About the Book
執事のマナーと教養図鑑 (A British Butler's Guide to Manners and Culture) is an illustrated reference book that organises the knowledge required in the butler profession by theme. Our Association supervised the volume, with Butler Café Swallowtail in Ikebukuro contributing to it.
Our Association has always sought to present a butler's manners as conduct undertaken for the person one serves, rather than as a list of rules. Accordingly, the book follows the professional butler through dress, conduct, the culture needed to support the principal's way of life, and ways to enjoy the world of butlers.
The book comprises four chapters, followed by pages devoted to Butler Café Swallowtail. It is designed as a volume to keep close at hand for readers who want to understand the basics of formal dress and hospitality, those who work in service, and anyone interested in British life.
Bibliographic information
| Title | 執事のマナーと教養図鑑 (A British Butler's Guide to Manners and Culture) |
|---|---|
| Supervised by | Japan Butler Association |
| In cooperation with | Butler Café Swallowtail |
| Illustrations | Momoe Tsutsui, omiso |
| Publisher | Gakken |
| Release date | 17 September 2026 |
| Format | Tankōbon, 144 pages |
| Price | JPY 1,870 (including tax) |
| ISBN | 978-4-05-802760-8 |
Chapter 1: The History of Butlers and the Etiquette of Dress
The first chapter's theme is dress. It begins by considering why black is used for a butler's clothing.
A butler's clothes are intended to set off the principal and guests. Black is discreet without sacrificing formality, making it well suited to that role. Reading the idea of 'dress for the person who serves' in this choice of colour is the first step towards understanding formal attire.
Formal attire for each time and occasion
At the centre of the chapter are four garments: the morning coat, dinner jacket, tailcoat, and Chesterfield coat.
The sample spread shows how the basic jacket colour, whether the buttons are fastened, and how to pair the waistcoat and bow tie are organised item by item for the morning coat, formal attire worn from morning until evening, and the tailcoat, the most formal evening attire. It is a page where the rules for each garment can be checked down to the details.
Pocket watches and cufflinks
Types of pocket watch and how to handle them, along with accessories such as cufflinks, are each treated as topics in their own right. Sleeves and the hands that handle a watch are readily visible to others, so attention to accessories shapes the finish of the entire ensemble.
Chapter 2: Graceful Conduct and the Art of Care
Chapter 2 brings together the ways a butler moves. Serving tea and wine, escorting a guest on arrival, and even the technique behind the 'princess carry' often depicted in stories are explained one action at a time.
Service
The practice of service consists of fine details, such as how much to pour and where to place each item of tableware. Their purpose is to keep the act of serving unobtrusive, allowing the person being hosted to enjoy the meal and conversation in comfort.
Escorting
When welcoming and escorting someone, the basic practice is to match the guest's pace and move ahead before reaching a door or step. Movement that spares the other person needless concern is equally useful when guiding visitors or accompanying someone senior to you.
Caring for silver and shoes
The latter part of the chapter turns to the care of silver and shoes. Graceful conduct depends upon tools that have been properly maintained. This is a foundation of a butler's work that is seldom visible from the outside.
Chapter 3: The Culture of the British Gentleman a Butler Should Know
Chapter 3 looks towards the culture of the British gentlemen whom butlers historically served. It covers whisky and cocktails, literature, music, chess, stationery, tobacco, and even interiors favoured by the British aristocracy.
Culture supports attentive service
Suitable preparation is impossible without knowing the principal's tastes or the subjects likely to arise with guests. Knowledge of a drink helps one choose the right glassware, while understanding the background to a topic makes it possible to act without interrupting the conversation. Through British life, the chapter conveys how understanding the culture of the person one serves forms the basis of good manners.
Chapter 4: Enjoying the World of Butlers
The final chapter is a guide to extending this world beyond the book. It presents places in Japan where visitors can experience the world of the British aristocracy and a butler's work, as well as recommended works featuring butlers. Seeing conduct in person deepens understanding. The chapter offers a starting point for experiencing first-hand what the reader has learnt from the book.
Butler Café Swallowtail pages and bonus
The closing pages include an illustrated presentation of Butler Café Swallowtail's menu styled to suit the atmosphere of the book, along with a message from Iori, one of the café's butlers. Scanning the 2D code printed at the end of the book also provides a wallpaper bearing the café's logo.