incomplete. (p.191)


I had the sense that many people who picked up this book were anticipating a more narrativized account of the author's time working as a hostess at a Japanese host club as part of her research into the titular topic. Frankly, I did too. But given that this is an expansion of her doctoral thesis, it is much more academic than salacious.


The author truly leaves no stone unturned when it comes to sources and further reading opportunities. Her bibliography is impressive, encompassing Japanese scholars, western scholars of Japanese studies, mangaka, theorists from the Frankfurt School of thought, and even Marx himself. All in pursuit of answering her central question: 'why are Japanese salarymen so obsessed with hostess clubs that the entirety of corporate culture revolves around them?'


We receive her answers to that question in due time, but we get more than just that. This is a wonderfully intersectional approach to the subject. We discuss the construct of marriage in Japan and how it is socially reinforced. We talk about the relationships that this construct leads to between wives and husbands, and mothers and sons, and how it is cyclical by design. We also explore how the Japanese workplace has incredibly malleable boundaries, and how that blurry line between work and play lends itself to corporate outings to hostess clubs, which are often paid for by the company.


This is anthropology through a feminist lens, so there is definitely an emphasis on including the voices of the other hostesses, the host club's 'mama', and the wives of the men who visit the host club. However, because it is a truly feminist approach to anthropology, and on a topic exploring male identity, she spends a significant portion of the text highlighting the many ways that patriarchy underpins the suffering of the men within that system. She implies that if we let go of that belief system, these men would be able to have functional, loving, healthy relationships with their wives and children.


Indeed, the entirety of 'Nightwork' is written with an incredible amount of empathy for everyone involved. As stated by George Marcus of Rice University, \\"Allison manages to address with new power the elite Japanese work ethic, so much feared in the West, through the seamy, but finally sympathetic predicament of the 'sarariiman.'\\"


However, though the focus is on a Japan-specific phenomenon, she is careful not to present it as inherently Japanese and critiques scholars who do. This was an important point to make because, although hostess clubs as such are not entrenched in Western corporate culture, much of what she observes about how the hostess clubs operate to build up and reinforce the construct of masculinity applies to any patriarchal society.


She goes to great lengths to develop a somewhat (and by somewhat, I mean very) pathetic conclusion about how masculinity and the hostess club intertwine and why men spend so much money there despite rarely if ever actually having sex with any of the hostesses.

The sexuality [at a hostess club] is masturbatory; the erotic object is not the woman, but the man, and the female is just a device to enhance the male's self-image. (p.183) Whether he talks about his thirty-foot penis or his joy in collecting stamps, the hostess is supposed to hear him out, comment on what he says, and swear that the qualities he has revealed are exactly what a woman like herself finds irresistibly attractive. The hostess is not supposed to challenge the man's presentation of himself, and she is never to coopt his authority by reversing their roles. (p.177)

She also delves into the even more uncomfortable territory of how mothers are involved in all this. Given the relatively hands-off approach to parenting in a patriarchal system when it comes to a man's relationship with his children, sons are almost exclusively raised by and live alone with their mothers. And their mothers' self-worth becomes tied to her son's academic and career success - success she is de-incentivized to achieve for herself. Because of this, they tend to coddle their sons well into their teenage years and even into their young adulthood. And because the Japanese school system is designed to be so hyper-competitive, students have virtually no time and definitely no space of their own to form romantic relationships or relationships of any kind with women or girls outside of their mother.


These boys then grow into men with no sense of how to interact with a woman who isn't there to take care of them. But because being dependent on a woman would be emasculating, a key aspect of visiting hostess clubs that Allison points out is loudly objectifying and insulting the hostess' appearance. \\"A comment like \\"Your breasts are as flat as a board\\" is intended to be crude; it verifies the man's right to be crude at the expense of, and through the vehicle of the mizu shobai [sex worker] woman [...] it is less an overture to something heterosexual with a woman than it is a homosocial statement about being a man.\\" (p.180)


This is all especially relevant in a post-Barbie (2023) world. Really, much of the misreading of that movie comes down to not understanding the very phenomena described in the above quote. But that's a discussion for another time...


The one drawback in 'Nightwork' is the fact that some of the ideas can feel a bit repetitive if you read the text straight through like I did rather than jumping between or only reading a few sections. I don't think it could have been easily avoided, but towards the end there are moments that seem like they're beating a dead horse. This is par for the course in academic, textbook-style texts, but it's worth noting.


Nevertheless, this is a fantastic piece of ethnographic anthropology, and despite being published in the early '90s, much of it (sadly) still feels relevant today.

I literally laughed out loud when I read one of the top reviews that gave the book a poor rating simply because it "wasn't as fun" as the reader had expected. This book offers a really approachable and informative exploration of host clubs and their cultural role during the time it was written.

