Sayuri Yamaguchi×Chisako Takashima

2012.05.02

A talk series with the violinist Chisako Takashima and the Ginza people. Ginza holds many personal and professional memories for Takashima. In this talk series, she thoroughly explores various aspects of the Ginza culture with her guests. Today’s guest is Sayuri Yamaguchi, proprietor of the venerable exclusive CLUB GRÈS.

The previous mama is building a school in the Philippines as volunteer work.

Takashima: How old is the club?
Yamaguchi: It turned 36 this March. This is my fifth year as mama (proprietor).
Takashima: How did you feel when you were chosen by the previous mama?
Yamaguchi: While they say they’re 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, “I’m off to start my second life” (laughs).
Takashima: Might I ask, what is she doing now?
Yamaguchi: She is building a school in the Philippines as volunteer work.
Takashima: Are you serious??
Yamaguchi: 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’t do it. But now she flies to the Philippines on 29,800 yen discount tickets.

They finally accepted me. I was so happy.

Takashima: That’s really cool. How has it been for you actually becoming a mama here?
Yamaguchi: 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 “perseverance wins in the end”), they finally accepted me. I was so happy.
Takashima: So there was quite a bit of pressure, it being such a renowned and venerable club.
Yamaguchi: 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).

Inside CLUB GRÈS

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