There's a place in the Akihabara district of Tokyo that is considered pretty seedy - downright slimy even... which is odd considering it's in a nice, hip part of town.
But it's not necessarily because there's anything illegal going on at this place - rather, it's how it's staffed that is causing the scandal amongst those few who seem to care. But since it actually made the news, let's discuss.
Okay... maybe I was a little premature about saying it's in a nice neighbourhood: is across the street from a vending machine that sells spaghetti in a can, and is below a 'total relaxation' massage parlour.
Nadeshico Sushi, which roughly translates into 'ideal woman'--especially if the 'c' in Nadeshico was replaced with a 'k'--has become infamous for more than their sushi.
You see, Nadeshico Sushi is Japan's first sushi restaurant to specifically feature beautiful, young female chefs. Think "Hooters" but with Japanese food... only these women aren't skimpily dressed. Nope. It's not because it's a trashy place, it's because it dares have women doing a job traditionally done by men, and men only.
The restaurant opened up late in 2010, and features a 17-seat counter where teh female chefs make sushi, like: sushi shaped like panda heads (I'm weird and even I have no idea why anyone thinks this is a good idea); frog heads (really?!) - bot covered with heart-shaped eggs.
Okay... it's probably not about the sushi - it's the fact that 90% of the customer base is men - hungry men. Hungry, horny men, who probably just want the chance to talk to a hot babe that isn't their wife, and/or girlfriend and/or mistress. I mean, I understand that.
Other sushi restaurants poo-poo the female venture with extreme distaste, saying that what Nadeshico Susho doesn't follow proper sushi-making techniques - and that's according to Masanori Nakamura, the owner of Sushi Nakamura in Tokyo.
You'll notice, however, that he doesn't really complain about the chefs being female... no... what he's ticked off at is that these chefs are making a mockery of the art of sushi making.
Y'see, it usually takes a male 10 years to learn the art of making sushi. Hell, I heard that you don't even get to hold a knife for your first year of apprenticeship! You must learn not only how to choose the perfect fish from the market, but clean, and slice it, how to form a perfect mound of rice to place said fish upon, and apparently learn how to talk to the customers, as there are some strict ways of doing so... you have to know the rhythm and cadence, while still being able to create the sushi.
Cripes... I know I've made sushi... I did it and it tasted good. It even looked half-decent. Time spent learning how to make sushi - 10 minutes. I would imagine that if I spent a week or so, I'd really have it down pat.
And the thing is, the women at Nadeshico sushi actually get trained in the art of sushi-amking in two months... so they must be a heck of a lot better than me.
For the men, this is like going to medical school and graduating in three weeks. Of course, the women may just be faster studies, but I'm pretty sure I understand the Japanese male chef's concern. Someone has caught on that tradition can be a tad over stated here in Japan. Do you really need 10 years to learn how to make sushi? For crying out load, how long does it take for a person to become a doctor from the time they enter university? Ten years? Maybe slightly more? Maybe slightly less? The point is, we're talking about sushi.
I understand that for the Japanese, sushi is an institution... but so what? Grow up. If you want to grow as a culture, you need to grow as a culture. There are a few women scattered across Japan who actually are full blown sushi chefs--but don't be fooled... there is discrimination. You know they are gossiped about behind their back. At least the men (other sushi chefs) have had the fish guts to go on record and discuss their disgust (just not with me - so I'm not quoting them)
Apparently this sushi girls don't have to gut or slice the fish they serve - there are men to do that in theh back of the restaurant - out of sight and out of mind.
Kazuya Nishikiori, the owner of Nadeshico, claims he wanted to create a new model for working women in Japan, but only those between the ages of 18 and 25... because according to his business model, he wants 'fresh and cute'. I don't really blame him... he wants to have a successful business, but being an over the hill sushi girl chef is a little harsh.
Anyhow, did you know that the real reason why male sushi masters say women can't cut it as sushi chefs? They are too hot. Yup. Too hot, as in their hands possess a higher temperature than a man's - which can't be good when you are handling fresh fish.
Really? I'd like to see proof of that one.
Others say women who wear make-up defile the purity of the fish.
Oh good kami (god). It's a fish. It's dead. Let's eat it.
Anyways, Nishikiori, who also runs an employment agency on the side does state that Nadeshico isn't a five-star restaurant, and that it's best to come in with low expectations. Geez, man... way to sell the place to the public.
He continues that really, he wants to attract young people and gaijin (foreigners). Geez... thanks a lot.
Here's a link to the place: SUSHI
Oh well... would I go there for a visit and try the sushi?
Somewhere knowing I'd buy sushi from hot women,
Andrew Joseph
Today's blog title is by The Tubes: CHERRYBLOSSOMSANDRICE.
PS: I just want to show that there is still a fair bit of prejudice for women in the workforce... and that Japan for all of the fun I had there, it' still very much a man's world.
