Talk:Mizu shobai

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Excuse my French, but this "etymology" is total bullshit:

A nation famous for its onsens (natural hot springs), recreational sex has long been associated with water in Japan. While the actual origin of the term mizu shobai is debatable, it is likely the term came into use during the Tokugawa shogunate (1603-1868). The Tokugawa period saw the development of large bathhouses, an expansive network of roadside inns offering hot baths and sexual release, and the expansion of geisha districts and courtesan quarters in cities and towns throughout the country.

Compare this to the Japanese version:

「水」は「勝負は水物だ」と言われるような、運次第で大きな利益を得たり、逆に損失をこうむるなど、日々（時々）の収入があてにならない状態を指している。飲食店、風俗店は景気の良し悪し、天候、客の気まぐれなどによって収益が大きく左右されるものである。 また、酒類をまるで水のように扱うという所から、接客を伴う飲食業を「水商売」と称するようになったとも言われている。

That is, it's called the "water trade" because it deals with ephemeral products and sensations, as opposed to clay pots and bolts of silk or whatever. I've removed the section for now. Jpatokal 04:51, 31 October 2006 (UTC)

"Total bullshit"? By saying the "origin of the term is debatable", meant that it is debatable. But thanks for your thoughtful and articulate contribution. Not sure what you mean by "clay pots and bolts of silk". Also not sure what makes the "Japanese version" from ja.wikipedia more correct. Will re-write the section with additional info sometime soon - and try to avoid another section of total bullshit. Drcwright 21:52, 2 November 2006 (UTC)

You're welcome. If there's a genuine debate about the term's origin, then please provide references. Jpatokal 06:20, 3 November 2006 (UTC)

Well, we're debating it right now. ;-) The "debatableness" was taken from the Lafayette article noted in References. One site also claims it got its name because "the business usual took place on riverbanks". Yep. Drcwright 09:52, 6 November 2006 (UTC)