Nyotaimori

Nyotaimori (Japanese: 女体盛り, "female body presentation"), often referred to as "body sushi," is the practice of serving sashimi or sushi from the body of a woman, typically naked. Nantaimori (Japanese: 男体盛り) refers to the same practice using a male model. This subdivision of food play is originally an obscure Japanese practice not common in Japanese culture but that has attracted considerable international media attention.[1]

Contents

Procedures

Before becoming a living sushi platter, the person (usually a woman) is trained to lie down for hours without moving. She or he must also be able to withstand the prolonged exposure to the cold food. Before service, the individual is supposed to have taken a bath using a special fragrance-free soap and then finished off with a splash of cold water to cool the body down somewhat for the sushi. In some parts of the world, in order to comply with sanitation laws, there must be a layer of plastic or other material between the sushi and the body of the woman or man.
—Jack Herbert, Nyotaimori (Body sushi), Japan for the Uninvited

In the experience of Guardian columnist Julie Bindel, the models in London were hired through an agency, and had no prior training.[2]

Reception

Promoters, eating participants, and proponents of the practice often say that nyotaimori is a form of art.

This argument is rejected by some feminists, who argue that it objectifies the woman or the man doing the serving. Guardian columnist Julie Bindel notes that the woman being used to serve the food, on at least one occasion in London, looked "as if in a morgue, ­awaiting a postmortem."[2]

Worldwide reception varies. For public health reasons, China has outlawed food served on naked bodies.[3]

Tickets for naked sushi night may cost around US$75,[4] which may include sushi, sake and champagne. Others, such as that attended by Bindel, may cost £250.

South African entrepreneur Kenny Kunene's birthday party on 21 October 2010 that hosted ANCYL president Julius Malema and featured nyotaimori[5] was criticised by COSATU secretary general Zwelinzima Vavi, leading to a political row.[6][7] Also, the ANCWL condemned nyotaimori at Kunene's party as “an attack on the bodily integrity and dignity of women" in South Africa.[8]

Nyotaimori in Popular Culture

The practice of nyotaimori is mentioned in passing in a number of Hollywood movies as well as in some anime and manga.

References

  1. ^ Bull, Brett. "Nyotaimori: a Japanese tradition?" The Japan Times, December 3, 2009. Accessed 1 April 2010.
  2. ^ a b Bindel, Julie. "'I am about to eat sushi off a naked woman's body'", The Guardian, Friday 12 February 2010.
  3. ^ "Girl body sushi: too raw for China". People's Daily, May 23, 2005. (Xinhua.) Accessed 1 April 2010.
  4. ^ "Naked Sushi Night Coming To Minneapolis". CBS13.com, February 13, 2008. Accessed 1 April 2010.{dead link}
  5. ^ Malema Eats Sushi With Kenny, Zalebs
  6. ^ Vavi's Sushi War Hots Up, The Sowetan, 29 October 2010
  7. ^ COSATU Deputy Lashes Kunene, The Sowetan, 1 November 2010
  8. ^ A chat with 'Sushi King', Tonight, 6 February 2011
  9. ^ Restaurants+Bars: "Amuse Bouche", Time Out New York, May 3, 2007

External links