PPS: I'll tell you some more about a few women I know, and the stories they told me about what it's like to be a woman in Japan.
But it's not necessarily because there's anything illegal going on at this place - rather, it's how it's staffed that is causing the scandal amongst those few who seem to care. But since it actually made the news, let's discuss.
Okay... maybe I was a little premature about saying it's in a nice neighbourhood: is across the street from a vending machine that sells spaghetti in a can, and is below a 'total relaxation' massage parlour.
Nadeshico Sushi, which roughly translates into 'ideal woman'--especially if the 'c' in Nadeshico was replaced with a 'k'--has become infamous for more than their sushi.
You see, Nadeshico Sushi is Japan's first sushi restaurant to specifically feature beautiful, young female chefs. Think "Hooters" but with Japanese food... only these women aren't skimpily dressed. Nope. It's not because it's a trashy place, it's because it dares have women doing a job traditionally done by men, and men only.
The restaurant opened up late in 2010, and features a 17-seat counter where teh female chefs make sushi, like: sushi shaped like panda heads (I'm weird and even I have no idea why anyone thinks this is a good idea); frog heads (really?!) - bot covered with heart-shaped eggs.
Okay... it's probably not about the sushi - it's the fact that 90% of the customer base is men - hungry men. Hungry, horny men, who probably just want the chance to talk to a hot babe that isn't their wife, and/or girlfriend and/or mistress. I mean, I understand that.
Other sushi restaurants poo-poo the female venture with extreme distaste, saying that what Nadeshico Susho doesn't follow proper sushi-making techniques - and that's according to Masanori Nakamura, the owner of Sushi Nakamura in Tokyo.
You'll notice, however, that he doesn't really complain about the chefs being female... no... what he's ticked off at is that these chefs are making a mockery of the art of sushi making.
Y'see, it usually takes a male 10 years to learn the art of making sushi. Hell, I heard that you don't even get to hold a knife for your first year of apprenticeship! You must learn not only how to choose the perfect fish from the market, but clean, and slice it, how to form a perfect mound of rice to place said fish upon, and apparently learn how to talk to the customers, as there are some strict ways of doing so... you have to know the rhythm and cadence, while still being able to create the sushi.
Cripes... I know I've made sushi... I did it and it tasted good. It even looked half-decent. Time spent learning how to make sushi - 10 minutes. I would imagine that if I spent a week or so, I'd really have it down pat.
And the thing is, the women at Nadeshico sushi actually get trained in the art of sushi-amking in two months... so they must be a heck of a lot better than me.
For the men, this is like going to medical school and graduating in three weeks. Of course, the women may just be faster studies, but I'm pretty sure I understand the Japanese male chef's concern. Someone has caught on that tradition can be a tad over stated here in Japan. Do you really need 10 years to learn how to make sushi? For crying out load, how long does it take for a person to become a doctor from the time they enter university? Ten years? Maybe slightly more? Maybe slightly less? The point is, we're talking about sushi.
I understand that for the Japanese, sushi is an institution... but so what? Grow up. If you want to grow as a culture, you need to grow as a culture. There are a few women scattered across Japan who actually are full blown sushi chefs--but don't be fooled... there is discrimination. You know they are gossiped about behind their back. At least the men (other sushi chefs) have had the fish guts to go on record and discuss their disgust (just not with me - so I'm not quoting them)
Apparently this sushi girls don't have to gut or slice the fish they serve - there are men to do that in theh back of the restaurant - out of sight and out of mind.
Kazuya Nishikiori, the owner of Nadeshico, claims he wanted to create a new model for working women in Japan, but only those between the ages of 18 and 25... because according to his business model, he wants 'fresh and cute'. I don't really blame him... he wants to have a successful business, but being an over the hill sushi girl chef is a little harsh.
Anyhow, did you know that the real reason why male sushi masters say women can't cut it as sushi chefs? They are too hot. Yup. Too hot, as in their hands possess a higher temperature than a man's - which can't be good when you are handling fresh fish.
Really? I'd like to see proof of that one.
Others say women who wear make-up defile the purity of the fish.
Oh good kami (god). It's a fish. It's dead. Let's eat it.
Anyways, Nishikiori, who also runs an employment agency on the side does state that Nadeshico isn't a five-star restaurant, and that it's best to come in with low expectations. Geez, man... way to sell the place to the public.
He continues that really, he wants to attract young people and gaijin (foreigners). Geez... thanks a lot.
Here's a link to the place: SUSHI
Oh well... would I go there for a visit and try the sushi?
Somewhere knowing I'd buy sushi from hot women,
Andrew Joseph
Today's blog title is by The Tubes: CHERRYBLOSSOMSANDRICE.
PS: I just want to show that there is still a fair bit of prejudice for women in the workforce... and that Japan for all of the fun I had there, it' still very much a man's world.
PPS: I'll tell you some more about a few women I know, and the stories they told me about what it's like to be a woman in Japan.
