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Of course, I have to thank Shanina Conway for the beautiful cover image. She is a talented artist and I am so pleased to have her work grace the cover of my book.
I would be remiss if I did not thank the anonymous reader for his or her insightful criticism, which was instrumental in shaping this book into its final form. Whoever you are, thank you for not letting me forget the comfort women and some of the darker aspects of the demimonde.
I would like to thank both my father and my mother for always encouraging my education and my writing, and for only occasionally suggesting that I embark on a more sensible career in advertising.
Without the friendship and outstretched hand of Michael Rothbart, it is unlikely that I would have found my way back to either this project or my place in the world.
For his unflagging love, devotion, and faith in me, even in my darkest times, I want to thank my husband Mark Spada.
Finally, I would like to mention one of my dearest friends, Suzuki Yuko, who introduced me to countless aspects of Japanese culture over the course of a decade's visits to Tokyo. She died of breast cancer in November 2008 but not before kindly reading and commenting on the earlier version of my work. She is greatly missed, and it is to her that I dedicate this book.