This analysis feels much like peeping unto a window with a thoughtful guide.

It offers a unique perspective that is both engaging and thought-provoking.

As you read through it, you are drawn into a world of ideas and insights that make you question your own assumptions and beliefs.

The guide's thoughtful approach helps to clarify complex concepts and makes the analysis accessible to a wide range of readers.

Whether you are an expert in the field or simply interested in learning more, this analysis is sure to provide you with a valuable and enriching experience.

It is a must-read for anyone who wants to gain a deeper understanding of the subject matter and expand their intellectual horizons.

Though the scene Allison describes is dated - her fieldwork was in 1982 - it's still a really interesting look into both the hostess club world and the Japanese corporation world, as well as the intersection of the two.

In 1982, when Allison conducted her fieldwork, the hostess club world in Japan was a unique and vibrant subculture. These clubs were places where men from the corporate world would go to unwind and socialize. The hostesses, with their charm and ability to make their clients feel special, played a crucial role in this environment.

At the same time, the Japanese corporation world was highly competitive and demanding. Long working hours and a hierarchical structure were the norms. The intersection of these two worlds was fascinating. The hostess clubs provided a sort of escape for the corporate men, a place where they could relax and forget about the pressures of work.

Allison's description gives us a valuable insight into this complex and often overlooked aspect of Japanese society. It shows us how the hostess club world and the corporate world were intertwined and how they both contributed to the unique culture of Japan in the 1980s.

I was supposed to read this for a class.

However, I skipped that particular week in order to focus on my thesis work.

At that time, I felt that the thesis was of utmost importance and that I needed to dedicate all my time and energy to it.

I thought that sacrificing the reading for that week would not have a significant impact on my overall understanding of the course material.

But now, looking back, I realize that I might have missed out on some valuable insights and discussions that could have enhanced my learning.

I understand the importance of keeping up with the class readings and not skipping any weeks.

In the future, I will make sure to manage my time more effectively so that I can fulfill all my academic responsibilities without having to skip any important tasks.

Anne Allison's book "Nightwork" offers a captivating exploration of a particular facet of the Japanese nightlife.

Even though it was penned over 20 years ago, in numerous respects, it remains highly relevant, despite the continuous changes in Japanese society.

As someone who has never visited such places but has met and knows many women who work or have worked there, I was eager to discover Allison's perspective. She focuses predominantly on the economic, masculinity, and corporate aspects (as the title might suggest), which I find somewhat regrettable. I would have preferred to see more of the women's viewpoints, whether from wives, students, or workers, rather than the rather superficial comments provided.

Her perspective on the role of hostesses' clubs in Japan is quite intriguing, supported by solid research and presented in an easily readable style. It is still very much an American perspective, but she acknowledges this and neatly overcomes some of the limitations. However, on the downside, it is a bit repetitive, a common issue in many academic writings I have encountered, and she seems a bit hesitant to touch on emotions. Men who visit the hostesses' clubs make remarks, perhaps claiming they are forced to be there, etc., but for an ethnography, she doesn't say much about feelings, despite not shying away from expressing her opinion on other aspects, such as the sexuality in that environment.

"Nightwork" will be an interesting read for anyone interested in the subject. However, it doesn't tell many stories of men attempting to flirt with hostesses. For that, perhaps a book or a TV drama would be a better choice.

7/10

An at times truly fascinating insight into the role of hostess clubs within the work lives and masculinity of Japanese men is presented. The Marxist analysis provided was truly engaging and offered a unique perspective. However, I was not the most enthusiastic about the Freudian sections. They seemed a bit less relevant or perhaps a bit too complex for my liking. My absolute favourite part, though, had to be some of the rather interesting insults used to describe women. In particular, the phrase 'Are your breasts on holiday?' is one that I found quite amusing and I'm certain I'll be using it at the next available opportunity. It adds a touch of light-heartedness and a certain quirkiness to the overall narrative.

Again, this might be interesting if I was truly interested in Japanese culture. However, to be honest, my initial enthusiasm was rather limited.

But as I delved deeper, there was one aspect that really stood out and made this exploration somewhat worthwhile.

That was uncovering the various kinds of "interesting" bars and nightclubs that exist in Japan.

The thought of experiencing the unique nightlife scene there, with its own set of氛围 and特色, piqued my curiosity.

It made me wonder what exactly these places had to offer, what kind of music would be playing, and what sort of people I might encounter.

Perhaps it's this element of mystery and the potential for new and exciting experiences that has given me a glimmer of interest in what Japan has to offer in terms of its nightlife.

Who knows, maybe one day I'll actually get the chance to visit some of these bars and nightclubs and see for myself what all the fuss is about.

One of the three books for my AN321 class in Spring 2009 was truly remarkable.

It delved deep into the subject matter, providing detailed and comprehensive information.

The author's writing style was engaging and easy to understand, making it accessible even to those new to the topic.

The book was filled with interesting examples and case studies that brought the concepts to life.

It also had a well-organized structure, with each chapter building upon the previous one.

This made it easy to follow and helped me to better understand the material.

Overall, this book was an essential resource for my AN321 class and I would highly recommend it to anyone interested in the subject.

This book is extremely well written, and it is great fun to read.

I read it during my college days for an anthropology class on Gender.

It is such an engaging book that I often go back and re-read it.

The content within its pages is truly fascinating, drawing me in time and time again.

Each time I pick it up, I discover new insights and perspectives that I may have missed before.

The author's writing style is captivating, making it easy to follow along and understand the complex concepts presented.

Whether you are interested in anthropology, gender studies, or simply a good read, this book is definitely worth checking out.

