A Woman of Pleasure

In 1903, fifteen-year-old Aoi Ichi is sold to a prestigious brothel in Kumamoto, Japan, where she becomes the protégé of the esteemed courtesan, Shinonome. Through her experiences, Ichi learns about the connections between sex, money, and self-expression, particularly through the guidance of her writing instructor, Tetsuko. As she and her fellow courtesans begin to unite, they take a courageous step towards claiming their autonomy. Award-winning author Kiyoko Murata vividly depicts the resilience and bonds among women in the red-light district during the Meiji era.