The previous mama is building a school in the Philippines as volunteer work.<\/h4>\n\n\n- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- How old is the club?<\/dd>\n
- Yamaguchi<\/dt>\n
- It turned 36 this March. This is my fifth year as mama (proprietor).<\/dd>\n
- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- How did you feel when you were chosen by the previous mama?<\/dd>\n
- Yamaguchi<\/dt>\n
- While they say they\u2019re going to pass on the club, many mamas take their sweet time actually doing it (laughs). I thought it was the same this time, but that mama just up and took off (laughs). She simply said, \u201cI\u2019m off to start my second life\u201d (laughs).<\/dd>\n
- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- Might I ask, what is she doing now?<\/dd>\n
- Yamaguchi<\/dt>\n
- She is building a school in the Philippines as volunteer work.<\/dd>\n
- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- Are you serious??<\/dd>\n
- Yamaguchi<\/dt>\n
- Yes, very (laughs). She was the type of person who always flew first class, took taxis and rode the high-class green coach cars on the train, so the customers all told her she couldn\u2019t do it. But now she flies to the Philippines on 29,800 yen discount tickets.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/div>\n\n
![](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/Connect_08_01.jpg\")
\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\nThey finally accepted me. I was so happy.<\/h4>\n\n\n- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- That\u2019s really cool. How has it been for you actually becoming a mama here?<\/dd>\n
- Yamaguchi<\/dt>\n
- I started working here when I was 27 and worked for 3 years as a hired mama. Even after I took over, all the customers were big fans of mama Kumiko Mitsuyasu, so many of them refused to acknowledge me. In my third year, just like the saying Ishi no ue ni mo san-nen (= you have to sit on a rock for three years or \u201cperseverance wins in the end\u201d), they finally accepted me. I was so happy.<\/dd>\n
- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- So there was quite a bit of pressure, it being such a renowned and venerable club.<\/dd>\n
- Yamaguchi<\/dt>\n
- Yes. But, the customers are all really nice. The last mama was really free-spirited, so I am praised just for coming in on time (laughs).<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/div>\n\n
![](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/Connect_08_02.jpg\")
\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n![](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/Connect_08_03.jpg\")
<\/p>\nInside CLUB GR\u00c8S<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\n![](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/Connect_08_04.jpg\")
\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/p>\n
\nWe sometimes recruit people with \u201cFrom A.\u201d<\/h4>\n\n\n- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- Can you tell me about a day in the life of a mama?<\/dd>\n
- Yamaguchi<\/dt>\n
- I get up at around 10:00 a.m. Then, I check faxed messages sent from the office. They also send me score sheets for the girls working in the club.<\/dd>\n
- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- Really? You have to do that as well?<\/dd>\n
- Yamaguchi<\/dt>\n
- Yes. That takes me about an hour, then I head out to yoga. In the evening I go to the salon to have my hair done, then I accompany a customer to a restaurant or somewhere and go to work at about 830 p.m.<\/dd>\n
- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- It must be wonderful going to a restaurant that serves delicious food every day. I want to do it too (laughs). Do you get any holidays?<\/dd>\n
- Yamaguchi<\/dt>\n
- I\u2019m off on the weekends. But in reality, we have lots of kabuki actors and theater related people among our customers, so I often go to the theater on my days off.<\/dd>\n
- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- What are the hostesses at the club like?<\/dd>\n
- Yamaguchi<\/dt>\n
- We hire girls that are very characteristic and suit our customers preferences, such as girls who are fluent in languages, girls who are very fashionable, girls who are good talkers, cute girls and model types. We\u2019ve focused on uniqueness since the last mama. Some of the girls have worked here for over 10 years.<\/dd>\n
- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- How do you find them?<\/dd>\n
- Yamaguchi<\/dt>\n
- Usually through personal connections. It\u2019s illegal right now to scout for new talent, so we sometimes solicit people with \u201cFrom A.\u201d<\/dd>\n
- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- No kidding!! (laughs)<\/dd>\n
- Yamaguchi<\/dt>\n
- But we can\u2019t specify age or appearance on recruitment ads, and someone once came who was old enough to be a hostess\u2019s mother\u2026 we didn\u2019t know what to do (laughs).<\/dd>\n
- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- Yes, that would be a bit of a problem. That\u2019s hilarious (laughs).<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/div>\n\n
![](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/Connect_08_05.jpg\")
\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n![](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/Connect_08_06.jpg\")
<\/p>\nSenjafuda (slip of paper posted on shrine pillars by pilgrims) posted on one wall of the club<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\n![](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/Connect_08_07.jpg\")
