SAYUKI, Japan’s first Occidental NJ certified Geisha, offers special party rate to large groups of NJ clients
Posted by debito on February 22nd, 2008
Hi All. SAYUKI, Japan’s first Occidental NJ certified Geisha, is offering special party rates to large groups of NJ clientele. This is a special deal, so if you’d like a glimpse into the Geisha artisan circles (and want to see what the cultural fuss is all about), book a group rate at a very special discount. An email from Sayuki follows, blogged with permission. Arudou Debito
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Dear All,
Following my debut as the first white geisha in Japan, many people have asked me if I can set up an evening at a teahouse where their members can meet geisha.
I have been able to negotiate with one teahouse the following arrangement for groups of first-time foreigners to introduce you to the flower and willow world:
What: Evening at one of Tokyo’s most exclusive tea-houses
When: Either lunchtime or dinner time
Who: Your members and 3 geisha
Where: Asakusa
Ten or more: 12.300 yen per person
Twenty or more: 11,000 yen
Thirty or more: 10,000 yen
*Includes Japanese-style box lunch or dinner
*Does not include alcohol but you can order alcohol and pay separately
This is actually extremely cheap compared to normal prices.
Do let me know what you think.
I would appreciate it if you could pass this on to any other foreign societies in Tokyo that you think may be interested, or put them in contact with me.
I am looking forward to lots of gaijin support!
Thanks,
SAYUKI
http://www.sayuki.net
More on Sayuki on Debito.org here
ENDS
February 22nd, 2008 at 1:58 am
Geishas are the expression of a maschilistic society. Vestiges of an antidemocratic society, dinosaurs bound to extinction. It appalls me that a western evolved woman can EVEN THINK viable to become a Geisha. Donald Keene and other famous Yamatologists have magnified what was just high-level prostitution and slavery. They trumpet the fact that Geishas could choose their lovers… which was OBVIOUSLY FALSE. If you were quite famous you could turn down somebody you didn`t like… but you couldn`t turn down just EVERYBODY. You could just hope somebody could rescue you.
February 22nd, 2008 at 8:02 am
Um…isn’t this discriminatory pricing precisely the sort of racial discrimination that you usually campaign *against*?
February 22nd, 2008 at 8:51 am
Whilst I welcome this, why is she allowed to give special rates to NJs? Is she discriminating against Japanese?
February 22nd, 2008 at 10:32 am
Ok guys lets calm down a bit shall we. Its not like the bad old days where the girls were sold to the Okiyas when they were kids.
Nothwithstanding the practices of the past I think youll find that nowadays Geisha and Maiko are highly paid professional women who do the job wholly of their own free choice.
Dicrimination against Japanese!! The tea-houses in Kyoto are normally OFF-LIMITS to gaijin because of very strict rules where you have to be introduced to a tea-house by a regular members of the tea-house. That cuts of access to most foreigners who dont have those kind of connections.
Not to mention that it costs 100,000 yen for a 2 hour party.
Do you think that the Japan Rail Pass given to tourists is dicrimination against Japanese!!! No its a promotion designed to promote tourism. Its just a way to make this type of world accesible to people who would normally have no hope of getting into it.
Everyone just cool down a little.
February 22nd, 2008 at 11:08 am
I have just read the comments above and am a little shocked. There is a history of prostituition and such, but what country does not have that type of thing?
NJ are being offered a chance to see what all the fuss of a Geisha really is.
I for one know that I could not afford the regular rates (I can barley even afford this “discounted rate”)
I think that Sayuki knows the position of most NJ,like myself, and is putting out a special offer only. Have some respect. I notice you do not go after BIC camera for giving points of a higher percentage on the older products they want to shift, or the special promotional points offered on new products.
February 22nd, 2008 at 5:00 pm
I would have called it good business sense myself :O offering custom at rates to interest a group of punters who normally wouldn’t be. Like “Woman’s Day” at ski fields or movie theaters
Surely the tea-houses discriminate against Japanese without the good connections too?
February 22nd, 2008 at 5:10 pm
Does she offer similar special party rates to Japanese customers too?