The English translation of Butter, a critically acclaimed Japanese novel by Asako Yuzuki, is receiving widespread attention abroad for its examination of misogyny, fatphobia, and sexism in contemporary Japan. Originally published in Japan in 2017, the book, inspired by the real-life case of a gourmet-turned-serial killer, is now a bestseller in the United Kingdom, with approximately 280,000 copies sold. The novel was also named “Book of the Year” by major British bookstore chain Waterstones in 2024.
Set against the backdrop of a sensational murder case, Butter follows the story of Rika Machida, a journalist investigating the crimes of Manako Kajii, a woman accused of poisoning three men after seducing them with elaborate home-cooked meals. Kajii, modeled after the infamous Kanae Kijima, has been subject to intense media scrutiny, with a focus on her appearance and perceived lack of conventional beauty. Kijima, who was convicted of the murders in 2009, was infamously dubbed the “Konkatsu Killer” for her use of marriage websites to find her victims.
In a striking departure from the focus on the killings in Japan, the book has been recognized abroad for its feminist themes. Yuzuki, 43, expressed her surprise at the international response, noting that Western audiences have emphasized the novel’s social critique rather than its crime narrative.
“The book seems to have been embraced as a feminist work that critiques the media’s portrayal of women and the societal pressures they face,” Yuzuki said. “I was pleasantly surprised by this reception, especially since the conversation in Japan largely centered on the true crime aspect.”
The novel’s portrayal of body image and gender roles is central to its narrative. Rika’s interactions with Kajii evolve from journalistic curiosity into a deeper, more personal investigation, leading to her own struggles with weight gain and body shaming as she becomes obsessed with rich, buttery foods. These elements of the story highlight societal expectations and the damaging impact of appearance-based judgments on women.
The book has drawn praise from academics, such as Victoria Young, Associate Professor of Contemporary Japanese Literature at the University of Cambridge. Young noted the novel’s portrayal of food as both a source of pleasure and a form of resistance against the societal pressure for women to conform to specific beauty standards.
“The gastronomic scenes in Butter are not only vivid but offer a means of challenging the weight-based judgments placed on women,” said Young. “The novel critiques the narrow roles assigned to women in Japanese society, offering a feminist commentary on gender and societal expectations.”
Yuzuki’s work has resonated particularly with British readers, as part of a broader trend of increasing popularity for Japanese women writers. According to the sponsor of the International Booker Prize, 14 of the top 30 translated novels sold in the UK in 2022 were Japanese works. Additionally, Butter has performed well in the United States, selling 100,000 copies, and is set for release in South Korea, India, and nearly 20 other countries.
By March 2025, Butter had sold 270,000 copies in Japan and over 470,000 copies internationally. Polly Barton, who translated the novel into English, attributed much of the book’s success to its relevance in addressing body image and gender norms, themes that continue to resonate with readers worldwide.
As Yuzuki’s work gains recognition, Butter stands as an example of how literature can transcend its cultural origins, sparking global conversations on universal issues of gender, body image, and societal expectations.
