The art of eating Sushi: Nyotaimori

Nyotaimori sushi is one of the more unique methods of eating sushi. No, this is not a type of sushi and it is not something you can order if you walk into your local sushi establishment. Nyotaimori sushi is not a type of sushi. It is a way of serving sushi. Actually, it is an extremely unique way of serving sushi. Instead of serving sushi on a tray as is traditionally common, Nyotaimori sushi involves serving sushi on the body of a naked woman.

This practice has been around for a number of years. It was originally devised as an underground counterculture process.  The venture could be considered a form of erotic food play but there are others who claim it possesses an actual cuisine benefit. Namely, when sushi is placed in close proximity to the body, it will heat to the level of body temperature. Some say that this will lead to the taste of the sushi improving dramatically. Is this true? Honestly, it is difficult to answer whether or not it improves the actual taste of the sushi. For some, taste is relative as what one person likes another may not. So, when it comes to defining the legitimacy of the improvements Nyotaimori sushi delivers to the actual taste of it, the answer really is up to the individual.

However, it would be safe to say this practice was not originally developed as a method for improving taste. It was designed as an erotic spectacle. While it existed in the underground in Japan at the beginning, it soon drew attention to itself in the eyes of the media. Once the media started reporting on this practice, it came out of the underground and into the public spotlight. Was it accepted by the mainstream? In general, it was met with indifference by most by a certain segment of the population found it to be an intriguing venture. In fact, a new segment of the public in Japan began caught up in a novel, new concept that combined traditional food presentations, erotic displays, and body art into one presentation.

Eventually, the popularity of this practice spread outside Japan and into certain circles in the Western World. In Germany, the practice had become somewhat of a fad. The same could be said of London as well. In some circles in Europe, it has even been mixed with the BDSM scene!

In America, the popularity of the practice expanded into major cities such as Los Angeles and New York City. However, it has not proven to be enormously popular but it has somewhat of a cult following which is to be expected when something uniquely erotic is devised.

Nyotaimori sushi will never develop mainstream appeal so you will not see it offered on the menu of local sushi shops. It will exist in the underground for many years and this means you can have an opportunity to explore this unique activity if you ever have the chance.