Geisha Confidential

Author : Mark Coggins
Publisher : Down & Out Books
Page : 273 pages
File Size : 41,5 Mb
Release : 2024-03-04
Category : Fiction
ISBN : 8210379456XXX

Get Book

Geisha Confidential by Mark Coggins Pdf

Someone is trying to murder Japanese bar hostess Coco Ono. Tokyo’s transphobic police won’t investigate, so she turns to American private eye August Riordan. Riordan is a complete fish out of water in Japan—doesn’t know the language, isn’t on speaking terms with sushi, hasn’t even traveled outside the US—but Coco has been told Riordan makes things happen. And happen they do: from the minute Riordan’s size 12 Florsheims hit the ground in Tokyo, he is fending off attackers. Riordan and Coco are drawn into a conspiracy involving multiple yakuza clans, popular celebrities, and politicians at the very highest level of government. The bizarre crime they find at the center rattles the country’s power structure and jeopardizes both their lives. A roiling chankonabe (sumo wrestler stew) of love hotels, cryptocurrency fraud, “soapland” brothels and the Japanese Adult Video industry, Geisha Confidential is an immersive exploration of a culture like no other and a must-read for fans of international crime fiction. Critical Acclaim for Geisha Confidential: “Combine a beautiful trans bar hostess, a jet-lagged American PI, the yakuza, cryptocurrency trading, murder, Tokyo and stir. What you get is Coggins’s masterful Geisha Confidential. A genius combination of a classic PI tale and the unique.” —Reed Farrel Coleman, New York Times bestselling author of Sleepless City “Mark Coggins…outdoes himself with this tale of sexual shenanigans that range from the lowest soapland Tokyo brothels to the highest levels of Japanese government... [He] is a gifted artist whose award-winning photos of Tokyo settings enhance his witty, razor-sharp prose.” —John Billheimer, Edgar Award-winning author of the Owen Allison and Lloyd Keaton series

Author : Lesley Downer
Publisher : Unknown
Page : 434 pages
File Size : 52,9 Mb
Release : 2001
Category : Geishas
ISBN : 0747264260

Get Book

Geisha by Lesley Downer Pdf

Ever since Westerners arrived in Japan, we have been intrigued by geisha. This fascination has spawned a wealth of fictional creations from Madame Butterfly to Arthur Golden's Memoirs of a Geisha. The reality of the geisha's existence has rarely been described. Contrary to popular opinion, geisha are not prostitutes but literally arts people. Their accomplishments might include singing, dancing or playing a musical instrument but, above all, they are masters of the art of conversation, soothing worries of highly paid businessmen who can afford their attentions. The real secret history of the geisha is explored here.

Author : Lesley Downer
Publisher : Crown
Page : 304 pages
File Size : 51,6 Mb
Release : 2002-01-08
Category : History
ISBN : 9780767909723

Get Book

Women of the Pleasure Quarters by Lesley Downer Pdf

From critically acclaimed author and Japanese scholar Lesley Downer, an enchanting portrait of the mysterious world of the geisha. Ever since Westerners arrived in Japan, they have been intrigued by Japanese womanhood and, above all, by geisha. This fascination has spawned a wealth of extraordinary fictional creations, from Puccini's Madama Butterfly to Arthur Golden's Memoirs of a Geisha. The reality of the geisha's existence, though, whether today or in history, has rarely been addressed. Contrary to popular opinion, geisha are not prostitutes but, literally, "arts people." Their accomplishments include singing, dancing, playing a musical instruments; but above all, they are masters of the art of conversation, soothing the worries and stroking the egos of the wealthy businessmen who can afford their attentions. It is this which imbues the geisha with such power—and which makes absolute secrecy such a crucial aspect of their work. As denizens of a world defined by silence and mystery, geisha are notoriously difficult to meet and even to find. Lesley Downer, an award- winning writer, Japanese scholar, and consummate storyteller, gained more access into this world than almost any other Westerner ever has and spent several months living among them. In Women of the Pleasure Quarters, she weaves together intimate portraits of modern geisha with the romantic legends and colorful historical tales of geisha of the past. From Sadda Yakko, who dined with American presidents and had her portrait painted by Picasso, to Koito, a modern-day geisha who maintains her own website, geisha throughout history step out of the pages of Women of the Pleasure Quarters to become living, breathing creatures. Looking into such traditions as mizuage, the ritual deflowering which was once a rite of passage for all geisha, and providing colorful depictions of the geisha's dress, training, and homes, Downer, with grace, elegance, and respect, transforms their reality in a captivating narrative that both informs and entertains. At once a symbol of a bygone age and an institution more quintessentially Japanese than any other, geisha are a society at a crossroads, struggling to reinvent their place in the new millennium while honoring the traditions of the past. Both instructive and evocative, Women of the Pleasure Quarters is an enthralling portrait of a world unlike any other.