If anyone who is knowledgeable in this area comes across this review, I would truly appreciate it if they could recommend other scholarly works on the host industry, especially those covering the following decades: the 90s, 00s, and 10s. It is evident that the industry has undergone significant evolution over the years.

I am eager to learn more about how the host industry has changed and developed during these periods. Any recommendations would be greatly valued and would help me in my further research on this topic.

An insightful anthropological account of Tokyo hostess bars during the 1980s offers a fascinating exploration.

Beyond simply describing the activities within the bars, this book delves deep into analyzing the institutional function of these venues. It also examines the various impacts, particularly on the bar's male patrons, including aspects such as subjectivity, sexuality, and home life. Significantly, it outlines and critiques the flaws of earlier analyses, mostly by Japanese scholars, which often tautologically attributed such phenomena solely to 'Japanese culture'. Allison skillfully provides more comprehensive and satisfying answers regarding what is happening, how, why, and for whom. This was written at a time when an anthropology of Japanese hostess bars was not highly regarded as a serious subject for inquiry.

However, it must be noted that the book was researched and written in the 1980s, prior to Japan's economic bubble burst. During that era, large companies could more realistically promise lifetime employment and had abundant funds for company entertainment. Additionally, more mothers could focus on childrearing and household duties with less financial worry. I wonder how much things have changed since then and to what extent the world described in the book is a product of its specific time period.

Not at all light reading, and probably outdated too as the research was done in the 80’s.

However, since I have a keen interest in Japanese culture, this book still held a certain allure for me.

I was well aware of what I was getting myself into with this one. At times, it was extremely dry reading.

It wasn't all interesting, but there were definitely parts that caught my attention.

Moreover, as I am learning Japanese, I picked up a few new words.

Probably not ones that I would be wise to repeat in front of my sensei!

Certainly, this is not a book that I would recommend to everyone.

I most enjoyed the retelling of the author's own experiences working in a hostess club.

While some of the bits about wives being trapped with unfaithful husbands due to financial reasons and men's inability to relate to women were rather sad.

I truly hope that's something that has changed over time since this book was written.

The Japanese work culture and attitude towards work is something that I will probably never fully understand.

To be honest, it seems rather awful.

But this book does offer a partial explanation.

Much as I would love to live in Japan, I don't think I could endure the heavy workload for too long!

If you are seeking a non-fiction narrative that features a seedy and sexy underside to captivate your attention, then this is the wrong book for you.

If that is the type of experience you were anticipating, this book will seem dull and repetitive.

However, when it comes to functioning as a purely academic essay that delves deeply into the role of gender, sex, and status in late 1980s Japan, it absolutely meets the mark.

It wasn't the book I had initially expected, but I was completely intrigued by the one I ended up with.

The author's exploration of these complex themes in the context of that specific time and place is both thought-provoking and enlightening.

Despite not being the thrilling and steamy read I might have hoped for, it offers a valuable and engaging perspective on an important aspect of Japanese society during a particular era.

I found myself drawn in by the detailed analysis and the author's ability to present the information in a clear and accessible manner.

Overall, while it may not be everyone's cup of tea, this book has its own unique charm and makes for a worthwhile read for those interested in the subject matter.

I read this article because it was a requirement for my anthropology class. However, to my surprise, I actually really enjoyed it.

The aspect of Japanese culture that this article presented is super interesting. It delved into a side of Japanese society that I had not previously known much about.

The author's approach to presenting this information made it really fun to learn about. They used engaging language and provided vivid examples that brought the concepts to life.

Overall, I am glad that I had to read this article for my class as it has opened my eyes to a new and fascinating area of Japanese culture. I look forward to learning more about it in the future.

Nightwork is indeed a book that offers a unique perspective as it precisely delves into hostess clubs in Japan from sociological and anthropological viewpoints. However, it faces several challenges that make it a difficult read to recommend to the general public.

The subject matter of hostess clubs is rather specific. These clubs are places where men, often on company expense accounts, gather to socialize with colleagues and potential business partners. Hostesses are assigned to tables to perform tasks such as lighting cigarettes, pouring drinks, and maintaining conversations. It's important to note that these are not prostitution or sex clubs; instead, they sell the allure of sex. The hostesses and club owners aim to make men feel intelligent, attractive, and desirable for a significant hourly fee.

I was drawn to this book because I had heard about hostess clubs during my time in Japan but had never known anyone who had visited one. It seems they are not as prevalent as they once were, and I don't have friends in management positions who have a legitimate reason to visit on company funds. The early chapters provide an overview of a typical visit, the layout of the clubs, and the reasons why companies view such visits as an investment in their employees.

Nevertheless, the book has a major drawback - it has become extremely outdated. The author spent a few months as a hostess in 1981, and the book was published in 1994. Many of the cited works date back to the 70s and 80s, and it's certain that research has advanced significantly in the past 30 years.
Despite its flaws, Nightwork can still offer some value to those who study Japan, speak Japanese, and are familiar with the culture. However, for those with a more casual interest, it would be advisable to look for other resources.

