Few wives could resist opening such a letter, even though it was addressed to the man of the house. Reeking with a Japanese perfume called Kiss Me, its contents glowed with bygone passion: "Many moons have passed since we parted . . . I was an innocent maiden [but] I shall cherish forever that night I learned for the first time the shameful pleasures of life . . ." It was signed "Your Tsuyuko [Misty Child]."
In the homes of some 11,000 prominent Japanese businessmen (names carefully selected from Japan's Who's Who), thousands of outraged wives opened (or at least savored) Tsuyuko's...