スポーツの日 Supōtsu no Hi. This Japanese national holiday was established in 1966 as 体育の日 Taiiku no hi (literally Phys Ed Day). I’m pretty sure it was still called that when I was in Japan (1986-92). The Japanese associate the coming of autumn with reading books and enjoying sports. Anyway, it became Sports Day in 2000 as a new Monday holiday. Let’s celebrate by reading a non-fiction book about Japan.
Night Work: Sexuality, Pleasure and Corporate Masculinity in a Tokyo Hostess Club – Anne Allison
In the 1980s, Allison, now a professor of cultural anthropology at Duke, conducted field research by working as a hostess in a Tokyo nightclub. Her role involved entertaining Japanese business executives with karaoke, drinks, and flattery. Her 1994 book explores why large Japanese companies fund such entertainment for their male employees.
Allison argues that hostess clubs help white-collar men bond, foster company loyalty, and boost their egos. She claims that the interplay of work and play enhances job performance. The clubs offer short-term excitement without disrupting work commitments, as the interactions are non-sexual, maintaining a “respectable” image and preventing jealousy among colleagues.
Allison’s fieldwork included interviews and background reading. She found the hostess role manageable due to her teaching and language skills, though enduring crude remarks was challenging. She notes that not all business executives enjoy these outings, and their wives tolerate the extra hours as necessary for career advancement.
Overall, the book is recommended for those interested in gender relations, women’s studies, or Japanese nightlife, despite some academic jargon.
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