Author : Khoon Choy Lee
Publisher : World Scientific
Page : 318 pages
File Size : 48,8 Mb
Release : 1995
Category : History
ISBN : 9810218656

Get Book

Japan by Khoon Choy Lee Pdf

This work, written by an ex-Ambassador to Japan, is a first-hand account and observation of the various aspects of Japanese society ? political, historical, social and economic. It introduces themes such as Japanese religions and the political system, as well as describing and explaining many of the country's rich traditions. The author's personal experiences of Japan are interspersed with historical tales and factual details, providing an insight into Japanese behavior, thinking and way of life. This book will be immensely useful to those who wish to gain a deeper knowledge and understanding of the Japanese mind. It is the result of a four-year stay in Japan by the author, a Singaporean ex-Ambassador and politician.

Author : Gato (Comic book artist)
Publisher : Unknown
Page : 7 pages
File Size : 40,5 Mb
Release : 1989
Category : Comic books, strips, etc
ISBN : UOM:39015101409137

Get Book

Geisha Secret by Gato (Comic book artist) Pdf

Author : Jack Getze
Publisher : Down & Out Books
Page : 274 pages
File Size : 49,8 Mb
Release : 2024-03-18
Category : Fiction
ISBN : 8210379456XXX

Get Book

Before the Rain by Jack Getze Pdf

A Special Operations “fixer” for Homeland Security, U.S. Marine General Ray Hauser, teams up with Air Force Special Agent Sunny Hicks to recover a stolen GAU-8, the Gatling-gun like nose cannon of the military’s most destructive gunship, the A-10 Warthog. The weapon fires three thousand rounds a minute, each round’s explosive power equal to a stick of dynamite. Attached to a flatbed trailer, parked near Los Angeles traffic at rush hour, three thousand people could die within police response time. Ray has another, more personal incentive to find those who stole the horrific weapon. His wife, Alissa, went missing years ago investigating a similar theft inside the same Arizona desert. If he can solve the GAU-8 case, there’s a chance he can discover what happened to his presumably dead wife, even catch her killers. But that stolen Gatling-gun-like cannon also holds special attraction for Jessie Maris, unhappy wife of the weapon’s chief thief, Nolan Maris, a career criminal who plans to sell the GAU-8 for half a million. Jessie has been abused all her life, especially by the judge in a Family Court case many years ago. When her husband Nolan keeps her in the dark about his plans, then physically beats her, Jessie goes on a rampage that leads her and the GAU-8 to an old abuser and a crowd of innocents. Can Hicks and Hauser stop her? U.S. Special Operations never dealt with a battered, over-the-edge woman like Jessie before.

