Nyotaimori, “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 refers to the same practice using a male model. This subdivision of food play is originally an obscure Japanese practice that has attracted considerable international media attention.
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.
Worldwide reception varies. For public health reasons, China has outlawed food served on naked bodies. Tickets for naked sushi night may cost around US$75, 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 was criticised by COSATU secretary general Zwelinzima Vavi, leading to a political row. Also, the ANCWL condemned nyotaimori at Kunene’s party as “an attack on the bodily integrity and dignity of women” in South Africa.
Apparently there are many controversies when it comes to nyotaimori or “body sushi”. Many find it repulsive, deviant, unhygienic and demeaning to women, but there are others who find it to be the ultimate form of artistic expression and amazing oriental tradition that says so much about the Japanese culture. Who do you stand a side with and with whom would you agree? I have to admit I’m a bit of a conservative and find putting raw meat of warm human body to be an excellent idea if you want bacteria to develop faster, but that’s just me. What do you think about this?
