‘Naked Sushi Night’ may be intriguing but it’s not right
A growing trend in America that recently reached Fargo gives the objectification of women a literal meaning.
On Friday, March 16, Playmakers hosted Naked Sushi Night. During the event, guests ate sushi off the backs and shoulders of two female models wearing only bikinis hidden by strategically placed flowers and leaves.
The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead featured a story about Naked Sushi Night at the top of the front page March 14.
The prominent placement of the story, which read almost like an advertisement, was inappropriate.
While Naked Sushi Night is definitely unusual for the Fargo-Moorhead area and should be covered by local newspapers, the story belongs in the entertainment section, not on the front page.
Did this story make the front page simply because it featured a photo of a woman wearing only sushi? Is selling a few more newspapers worth objectifying women?
While naked sushi is new to Fargo, the act of treating women like serving platters has become increasingly popular throughout the United States.
The practice originated in Japan as a form of “art” that was once part of the Geisha culture. The Japanese term for the practice of eating sushi off a nearly naked woman is “nyotaimori,” which roughly translates to “adorned body of woman.” The “mori” portion of the word actually means “plateful serving.” Now, the tradition is being practiced throughout the world, including the United States.
Proponents of the practice argue that nyotaimori is an art form. However, Fargo’s Naked Sushi Night was held at Playmakers, a bar that also recently hosted a wet t-shirt contest and a homemade bikini contest.
Those who attend naked sushi events may see the experience simply as unique and exciting. However, there are sexist messages underlying naked sushi that should not be ignored.
China has recognized the barbaric aspect of the tradition. In April 2004, Chinese authorities fined a Japanese restaurant in southwest China for offering to serve “body sushi.”
Authorities said the practice is unhygienic and violates women’s rights. By May 2005, China banned the tradition and condemned naked sushi as a violation of common decency.
Americans often criticize China for its human rights violations, yet Chinese officials are far ahead of the United States in quelling an act that perpetuates the objectification of women.
Although hosts of naked sushi usually try to follow health codes in the United States by placing a barrier between the models’ skin and the sushi, they have done nothing to remedy the sexism inherent in nyotaimori.
While American businesses have the right to host naked sushi nights, and a ban like China’s would be inappropriate in the United States, Americans need to follow China’s lead in recognizing the significance of treating women as tableware.
Businesses would not host naked sushi nights if the events were not successful. Americans should vote with their dollars and avoid naked sushi events.
Naked sushi is an appalling trend. It is a blatant example of the objectification of women; women are literally being used as objects, in this situation, serving platters.
By featuring the event on the front page of The Forum, or by simply attending the event, Fargoans are condoning the subservience and objectification of women.
Mara is a senior studying journalism, broadcast and mass communication technology.
Columnists' opinions do not necessarily reflect the views of The Spectrum