The lives of 19th century British ladies as seen in etiquette books, instructional guides that women flocked to read in order to enter “social circles”! “Illustrated Guide to British Social Circle, Expanded Edition” goes on sale May 28th!

“Illustrated Guide to British Social Circle, Revised Edition” Kawade Shobo Shinsha

In a commercial center like England, people rise from one rank to the next. Small shopkeepers become merchants, mechanics become manufacturers. With wealth comes a love of extravagant lifestyles, expensive furniture, and luxurious silverware. They do not know how to spend it. Even when pleasures become available, few people develop the manners to match their rapid advancement. When such people, ambitious to enter high society, find that money alone does not secure their acceptance, often with bitter humiliation.

(Hints on Etiquette and the Customs of High Society, 26th Edition, 1849)From the text of the Illustrated Guide to British High Society, Revised Edition)

“The Illustrated Guide to British High Society, Revised Edition” is a book set in 19th century Victorian England. It describes the opulent British high society of the time with a wealth of paintings and photographs. It carefully unravels the state of British society and high society from the “etiquette books” published at the time.

The author of the “Etiquette Book,” which became a best-seller in the UK at the time, was an anonymous aristocrat. The target audience, meanwhile, was “middle-class women aspiring to enter high society.” How can a woman with little experience or knowledge, but with a vague longing and ambition to join “high society,” join the ranks and rise to a position of respect? The sometimes-shady author, in a condescending manner, teaches us about “high society etiquette,” including dress codes, afternoon tea, formal dinners, and balls.

This expanded edition also includes new stories of the happy and sad events that happened to women who actually entered high society. It also includes many surviving photographs of historical figures, so be sure to check out the release of the “Illustrated Guide to British High Society, Expanded Edition,” which will allow you to learn about the British high society of the 1800s in a fun way!

■Table of Contents of the Illustrated Guide to British High Society, Revised Edition

Introduction: Victorian Etiquette Books

Chapter 1 Visiting and Using the Card

Chapter 2: Dress Code Makes the Person

Chapter 3: Home Invitations and Banquets

Chapter 4: Balls and the Politics of Men and Women

Chapter 5 Mourning etiquette

Chapter 6: Seniors who entered the social world[Newly written in the expanded edition]

■Bibliographic information

“Illustrated Guide to British Social Circle, Revised Edition” Kawade Shobo Shinsha

Title: Illustrated Guide to British High Society, Revised Edition

Author: Rico Murakami

ISBN: 978-4-309-76332-3

Price: 1,900 yen (2,090 yen including tax)

Release date: May 28, 2024

Specifications: A5 variant / paperback / 144 pages

Bibliographic URL:

■Author Profile

Rico Murakami

Graduated from Tokyo University of Foreign Studies. Author of “Illustrated British Butlers” and “Illustrated British Aristocrats' Daughters” (Kawade Shobo Shinsha), and translator of “Illustrated English Mansions” and “Illustrated History of British Interiors” (Marl Publishing), among others. He is also involved in historical research for the anime “Black Butler.”