Vol.102　Sayuri Yamaguchi

This year marks the 47th anniversary of the establishment of "CLUB GRÈS," a prestigious, long-standing club in Ginza, which was taken over by Ms. Sayuri Yamaguchi at the age of 29, becoming the second-generation owner. We had the opportunity to hear about her initial foray into the nightlife business and the challenges she faced as a manager.

Japanese

Vol.102 Sayuri Yamaguchi

Ginza "CLUB GRÈS" Owner Mama
Born in 1977 in Saitama Prefecture. She began working at a club in Ginza while attending Musashino Women’s Junior College and became the number one hostess within six months. At the age of 29, she took over the legendary club "CLUB GRÈS," frequented by key figures in politics, finance, and entertainment, becoming the second-generation owner mama.

Ginza "CLUB GRÈS"
Once you step inside, you find yourself in a paradise located in the metropolis. As an oasis in the city that has attracted top-tier guests, "CLUB GRÈS" has charmed and been charmed by countless patrons over the 47 years since its opening. We provide the highest level of hospitality, offering our guests "comfort" and "healing." Enjoy a blissful moment tonight at "CLUB GRÈS."

30,000 Yen for 10 Appointments a Day

I entered the world of nightlife entertainment at 19, and it’s been 26 years since. The opportunity came through a scout. While hanging out at Shibuya 109 with a friend, a female scout approached us, suggesting, “Why not work a part-time job for just two days a week?” I believe she was initially interested in scouting my friend, who was quite attractive, but my friend invited me as well, saying, “It’s scary to work alone, so let’s work together,” and so I decided to join her.

I wasn’t in financial trouble. I grew up in a family of four, with a father working at Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings, a mother, and an older brother. Having my father’s colleagues often visit our home, I grew up assuming I would become a company employee, specifically at the same company as my father. Also, when I was 14, my older brother became a shut-in, staying at home all the time. I resolved then that I would take care of him for life. The part-time job in Ginza paid 30,000 yen a day, which I thought would be enough to support my brother indefinitely.

The club, still in operation today, was named “PIROPO.” I remember my first day vividly, being told, “This lighter costs 300 yen, so don’t lose it,” and responding with a “Got it” before taking my seat. PIROPO operated on a appointment basis, where receiving one appointment paid 3,000 yen. Earning 30,000 yen from just 10 appointments a day became an enjoyable challenge, to the extent that I didn’t mind dropping courses at the junior college I was attending to focus on getting more appointment. The appointment fees and part-time wages were paid in cash in lump sums on payday. Although I was too busy to spend it due to daily companionship requirements, having cash earnings of 1 million yen a month at 19 certainly made me lose my financial senses.

Bearing the Cross

I have never talked about my brother’s situation to anyone before. The reason he became a shut-in is due to bullying at school, which later led to a diagnosis of social phobia. At home, I made an effort to act cheerfully to help my family feel a bit brighter. My cheerful personality now might be thanks to that effort. Sometimes I wonder if things could have been different if I were his older sister instead of his younger one. In any case, I thought that if it was a well-paying job in Ginza, maybe I could support my brother for life. Carrying such a cross, I never left the nightlife business, no matter how tough it got. In Ginza, there are many women who have to take care of their families, are single mothers, or carry various other burdens. Women who work in Ginza for a long time often have such circumstances.

The friend who was scouted with me ended up marrying a customer from the club after about a year, but I found myself thoroughly enjoying the work, working not just two days a week but five. My father was fiercely opposed when he found out I was working in Ginza and coming home late every night, but at some point, he began to support me.

The Founder, the Legendary Kumiko Mama

The founder of CLUB GRÈS was Kumiko Mama Mitsuyasu. She also originated from PIROPO, and by the time I started working in Ginza, she was already famous as a legendary Mama. As someone working in the same Ginza, I desperately wanted to meet Kumiko Mama. At a party attended by hundreds of people from the same industry, I saw my chance. I asked the organizer, Moët & Chandon, to seat me at the same table as her, and they placed me right next to her. At the event, many mamas who had gone independent from CLUB GRÈS came to greet Kumiko Mama, and I just sat there watching. Despite the golden opportunity, I was so nervous that handing her my business card was all I could manage, unable to strike up a conversation.

From then on, I harbored the hope of being scouted by Kumiko Mama, asking every customer who mentioned they were going to CLUB GRÈS to take me with them. It took quite a few visits before she remembered me, but I was overjoyed when she finally called me by my name on about the seventh visit. One day, after some time, Kumiko Mama approached me saying, “I heard from the kimono shop that you’re making great sales. You’re doing well. Let’s find some time to talk.” At that time, I was generating over 30 million yen a month. I later learned that Kumiko Mama had asked the kimono shop to look for someone reliable to whom she could hand over the club.

During one of our meals, she said, “I’m looking for a successor. I want you to take over, so how about working with me?” I agreed to join under the condition that I would be the deputy mama for the three years until she retired. From deputy mama to head mama, three years passed without any discussion of succession, and I began to wonder if I would just continue to be an employed mama. However, just when I was appreciating the invaluable experience gained at the club, she said, “Didn’t I tell you I would properly hand it over?” and sold me 100% of the shares, officially making me the owner mama. Though Kumiko Mama said I could pay in installments, I dislike owing money and paid 500 million yen on the spot.

I had no sponsors. I bought it entirely with the money I had saved by living at home to save on rent during my time as an employed mama. Kumiko mama, had informed about her retirement to Misako-san, an advisor who is still working with us, by phone the day before. Kumiko mama announced her retirement suddenly at a meeting one day without informing the customers or anyone else. I believe she did this to prevent any turmoil and with my best interests in mind. She remained as an advisor for a year, occasionally visiting the club to support us.