Author : Jeffery Hess
Publisher : Down & Out Books
Page : 249 pages
File Size : 48,5 Mb
Release : 2024-03-25
Category : Fiction
ISBN : 8210379456XXX

Get Book

Pascagoula Run and Other Stories by Jeffery Hess Pdf

Amongst this assemblage are stories that have never been seen before, many of which have appeared in literary journals, magazines, or anthologies, and others that found their way into some of Hess’s novels. Crime stories, all, and most on the Noir side of the spectrum. The characters and their environs change, but the trouble never ends. They all bring it on themselves, but that doesn’t stop any of them in moments like that. If you know, you know. Even if you don’t, you’ll be riveted by this stellar lineup of heroes and heroines and the damage they inflict. Critical Acclaim for Pascagoula Run: “Miscreants and ne’er-do-wells abide front-and-center—Pascagoula Run and Other Stories is an intriguing collection of suspenseful short story gems, many of them weaved with Hess’s deliciously dark sense of character-based humor. I thoroughly enjoyed this potent craft cocktail of nineteen Florida-centric stories blended to savory and spicy perfection.” —John Shepphird, author of Bottom Feeders, The Shill Trilogy, and Deception Specialist “In this gritty, somewhat crazed collection of short stories Jeff Hess has fashioned a world both boisterous and despairing. These bold novelistic tales are constantly engaging and memorable. Better yet, they are cinematic and pure fun to read.” —Fred Leebron, author of Six Figures, Out West, Welcome to Christiania, and The News Said It Was

Author : John Shepphird
Publisher : Down & Out Books
Page : 242 pages
File Size : 47,6 Mb
Release : 2024-04-15
Category : Fiction
ISBN : 8210379456XXX

Get Book

Deception Specialist by John Shepphird Pdf

Rooting out deception is Jack O’Shea’s stock-in-trade. On the road to redemption from his criminal past, reformed-swindler-turned-private-eye Jack O’Shea investigates a strange death at a shadowy Northern California mountain college—a “visa mill” with clandestine ties to Silicon Valley. Accompanied by his retired racing greyhound, Jack discovers the college is built on top of an abandoned gold mine. Dark secrets lie below. As he investigates the suspicious death, Jack’s prior sins come back to haunt. He suspected one day there’d be a knock on his door. Deception may be his specialty but not everything is as it appears. Jack O’Shea was first introduced in a series of short stories published in Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine. The debut won the Shamus Award presented by the Private Eye Writers of America. The second in the series was a finalist for Bouchercon World Mystery Convention’s Anthony Award. Critical Acclaim for Deception Specialist: “I’ve always been a sucker for a conman, and it’s a joy to be taken in by reformed grifter Jack O’Shea as he turns the tables on a murderous conspiracy.” —Dennis Tafoya, author of Dope Thief “Won’t get fooled again, not with Jack O’Shea on the case. Master con man turned PI, O’Shea isn’t exactly on the side of the angels, but he’s our kind of rogue.” —Reed Farrel Coleman, New York Times bestselling author of Sleepless City “A good, old-fashioned mystery thriller powered by a completely original and compelling protagonist, John Shepphird’s Deception Specialist speeds along at a breakneck pace while also tugging at your emotions. I read it in one sitting.” —David Housewright, Edgar Award-winning author of In A Hard Wind “Jack O’Shea used to con people, but now he investigates on their behalf. It takes one to know one and he never misses a trick. He’s got a scar on his face and one on his soul. Anytime he finds himself in over his head, he fights to rise. Deception Specialist is two stories in one and both will catch you holding your breath.” —Jeffery Hess, author of Pascagoula Run, the Beachhead trilogy, No Salvation, and Scar Tissue “Scammers, schemers, and scoundrels are no match for former con man-turned-private eye Jack O'Shea. This Deception Specialist navigates a murderous conspiracy while confronting the ghosts of his swindling past in this edge-of-your-seat page turner.” —Steve Jankowski, author of Below the Line “Tragedy turns a former conman into Shepphird’s Deception Specialist: A force for good in a world gone murderously bad.” —Lawrence Maddox, author of Fast Bang Booze

Author : Michael Bracken
Publisher : Down & Out Books
Page : 236 pages
File Size : 40,5 Mb
Release : 2024-05-06
Category : Fiction
ISBN : 8210379456XXX

