Tokyo

By Nick Nicholson


Takashi Masuko, 36, a mid-level executive for a multinational electronics company, fell in love with Kimi Ishiguro, 23, on the evening of February 14, 1994, when he ate sushi off her naked body at a nyotaimori restaurant in Kabukichō, although it would be more accurate to say that he became obsessed with Kimi because he returned to the restaurant frequently over a period of several months, specifically to see her. Strangely, a friendship developed. As Takashi delicately picked up pieces of sushi with his chopsticks from Kimi’s torso and thighs, Kimi would tell him about her extraordinary life: she had been famous, briefly, when she published a book of erotic poems at the age of 17; in 1991 she posed nude for a series of arty pornographic photographs by Nobuyoshi Araki which were subsequently collected by the Tate; and she had travelled to America. By contrast, Takashi’s life amounted to little more than that of a worker bee. He was married, of course, but had no children. Takashi Masuko was last seen on January 11, 1995. He simply, and inexplicably, disappeared. Kimi Ishiguro quickly forgot about Takashi and in 1997 she became the hostess of a popular TV game show.


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© Nick Nicholson 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Content may not be copied or used in whole or in part without written permission from the author.

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This is the third part of Nick Nicholson's theme-adventurous, eight-part Travelogue. Subsequent segments will be published here in upcoming months.

Next Travelogue story: Havana

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AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY

Throughout his life, Nick Nicholson has pursued a variety of creative vocations: music, photography, painting and, in recent years, writing. He lives in Australia.