Since I took over the club, some customers who said they would support us continued to come, while others stopped. However, the newer generations, the second and third generations, have been understanding of the hardships and their support has increased. I believe this is what generational change entails.

Takeover Incident

It’s a rather embarrassing story, but in 2020, an incident occurred where the club was taken over due to the betrayal of a female executive in charge of accounting. Four years prior, for tax reasons, the company’s shareholder and representative names were changed to that of this executive. Of course, we had an agreement that even with the name change, I was still the actual shareholder and representative. Then, in April 2020, the incident occurred during the state of emergency declaration.

As applying for COVID-related grants and loans required a guarantor from the representative, I felt it was unfair to ask her to assume this role, so I told her to transfer the representative name back to me. However, through a lawyer, she demanded, “If you want to dismiss me, pay me a severance of 25 million yen.” I had no intention of asking her to leave, nor could I afford to pay 25 million yen. We were aiming to reopen in June, but by mid-May, using her position as a representative, she changed the locks of the club, took the passbooks and seals, and unilaterally dismissed executives who had been with us since the predecessor’s time.

We were paying salaries properly, and it never crossed my mind that we could be betrayed in such a manner. I was simply shocked and bewildered. However, I blame my own carelessness for being deceived. I harbor no resentment towards anyone. This incident led to various realizations and allowed me to grow because I had always had smooth sailing without any hardships. It also helped me understand who my true friends were, marking a turning point in my life.

A Fresh Start

Out of necessity, I found myself working part-time in a store located in the same building as CLUB GRÈS. One day, through a lawyer, I was contacted with the news that sales were down and they couldn’t afford the rent, so I ended up using the money I earned from my part-time job to pay CLUB GRÈS’s rent. It’s a rather embarrassing story. However, I desperately wanted to avoid the situation of being evicted from the building. Above all, I wanted to protect CLUB GRÈS.

Eventually, the situation was resolved, and I was able to reopen the store as the owner mama on March 22, 2021. It was an indescribable joy to welcome the spring on the 45th anniversary of the club’s opening. Since I started working in Ginza, I was taught that “a club must be a place of security.” A club is a place where customers should feel safe and relaxed. It should not be involved in family-like disputes or legal troubles. The fact that the incident was reported in weekly magazines is something I find shameful. I’ve taken it as a cue to “start over from scratch,” tightening my resolve and returning to the basics in my work.

Many customers have shown concern, and most of them have continued to visit the club after it reopened. I personally called each of the girls, saying, “I’m going to be the manager again, and I want you to come back.” As a result, eight of them returned.

Tradition and Transmission

As a woman of Ginza, I’ve always been conscious of not being disliked by our customers. This means not being demanding or overly assertive, especially with customers I’m not yet familiar with. I want to keep running this club for a long time and maintain long-term relationships with our clients. Hence, I avoid making requests that might make them feel unwelcome, like asking for more champagne or insisting on another bottle, which could lead them to not want to return.

This approach was taught to me by the predecessor. The philosophy that even if a customer only drinks one glass and leaves, it’s fine as long as they came. Since taking over the club at 29, I was desperate to preserve the legacy of this legendary club. However, after four or five years, I realized that simply imitating Kumiko Mama wouldn’t suffice. I needed to express more of myself. Kumiko Mama had her own unique personality and achieved things possible in her era because of it. This is about “tradition and transmission.” I accept that Ginza is changing with more cabarets and a younger clientele, but as a traditional club, we maintain our essential rules without change. Kumiko Mama retired at 58, but no matter how times change, I want to continue being the Mama of CLUB GRÈS in Ginza for a long time.

Thank you, DK! I’m grateful to have met you through work and to have been featured in “My Philosophy,” something I’ve always admired.
CLUB GRÈS hosts events like the Setsubun ghost day, continuing a tradition of costume events for over 40 years that our regular customers always enjoy. In three years, we’ll celebrate CLUB GRÈS’s 50th anniversary with a party at Ginza’s L’Osier L’OSIER, rented out just for us. Life is full of various experiences, but I’ve been able to overcome them thanks to the support of our customers, staff, and women. I aim to repay their kindness and continue to strive not just for profit, but for people.
DK, please visit CLUB GRÈS again! Thank you.

Ginza “CLUB GRÈS” Owner Mama
Sayuri Yamaguchi

Several years ago, I was first taken to CLUB GRÈS by a senior colleague, where I met, Sayuri Yamaguchi Mama, who was full of vitality (laugh). Previously, another senior had said to me, “Your life condition is too low. Let’s go to CLUB GRÈS,” and during my incredibly low period, Mama’s powerful smile saved me.
Hearing about the transition from the first Mama, Kumiko, to becoming the second-generation Mama, I felt the weight of “tradition and transmission.” Ginza is ever-changing with the times, but it remains Japan’s most glamorous spot without a doubt. The cat I’m holding in the photo with Sayuri Mama is a figurine that has been at CLUB GRÈS since its founding, now 47 years old. It’s a very cute cat that has been watching over the trajectory of CLUB GRÈS all this time.
Through this interview, learning about Sayuri Mama’s background, I realized that behind her brightness were various challenges. Indeed, it’s through facing adversity that people grow and become kinder, a sentiment deeply resonated with my own experiences.
I’m looking forward to the 50th-anniversary party in three years (2026).

“My Philosophy” Editor-in-Chief, DK Sugiyama

December 2022, at Ginza “CLUB GRÈS” Edited by: DK Sugiyama Writer: Naomi Kusuda Photography: Atsushi Arakane

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