Writing Hostess

This tear-jerking coming-of-age story follows the struggles of Aomori's most delinquent girl, who, using only her own invented "writing technique," rises to become Ginza's top hostess.

Rie, now 25, was born and raised in a strict Aomori family. She lost her hearing completely due to a childhood illness. Her hearing-related troubles led her to gradually fall behind, and she followed the usual downward spiral of alcohol, smoking, and stealing. But she eventually found a way to survive: hostessing, where she communicates by writing. Skillfully using a notepad and pen, always at her side, she was able to evade the traps of the nightlife world and generate more sales than those without hearing. It didn't take long for her to become known as the "pen-and-pen hostess." Rie's "delicate expressions, only possible through pen-and-paper customer service," and her "collection of famous quotes that actually appeared in her written communications with customers," are a shower of loving words that bring healing to all. The unique communication techniques she has cultivated are surely skills most needed in these tense times.

The book also includes a wealth of color photogravure photos of her working at the Ginza club where she works, as well as handwritten transcripts of her conversations.