It is difficult to find an art book that perfectly balances information and art; but Swinton has compiled a book which achieves this balance beautifully. Not only does the reader enjoy large, beautiful color prints of the floating world, but she also is presented with several entertaining and thoughtful essays that begin to demystify the world of the Japanese pleasure quarters. The essays deal with such subjects as the history of Kabuki theater, the life of geisha, and the function of the pleasure quarters in Japanese society. However, the art is not dealt with as mere illustration; the works are analyzed in terms of technique and art history, and the prints are catalogued with extreme care for the art scholar. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in art, Japanese culture, history, or women's studies.