It has the power to educate, entertain, and inspire, all at the same time.

I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a thought-provoking and enjoyable book.

Anne Allison's "Nightwork" provides a detailed exploration of the hostess club experience in the 1990s and its place in Japanese society.

She reveals the disparity between how society portrays the clubs and the actual reality. Society claims that men, who endure long working hours and tough examinations, deserve the pampering in these clubs as an outlet for their egos.

Japanese society, with its humanized hierarchy where bosses are expected to care for employees, makes the hostess clubs seem like a way for the company to show concern for the men's desires.

However, Allison is skeptical of the consequences. Giving priority to men's work bonding over families creates a cycle where boys grow up with absent fathers, leading to a future generation's need for such services.

Opting out of the hostess club scene often means sacrificing career advancement. Allison concludes that these men enjoy attention for a while but will face a different reality in retirement.

Her description of her time at Bijo and the women there is remarkable. She avoids judging through an American lens and instead tries to understand their role in the Japanese context.

The portrayal of Bijo's Mama, with her expensive kimonos and social skills, shows how she sells a lifestyle to clients.

The hostesses' job of leading conversations, adding sexuality, and creating an elusive relationship is central to the club experience.

Overall, Allison's work offers valuable insights into Japanese culture and the complex dynamics of the hostess club world.

This is a very interesting book. I discovered it while working on a Human Sexuality class assignment in college. Each student was assigned a different country, and I ended up with Japan. In fact, I volunteered to cover Japan because no one else had, and it's one of my all-time favorite places. The book is well-written and effectively debunks some of the stereotypes that prevail in the West regarding Hostess Clubs and the work they do. It provides a genuine breakdown of the industry and an in-depth examination of the lives of those involved. It offers valuable insights into a world that is often misunderstood and misrepresented. By reading this book, I gained a better understanding of the complex dynamics and cultural context surrounding Hostess Clubs in Japan. It was a fascinating read that broadened my perspective and challenged my preconceived notions. I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in learning more about this unique aspect of Japanese culture.

I am most definitely a great admirer of Allinson's writing. The somewhat taboo aspect of this particular topic has piqued my interest to a significant extent.

Allinson meticulously documents the 'Night-work' industry within the Japanese Hostess Clubs in post modern Japan. These clubs are predominantly frequented by groups of businessmen rather than individuals. The groups are entertained by young, female hostesses in the company of the club's 'Mama'. The level of respectability and desirability of these clubs varies widely, with many being extremely expensive and appealing to the upper elites. They differ from prostitution establishments in that sexual acts are not typically paid for; instead, it is the amenities such as food, alcohol, and cigarettes that generate profit.

By reading this ethnography, I was deeply struck by how the Japanese family structure, consisting of the dutiful housewife mother and the hardworking salaryman father, creates a void in the marital relationship where desire and affection would ordinarily reside. The almost filial nature of this relationship lacks the intimacy and passion that characterizes the Western perception of this type of union, at least in the early stages.

This deficiency is then exploited and strengthened by the capitalist industry. By promoting the notion that the salaryman must work continuously and extremely hard to provide financially, his expected role in society is primarily in the workplace. This removes him from any potential family relations, thus creating a disconnection. Moreover, his position in the workplace, within these corporate realms, is also contingent upon his participation in these late-night hostess group outings. However, these places serve to deplete his income in order to showcase his masculinity, both to himself and the group. As a result, he must then maintain his intense work schedule to fund these outings, and in doing so, further distances himself from his family and wife.

Additionally, these clubs capitalize on the masculine ideals, which are arguably quite universal, of male sexuality being equated with power and masculinity. These environments fulfill and fuel the desire to be perceived as masculine by allowing the overt and often vulgar sexualization of the hostesses, in contrast to the purity and motherly image of their wives at home. Consequently, men are likely to return to have their masculinity validated, their sexuality aroused, and group male bonding reinforced. All the while, family relationships suffer, and corporate capitalist structures, such as the men's employers and the hostess clubs' management, profit.

I also found the contrast between these often rowdy males and the almost gender-neutral presence of the waiter to be quite remarkable. Perhaps in order not to be seen as threatening the vulnerable status of the patrons, he must remain almost invisible. The exaggerations and different manifestations of stereotypical genders throughout the ethnography were extremely interesting - constant performances for status, for money, and for self-identity.

Borne of a doctoral dissertation in anthropology, Nightwork: Sexuality, Pleasure, and Corporate Masculinity in a Tokyo Hostess Club is an academic exploration of a particular cultural phenomenon.

What lies behind the practice of male white-collar Japanese workers going out drinking after work at hostess clubs at company expense? While often regarded as a "Japanese" ritual for men to relieve workplace tensions and bond in a relaxed social setting, the author, Anne Allison, does not accept such an essentialist explanation.

In addition to conducting interviews, surveys, and conferring with other academics, Allison also worked at one club, Bijo, for several months. She sat with men, pouring drinks, lighting cigarettes, and smoothing over conversations that were often sexual, flirtatious, and aimed at flattering the male patrons.

She delves into the activities that occur at these clubs, their functions, and how they shape identities related to work, play, sex, and gender relations. However, it should be noted that the work was carried out in the early 1980s, prior to the economic collapse, so it may not accurately reflect contemporary Japan.

At times, Allison blurs the line between specifically discussing those who participate in this phenomenon (the male patrons and female hostesses) and generalizing it to all Japanese. Not all Japanese men are sarariimen. Moreover, there are long sections where she cites only one or two sources. Nevertheless, this is an accessible study of a specific social practice, nothing more and nothing less.