Food is never just food. In Butter by Asako Yuzuki, it's a weapon, a lure, and a radical act of rebellion all rolled into one greasy, glistening package. If you’ve spent any time on BookTok or browsing the "International Fiction" tables at your local shop lately, you’ve probably seen that vibrant yellow cover. It’s hard to miss. But don’t let the bright aesthetic fool you. This isn't a cozy culinary mystery about a pastry chef finding love in a small town. It’s much darker than that.
The premise sounds like something straight out of a true-crime podcast. Manami Kajii, a gourmet cook and a woman who doesn't fit Japan’s rigid beauty standards, is in prison. Why? She’s accused of murdering several men—men she allegedly seduced with her cooking and then convinced to give her huge sums of money before they "accidentally" died of carbon monoxide poisoning.
The media is obsessed. They call her a "fat" seductress. They can't wrap their heads around how a woman who looks like her could manipulate men so easily. Enter Rika, a young, overworked journalist who decides to get the scoop. To get Kajii to talk, Rika has to do one thing: talk about food. Specifically, butter.
The Real Case That Inspired the Novel
You might think Yuzuki just has a wild imagination, but the bones of this story are chillingly real. The book is loosely based on the "Konkatsu Killer" case of Kanae Kijima. Back in 2009, Kijima was arrested for the murders of three men she met on dating sites. Like the character in the book, she wasn't the "typical" femme fatale the public expected. She was a woman who loved high-end cooking classes and luxury living.
The public's reaction to Kijima—and by extension, the character of Kajii—reveals a lot about how we view women. People were genuinely offended that a woman who didn't starve herself could be desirable or powerful. Butter by Asako Yuzuki takes that societal disgust and flips it. It asks why we are so afraid of women who have an appetite.
Why We Are Obsessed With the "Butter" Philosophy
Kajii’s first piece of advice to Rika is simple but revolutionary: "There are two things I cannot tolerate: feminists and margarine."
It’s a provocative line. Honestly, it’s meant to be. Kajii views margarine as a lie—a cheap, soul-crushing substitute for the real thing. To her, eating real butter is an act of self-respect. In a culture that constantly tells women to take up less space, to eat less, and to be "light," choosing the richest, most caloric substance on earth is a middle finger to the patriarchy.
As Rika begins to follow Kajii’s culinary instructions, her own life starts to unravel. She starts eating soy sauce butter rice. She goes to French restaurants alone. She stops caring about being the "perfect" thin, exhausted professional.
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- Soy Sauce Butter Rice: A humble, childhood comfort food that becomes a symbol of awakening.
- The Smell of Baking: Yuzuki describes scents so vividly you can almost feel the grease on your skin.
- The Weight Gain: As Rika gains weight, she finds herself feeling more "solid" in her own life, even as her friends and colleagues express concern.
It’s a weirdly tactile reading experience. You will get hungry. You will probably go to the grocery store and buy the most expensive salted butter you can find. I did.
Fatphobia and the Japanese Social Contract
We need to talk about the setting. Japan has some of the lowest obesity rates in the world, but it also has incredibly high pressure to remain thin. There are literal laws (the Metabo Law) regarding waistline measurements for employees of a certain age.
In Butter by Asako Yuzuki, the protagonist’s weight isn't just a physical trait; it’s a political statement. The men Kajii allegedly killed were looking for someone to take care of them, someone who embodied a traditional, domestic ideal. Kajii gave them that, but she did it on her own terms. She used their own desires against them.
The book explores how women are often "consumed" by the men in their lives. By becoming a consumer herself—someone who eats with abandon—Kajii breaks the cycle. She isn't the meal; she’s the one at the head of the table.
The Problem With the "Femme Fatale" Label
Most people go into this book expecting a thriller. They want to know: Did she do it? Is she a cold-blooded killer or a misunderstood genius?
Yuzuki isn't interested in giving you a straightforward courtroom drama. The "mystery" of the murders actually takes a backseat to the psychological transformation of Rika. The real tension isn't whether Kajii will be executed; it's whether Rika will survive her own friendship with this woman.
Kajii is manipulative. She’s cruel. She looks down on Rika for being "weak." It’s a toxic mentorship that feels incredibly grounded. You’ve probably had a friend or a mentor who made you feel like you were finally "awake" while simultaneously tearing down your self-esteem. That’s the energy Kajii brings to the table.
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Gender Roles and the Kitchen
Throughout the novel, the kitchen is a space of power. We often think of domesticity as a trap for women, but for the women in this book, it's where they plot. It’s where they find pleasure that has nothing to do with men.
There’s a specific scene involving a dinner party that Rika hosts. It’s messy. It’s tense. It shows how food can be used to bridge gaps or to build walls. Yuzuki proves that you don't need a high-speed car chase to create suspense; a simmering pot of boeuf bourguignon can be just as dangerous.
Reading Butter: What to Expect
If you’re planning to pick this up, be prepared for a slow burn. This isn't a "fast" read. The prose is dense and rich, much like the food it describes.
One thing that might catch you off guard is the sheer amount of misogyny the characters have to navigate. It’s baked into every interaction. Rika’s male colleagues are often dismissive or outright sexist. Her "best friend" has her own deep-seated issues with body image and worth. It’s a heavy book, despite the beautiful descriptions of croissants and ramen.
The Translation Factor
Polly Barton’s translation is spectacular. She captures the specific, sometimes stifling politeness of Japanese social cues while letting the underlying rot shine through. The way the characters talk about "mouthfeel" and "richness" feels almost erotic, which is exactly the point.
Actionable Takeaways from the Novel
You don't just read a book like this; you process it. It stays with you. If you’ve finished it or are about to start, here are a few ways to engage with the themes beyond the page:
1. Question Your "Substitute" Habits
Look at where you’re settling for the "margarine" in your life. This isn't just about food. Are you settling for a job you hate? A relationship that’s "fine"? The book encourages a move toward authenticity, even if that authenticity is heavy or "too much" for others.
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2. Explore Japanese Culinary Literature
If you enjoyed the sensory details, check out other "foodie" Japanese lit. Strange Weather in Tokyo by Hiromi Kawakami or The Nakano Thrift Shop offer similar vibes, though they are much gentler than Yuzuki’s work.
3. Analyze Your Own "Appetite"
Think about how you talk about food and desire. Do you apologize for being hungry? Do you feel guilty for enjoying something rich? Butter by Asako Yuzuki is essentially a long-form argument against that guilt.
4. Host a "Butter" Book Club
This is the ultimate book club pick because there is so much to argue about. Was Kajii a feminist icon or just a sociopath? Was Rika’s transformation healthy or a different kind of breakdown?
To wrap it up, this book is a bit of a masterpiece in discomfort. It forces you to look at your own body, your own cravings, and the way you judge the women around you. It's a reminder that sometimes, the most dangerous thing a woman can do is simply enjoy her life without asking for permission.
Go buy the book. Then go buy some high-quality, cultured butter. Spread it thick on a piece of warm bread. Don't apologize to anyone for it. That is the only way to truly understand what Asako Yuzuki is trying to say.
Next Steps for Readers
To get the most out of your reading of Butter by Asako Yuzuki, start by researching the actual 2009 Kanae Kijima case; seeing the parallels between the real-life "Black Widow" and the fictional Kajii adds a layer of chilling reality to the prose. From there, pay close attention to the shifting descriptions of Rika’s physical sensations throughout the story—it's the most effective way to track her psychological descent and eventual liberation. Finally, try making the "Soy Sauce Butter Rice" described in the early chapters to experience the sensory anchor that drives the entire narrative forward.