\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\nMariko Hayashi, Naomi Kawashima and other celebrities became one-day proprietors.<\/h4>\n\n\n- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- Last year, as an event to support Tohoku, I hear that you held a charity event where women from various sectors replaced me as Ichi-nichi mama (one-day proprietors) for one day.<\/dd>\n
- Yamaguchi<\/dt>\n
- That\u2019s right. I was wondering if there was anything I could also do to help, then writer Mariko Hayashi gave me the idea and I came to hold the event. I set the entrance fee at 20,000 yen, and, thanks to everyone\u2019s kindness, we were able to collect about 16 million yen in proceeds in 20 days. We donated the money to 6 volunteer organizations working in the disaster areas.<\/dd>\n
- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- That\u2019s amazing. Who were the mamas?<\/dd>\n
- Yamaguchi<\/dt>\n
- Mariko Hayashi, economic commentator Kazuyo Katsuma and actress Naomi Kawashima and many other young women volunteered, and every day it was a huge success. Our customers were also extremely pleased.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/div>\n\n
![](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/Connect_08_08.jpg\")
\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\nThe mailboxes on Namiki Dori are not red, but green.<\/h4>\n\n\n- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- From someone who has been watching Ginza for many years, what is the appeal of Ginza that cannot be found in other areas?<\/dd>\n
- Yamaguchi<\/dt>\n
- I only noticed this recently, but on Namiki Dori, the mailboxes are not red, but green. I think Ginza might be the only place in Japan that has green mailboxes. It goes beautifully with the gorgeous scenery of Namiki Dori. It is this kind of attention to details in order to preserve the landscape of the area that is part of Ginza\u2019s appeal.<\/dd>\n
- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- Is that so?? I didn\u2019t know either! Do you have any plans you want to carry out in Ginza in the future?<\/dd>\n
- Yamaguchi<\/dt>\n
- Ginza has a Ginza Social Interaction and Restaurant Association (an association to which all the bars and clubs in Ginza belong) called GSK. It is thanks to GSK that our streets are safe from crime and are kept beautiful. I would like help GSK somehow.<\/dd>\n<\/div>\n\n
![](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/Connect_08_09.jpg\")
\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\nThe next guest will be\u2026<\/h4>\n\n- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- Could you tell us about the next guest?<\/dd>\n
- Yamaguchi<\/dt>\n
- Yoshiki Tani, Representative Director of the longstanding Ginza restaurant, Mikasa Kaikan. He has managed a number of restaurants including French and Italian, and all are delicious. Discover his secrets.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/div>\n\n
![](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/Connect_08_10.jpg\")
<\/p>\n\nChisako Takashima<\/h4>\n
Violinist. Started playing the violin at age 6. After playing abroad, she moved her home base to Japan, and gives concerts all over the country. Although her current focus is on performing music, she also appears on TV and radio programs. Thanks to her much-loved personality, she is appearing in more and more venues.<\/p>\n
- \n
- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- How old is the club?<\/dd>\n
- Yamaguchi<\/dt>\n
- It turned 36 this March. This is my fifth year as mama (proprietor).<\/dd>\n
- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- How did you feel when you were chosen by the previous mama?<\/dd>\n
- Yamaguchi<\/dt>\n
- While they say they\u2019re going to pass on the club, many mamas take their sweet time actually doing it (laughs). I thought it was the same this time, but that mama just up and took off (laughs). She simply said, \u201cI\u2019m off to start my second life\u201d (laughs).<\/dd>\n
- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- Might I ask, what is she doing now?<\/dd>\n
- Yamaguchi<\/dt>\n
- She is building a school in the Philippines as volunteer work.<\/dd>\n
- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- Are you serious??<\/dd>\n
- Yamaguchi<\/dt>\n
- Yes, very (laughs). She was the type of person who always flew first class, took taxis and rode the high-class green coach cars on the train, so the customers all told her she couldn\u2019t do it. But now she flies to the Philippines on 29,800 yen discount tickets.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
They finally accepted me. I was so happy.<\/h4>\n
\n- \n
- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- That\u2019s really cool. How has it been for you actually becoming a mama here?<\/dd>\n
- Yamaguchi<\/dt>\n
- I started working here when I was 27 and worked for 3 years as a hired mama. Even after I took over, all the customers were big fans of mama Kumiko Mitsuyasu, so many of them refused to acknowledge me. In my third year, just like the saying Ishi no ue ni mo san-nen (= you have to sit on a rock for three years or \u201cperseverance wins in the end\u201d), they finally accepted me. I was so happy.<\/dd>\n
- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- So there was quite a bit of pressure, it being such a renowned and venerable club.<\/dd>\n
- Yamaguchi<\/dt>\n
- Yes. But, the customers are all really nice. The last mama was really free-spirited, so I am praised just for coming in on time (laughs).<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/p>\n