Get Book

Private Dicks and Disco Balls by Michael Bracken Pdf

The Sixties were a time of great cultural upheaval, and that upheaval continued into the 1970s. In the midst of all this, private eyes worked with clients across the generations, from those still clinging to the social mores of Nixon’s “silent majority” to those who embraced the rapid societal changes that began in the 1960s. From old-school private eyes to the Baby Boomers coming of age and entering the trade, these private eyes will take readers on a funky frolic through the Dyn-O-Mite Seventies. Contributors include Ann Aptaker, N.M. Cedeño, Bill Fitzhugh, James A. Hearn, Laura Oles, Alan Orloff, Gary Phillips, Neil S. Plakcy, William Dylan Powell, Stephen D. Rogers, Mark Thielman, Bev Vincent, and Andrew Welsh-Huggins.

Author : Py Kim Conant
Publisher : Turner Publishing Company
Page : 309 pages
File Size : 46,7 Mb
Release : 2006-10-23
Category : Self-Help
ISBN : 9781630265717

Get Book

Sex Secrets of an American Geisha by Py Kim Conant Pdf

Any single or married woman can find success in the pursuit of love, marriage, and happiness with these sensible, sexy, realistic tips from Py Kim Conant, who used them to find her own American husband. More practical than politically correct, her advice covers every aspect of landing and keeping a man. Developing "Geisha Consciousness," she says, helps maximize a woman's femininity. The author invites readers to become a "Younger Sister," a geisha-in-training, and then proceeds into the four parts of this lively, provocative book: getting started as an American Geisha; sex secrets to bond him to you; planning for marriage; and keeping the marriage fresh and sexy. She suggests specific strategies for women including creating a bedroom shrine of worship to hubby's manhood; learning to express femininity and sexuality; identifying and then dating their "Good Man." An afterword on "Geisha Power," a glossary of terms, recommended reading, and resources help readers expand the experience.

Author : Vincent Gabriel
Publisher : Rank Books
Page : 100 pages
File Size : 40,7 Mb
Release : 2013-10-21
Category : Business & Economics
ISBN : 9789810777524

Get Book

Success In Self-Employment by Vincent Gabriel Pdf

In this book, Vincent Gabriel teaches you how to make an assessment of yourself to find the right kind of business opportunity for self-employment. It covers business planning, and how to set the right goals for self-employment so that your family and your finances will not be in jeopardy. Some of the opportunities discussed in the book includes: Freelance writing, freelance teaching, coaching, mentoring and consultancy, small F&B business, tutoring etc.

Author : Hanako
Publisher : Fassfrankfurt Publishers
Page : 204 pages
File Size : 54,6 Mb
Release : 2013-04-01
Category : Family & Relationships
ISBN : 0983577722

Get Book

The Geisha Secret by Hanako Pdf

A dating guide for women that applies the practices of the geisha to modern day, The Geisha Secret is what every woman must know if she wants a boyfriend or to be married. The geisha's time tested methods of attracting men are more relevant than ever because women have lost their touch with men. There are single women everywhere with no viable long-term dating prospects or marriage proposals. Women have lost the art of desirability. The Geisha Secret will show you how to become attractive to men by transforming you into the ideal female companion. You will learn The Rituals, ancient practices of the geisha applied to the modern world, which will change how men perceive you. Men will be intrigued by you, love you, and seek to give you their hearts with the hope of their affection being returned. The Geisha Secret can give you the power to win a man's heart and forever change your life.

