Stephen and Ethel Longstreet bring the reader on an in-depth tour of the original and most infamous red-light district in Japan—the Yoshiwara district of old Tokyo.
The Yoshiwara also fostered a rich culture and much-studied artistic and literary tradition. This account is adorned with examples of fine woodblock prints and quotations from often bawdy, and always colorful, original sources that offer a gripping portrait of life within the pleasure zone.
Geishas and the Floating World balances scholarly insight with a master storyteller’s flair for the exploits and intrigues of people operating outside the confines of polite society. Stephen Mansfield’s new introduction bridges time, examining the Yoshiwara through contemporary eyes, highlighting often overlooked subtleties and the harsh realities associated with this glittering world.