The story tells of the love of a naval officer and a geisha at a tea house. The lovers are parted at the end but not tragically. The Englishman weds an English girl and O Mimosa San weds an Oriental.

The score was composed by Sidney Jones. The libretto was written by Owen Hall with lyrics by Harry Greenbank. Additional songs were written Lionel Monckton and James Philip. First performed 25 April 1896 at Daly's Theatre in London, produced by George Edwardes, the original production ran for 760 performances.