Japan's 'Geisha Guys' the Latest Accessory (Women Paying Up To $50,000 Per Night for Men)

CNN ^ | 04/07/08 | Kyung Lah

[KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle]

At first glance, the man and woman at the nightclub look like any other couple on a date. He flirts and pours champagne. She looks at him and laughs.

This isn't a date, though. It's business.

The woman, a successful executive, has joined a growing number of professional women in Japan in forking out from $1,000 to $50,000 a night for male companionship.

They meet their "hosts" in hundreds of clubs that have sprung up around Tokyo - the industry says only compliments are exchanged. The women pay for a man to lavish them with undivided attention.

"There's nothing wrong with a woman paying to be entertained by a man," one female client says. "It's just another step in equality."

[COBOL2Java]

Sounds like the junior Senator from Massachusetts has a post-Senate career!

[Glimmer]

Yeah! Really nice!!

[najida]

“The Cougars Guide to Happy Hunting”
(I love it)

[najida]

I got this in the mail yesterday and it's an absolute stitch (safe to take to church even) And it lends credence to women paying for some things.

[timm22]

The women pay for a man to lavish them with undivided attention...Yunosuke says he earned more than $200,000 last year, enough to let him visit a salon once a day to have his hair dyed and blow-dried...."Women see us as one of their accessories," he says. "They like to wear nice things, so I try to look prettier for them all the time."

Guys, I hate to ruin the fantasy, but it doesn't sound like these women are seeking the kind of male attention we would all be so ready to supply.

Based on the descriptions in the article, and the picture of one of the "geisha guys," it seems like this is just the commercial Japanese version of the gay male-"fag hag" friendships we have in the U.S. The women appear to be seeking affirmation and attention from a non-threatening, undemanding male.

I'm not trying to imply that any of these Japanese men are actually gay, only that they are being paid to fill a role that gay guys in America play for free.

I would readily be a boy-toy for the lovelies pictured on this thread. I would not be so keen to sit for hours listening to them talk about their day and telling them how nice their shoes look and what wonderful things they've done with their hair...well, that is unless I got paid $200,000 a year like Mr. Yunosuke.

[KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle]

It's even odder and more unsettling over there than one might readily have believed: Japanese Worship Giant 'Metal Penises.' ;)

[najida]

And what is wrong with a woman wanting attention and affirmation from a man? And who says he doesn’t get lucky later? (he might).

BTW, did you watch “The Medium” last night? Really cool EP involving book sorta about this premise (Women going after men then want).

[t_skoz]

that might be one of the most disturbing photos EVER. hahahaha

[biff]

So, what you are saying is that you would gladly accept 50k for your olympic 10 minutes of work? LOL/sarc off

[martin_fierro]

that might be one of the most disturbing photos EVER

Those are my specialty.

< |8|~

[xsmommy]

bc there is something WRONG with yoU!

[timm22]

And what is wrong with a woman wanting attention and affirmation from a man? And who says he doesn’t get lucky later? (he might).

There's absolutely nothing wrong with a woman wanting attention and affirmation from a man. It's quite normal and healthy, actually. But it's not what several posters had in mind when they so eagerly promised their services to the women of Japan. Thus my comments.

And I'll admit that some of these male geishas may be getting more out of the bargain than their hourly fees. It's just hard to imagine that as part of the package, given the descriptions in the article and the rather effeminate look of Mr. Yunosuke. Maybe it's just a cultural misunderstanding on my part, but I don't think sex appeal plays a very big role in the male geisha industry.

BTW, did you watch “The Medium” last night? Really cool EP involving book sorta about this premise (Women going after men then want).

No, unfortunately I don't catch much tv these days. That sounds like an interesting episode, but since the show is about the supernatural I bet the "lucky" guys end up dead or something, right? :)

[najida]

There actually is something similar in Australia that is pretty much upfront about well, a male version of a call-girl. Companionship, affirmation, affection and sex-— all provided by a hunk (swwwwoooonnn!!!) I have the link around here somewhere. And I gather it and businesses like it are doing pretty well.

And yeah, the guys ended up dead in the EP, but it was another man doing the killing. I loved the premise of the book and some of her pick-up techniques were brilliant!

[timm22]

So, what you are saying is that you would gladly accept 50k for your olympic 10 minutes of work? LOL/sarc off

I would *grudgingly* accept 50k for my services, but only because we are facing a possible recession.

My time is really worth much more than that. There's a lot involved in an evening with timm22...the awkward silences, repeated yawns when she talks about things that interest her, the laser-like focus of my eyes on her chest (which breaks only to check out the rear end of passing diners)...that kind of charm and attention doesn't come cheap.

[najida]

Here’s one link (seems the ad was posted yesterday for this group)

http://www.gumtree.com.au/sydney/89/22468089.html

[najida]

http://www.escortsforwomen.com/

http://www.hamiltonhawkes.com.au/

Here are two more, the first one is posted on one of the lit boards.

[mikrofon]

"I give women things that men normally don't do, like complimenting their appearance," says one host, 24-year-old Yunosuke, who only goes by his single host name. "I make women happy."

[The Intro:]

Client: "You velly nice! What you name?"

He: "Yunosuke."

Client: "Tank you, Yunosuke youself... Now, what you name?"

[uglybiker]

Actually this is a Mr Prostitute in Japan.

Geisha guy.

Emphasis on the GEI!