Author : DK
Publisher : Penguin
Page : 398 pages
File Size : 55,6 Mb
Release : 2023-01-10
Category : Nature
ISBN : 9780744082906

Get Book

The Secret Language of Flowers by DK Pdf

Discover the uses and symbolic meanings of flowers over the centuries and across the globe. Flowers have been depicted as objects of beauty and wonder in countless paintings and poems, exchanged as tokens of love and affection, and displayed as symbols of both celebration and remembrance – “saying it with flowers” is truly part of the human experience. But how does the significance of flowers vary across cultures and at different points in history? And what makes certain flowers special? The Secret Language of Flowers explores the meaning of more than 85 flowers, tracing their history as symbols and charting their role in folklore and mythology around the world. This fascinating book on flowers can help you to: - Unlock the meaning of flowers throughout history – from early peoples to the 19th century. - Discover the Victorian language of flowers popular in the US, UK, and Europe. - Gain insight into folklore and mythology in relation to different flowers. - Uncover what flowers mean in various cultures around the world. - Uncover traditional medicinal uses of plants, such as aloe, which is used to treat burns. Uncover the rich and fascinating histories of individual flowers – the sunflower, for example, which was regarded by the Aztecs as a symbol of war, but became a symbol of devotion in 19th-century painting due to the fact that it “turns its head” to follow the sun. Learn about the function of flowers in society, from the practical to the playful – flowers have been used as remedies and tonics – tea tree and coneflower (or echinacea), for example – as well as as a means of sending cryptic messages to lovers and friends. The Secret Language of Flowers is an entertaining guide to the rich stories that lie beyond the seductive aromas and dazzling beauty of flowers of all kinds. Each flower featured throughout the book is arranged by season, from the first snowdrops and primroses of spring, the glorious roses of summer, the stunning fuchsias and dahlias of autumn to the holly and poinsettia of the winter months, there’s a flower for everyone to fall in love with. At DK, we believe in the power of discovery: So why stop there? If you like The Secret Language of Flowers, then why not try Great Loves which celebrates some of the most famous romances in history, or Lost Masterpieces to discover extraordinary stories behind the world's missing works of art.

Author : Joan Itoh Burk
Publisher : Brindle and Glass
Page : 394 pages
File Size : 43,8 Mb
Release : 2011-02-01
Category : Fiction
ISBN : 9781926972145

Get Book

One Chrysanthemum by Joan Itoh Burk Pdf

In One Chrysanthemum, it is 1964 and Misako Imai is a young Tokyo housewife with a secret. When she was a child living in her grandfather’s dark, wartime Buddhist temple in the northern prefecture of Niigata, she became aware of a special sensitivity that allowed her to see visions of things that were currently happening—but in another place—or that had happened in the past. Now, after five years of marriage and no children, Misako is living the life of a full-time maid to her husband’s widowed mother, who blames her for not producing a son to carry on the family name. One evening, she has the very clear vision of her husband making love to another woman and realizes that he has taken a mistress. Her marital problems unresolved, Misako is summoned by her grandfather to Niigata when his temple receives the ashes of a young girl’s bones that were found in a nearby garden pond. The old priest remembers his granddaughter playing in that garden as a child and telling him that she saw a girl fall into the pond. At that time there had been no evidence the sighting was anything more than the child’s over-active imagination. But, after meeting a most unusual Zen priest who tells him about something called clairvoyance, he realizes that his own granddaughter may have had such a gift when she was a child. The old priest becomes obsessed with the possible connection between the bones found in the pond and Misako’s childhood vision. Feeling that he can give into a bit of fool-hardiness in his old age, he plans an unorthodox memorial service in the garden where the bones were found and arranges for both the Zen priest and his granddaughter to attend. What he does not realize is that the combination of the two priests’ limited knowledge and his granddaughter’s powerful sensitivity would be a dangerous combination bound to end in disaster.

Author : Ikko Shimizu,Tamae K. Prindle,Gail Johnson
Publisher : Taylor & Francis
Page : 297 pages
File Size : 54,9 Mb
Release : 2016-09-16
Category : Political Science
ISBN : 9781315286129

Get Book

The Dark Side of Japanese Business by Ikko Shimizu,Tamae K. Prindle,Gail Johnson Pdf

"(The novels) depict Japanese business as nasty and businessmen as villains. As the books sell in large numbers in Japan this is presumably how ordinary Japanese view the driving force of the world's second biggest economy". -- The Economist