Nightwork has its merits, but its outdated nature and specific subject matter limit its appeal.

I took the course where she taught some content from this book.

It was absolutely brilliant.

The way she presented the material was engaging and easy to understand.

She had a great knowledge of the subject matter and was able to convey it in a clear and concise manner.

The examples she used were relevant and helped to solidify the concepts in my mind.

I found myself looking forward to each class and was sad when the course ended.

This book served as a great resource for the course and I would highly recommend it to anyone interested in the subject.

I also highly recommend taking a course with this instructor if you have the opportunity.

She is truly an outstanding educator and I feel very fortunate to have had her as my teacher.

**Massage Parlors of the Ego**

For many years, Japan's diligent salarymen have frequented special clubs after work hours. These clubs offer them a chance to unwind, drink, and be entertained by women. In the past, geishas served a similar purpose, but now, the traditional aspects of Japanese culture embodied by the geisha have become outdated. The salarymen now desire a more modern type of woman.

Anne Allison, an anthropologist, worked as a hostess in one of these clubs for several months in the 1980s. Despite not hiding her identity, she was still accepted as a hostess. The result is this captivating and well-written book that answers several important questions. It not only provides an engrossing description of her research but also presents her views on the ideas of various Japanese sociologists.
Allison argues that hostess clubs are a nexus where attitudes and expectations regarding work, play, sex, gender roles, identity, and money converge. The companies, by making "play" an extension of "work" and isolating the salarymen from their family lives, are able to maximize their productivity. Japanese companies believe that spending hundreds or thousands of dollars on short periods of drinking and chatting with hostesses enhances business deals and improves human relations. However, Allison contends that hostess clubs primarily function as a place where men's egos are massaged by the attentive and flattering behavior of the hostesses.
Like other modern ethnographies of Japan, such as Edward Fowler's "San'ya Blues", this book offers a unique perspective on Japanese culture and society. It is a must-read for anyone teaching a course on Japanese culture or society, a graduate student in Japanese studies, or someone interested in gender and role formation in any society. The book is well-organized and clearly-written, making it accessible to a wide range of readers.

I truly relished this text. It earns 4 stars. The reason is that while some portions were a bit repetitive, other sections could have incorporated more analysis. For example, a more in-depth exploration of the clubs would have been beneficial.

Readers should take note that this text was published in 1994 and was based on fieldwork conducted in the 1980s, during the prime of the Japanese economy and consumerism. Since then, the economy has declined. I am curious to observe how this has affected the mizo shobai in the 2000s. I would be intrigued to read a more contemporary analysis, one that also delves into the male-led host clubs. This would provide a more comprehensive understanding of the subject matter and how it has evolved over time.

Perhaps a new study could compare the mizo shobai in the 1980s with its current state, highlighting the changes and continuities. It could also examine the role of the male-led host clubs in the context of the changing economic and social landscape. Such an analysis would not only be of academic interest but also offer valuable insights into the cultural and social fabric of Japan.

I absolutely adored this book, and my students felt the same way.

Allison's writing style is remarkable. She uses clear and straightforward language that is extremely easy to follow. This makes it accessible not only to those who are well-versed in the subject matter but also to those who may be new to it.

What's more, she does an excellent job of explaining theoretical concepts. She presents them in a way that is engaging and understandable, ensuring that the reader can truly grasp the ideas being presented.

But perhaps the most fascinating aspect of the book is the insights it provides into the Tokyo bar scene. For most North Americans, this is a world that is completely foreign and inaccessible. However, through Allison's vivid descriptions and detailed accounts, the reader is able to get a sense of what it's like to be in a Tokyo bar, experiencing the unique atmosphere and culture that exists there.

Overall, I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in learning more about Tokyo's bar scene or who simply enjoys a well-written and engaging read.

The only individuals who will ever manage to successfully read this book are those who are being compelled to do so by cruel anthropology professors. I managed to get through the introduction. It consumed a significant amount of my time. And I convinced myself that it could only improve from that point on. To be quite frank, I told myself that I would persevere with the reading, but in reality, I never did. I simply couldn't bring myself to do it.

It is truly disheartening when an author takes an inherently interesting subject matter and somehow manages to render it so uninteresting that I am unable to read their book. What's rather comical is that the author writes this in the introduction:

"A word about my ethnographic style in part 1: I have attempted to make this section as readable and accessible as possible, assuming that many readers who are interested in the phenomenon of company-paid entertainment at hostess clubs will be uninterested in certain debates, theories, and discourses within the discipline of anthropology."

This bothersome sentence, in which she implies that she is going to be accessible, is, in and of itself, evidence that it will never come to pass. The sentence is unintentionally amusing.