Inside CLUB GR\u00c8S<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/p>\n
\nWe sometimes recruit people with \u201cFrom A.\u201d<\/h4>\n
\n- \n
- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- Can you tell me about a day in the life of a mama?<\/dd>\n
- Yamaguchi<\/dt>\n
- I get up at around 10:00 a.m. Then, I check faxed messages sent from the office. They also send me score sheets for the girls working in the club.<\/dd>\n
- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- Really? You have to do that as well?<\/dd>\n
- Yamaguchi<\/dt>\n
- Yes. That takes me about an hour, then I head out to yoga. In the evening I go to the salon to have my hair done, then I accompany a customer to a restaurant or somewhere and go to work at about 830 p.m.<\/dd>\n
- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- It must be wonderful going to a restaurant that serves delicious food every day. I want to do it too (laughs). Do you get any holidays?<\/dd>\n
- Yamaguchi<\/dt>\n
- I\u2019m off on the weekends. But in reality, we have lots of kabuki actors and theater related people among our customers, so I often go to the theater on my days off.<\/dd>\n
- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- What are the hostesses at the club like?<\/dd>\n
- Yamaguchi<\/dt>\n
- We hire girls that are very characteristic and suit our customers preferences, such as girls who are fluent in languages, girls who are very fashionable, girls who are good talkers, cute girls and model types. We\u2019ve focused on uniqueness since the last mama. Some of the girls have worked here for over 10 years.<\/dd>\n
- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- How do you find them?<\/dd>\n
- Yamaguchi<\/dt>\n
- Usually through personal connections. It\u2019s illegal right now to scout for new talent, so we sometimes solicit people with \u201cFrom A.\u201d<\/dd>\n
- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- No kidding!! (laughs)<\/dd>\n
- Yamaguchi<\/dt>\n
- But we can\u2019t specify age or appearance on recruitment ads, and someone once came who was old enough to be a hostess\u2019s mother\u2026 we didn\u2019t know what to do (laughs).<\/dd>\n
- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- Yes, that would be a bit of a problem. That\u2019s hilarious (laughs).<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/p>\n
Senjafuda (slip of paper posted on shrine pillars by pilgrims) posted on one wall of the club<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\nMariko Hayashi, Naomi Kawashima and other celebrities became one-day proprietors.<\/h4>\n
\n- \n
- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- Last year, as an event to support Tohoku, I hear that you held a charity event where women from various sectors replaced me as Ichi-nichi mama (one-day proprietors) for one day.<\/dd>\n
- Yamaguchi<\/dt>\n
- That\u2019s right. I was wondering if there was anything I could also do to help, then writer Mariko Hayashi gave me the idea and I came to hold the event. I set the entrance fee at 20,000 yen, and, thanks to everyone\u2019s kindness, we were able to collect about 16 million yen in proceeds in 20 days. We donated the money to 6 volunteer organizations working in the disaster areas.<\/dd>\n
- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- That\u2019s amazing. Who were the mamas?<\/dd>\n
- Yamaguchi<\/dt>\n
- Mariko Hayashi, economic commentator Kazuyo Katsuma and actress Naomi Kawashima and many other young women volunteered, and every day it was a huge success. Our customers were also extremely pleased.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
The mailboxes on Namiki Dori are not red, but green.<\/h4>\n
\n- \n
- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- From someone who has been watching Ginza for many years, what is the appeal of Ginza that cannot be found in other areas?<\/dd>\n
- Yamaguchi<\/dt>\n
- I only noticed this recently, but on Namiki Dori, the mailboxes are not red, but green. I think Ginza might be the only place in Japan that has green mailboxes. It goes beautifully with the gorgeous scenery of Namiki Dori. It is this kind of attention to details in order to preserve the landscape of the area that is part of Ginza\u2019s appeal.<\/dd>\n
- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- Is that so?? I didn\u2019t know either! Do you have any plans you want to carry out in Ginza in the future?<\/dd>\n
- Yamaguchi<\/dt>\n
- Ginza has a Ginza Social Interaction and Restaurant Association (an association to which all the bars and clubs in Ginza belong) called GSK. It is thanks to GSK that our streets are safe from crime and are kept beautiful. I would like help GSK somehow.<\/dd>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
The next guest will be\u2026<\/h4>\n
- \n
- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- Could you tell us about the next guest?<\/dd>\n
- Yamaguchi<\/dt>\n
- Yoshiki Tani, Representative Director of the longstanding Ginza restaurant, Mikasa Kaikan. He has managed a number of restaurants including French and Italian, and all are delicious. Discover his secrets.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/p>\n\n
Chisako Takashima<\/h4>\n
Violinist. Started playing the violin at age 6. After playing abroad, she moved her home base to Japan, and gives concerts all over the country. Although her current focus is on performing music, she also appears on TV and radio programs. Thanks to her much-loved personality, she is appearing in more and more venues.<\/p>\n