Title: 女帝 Jotei
English Title: Empress
Country: Japan
Language: Japanese
Year: 2007
Episode: 10
Cast:
- 加藤ローサ Kato Rosa
- 松田翔太 Matsuda Shōta
- 酒井彩名 Sakai Ayana
- 前田愛 Maeda Ai
- 斉藤祥太 Saito Shota
- 小沢真珠 Ozawa Maju
SYNOPSIS
Tachibana Ayaka is a simple girl with simple dreams. But after she lost her boyfriend and her mother became gravely ill, she realized the importance of power and money in society.
She started working as a hostess in one of the bars in Osaka and she aims to become the empress of the Osaka nightlife scene, the most influential hostess in the area.
Date Naoto works as a bartender and he helps Ayaka in achieving her goal of becoming the most successful hostess in Osaka.
REVIEW
I find the premise of Jotei slightly twisted; Tachibana Ayaka was discriminated against when she was younger because of her mother's past and in order to get revenge against polite society, she decided to become the ultimate influence in the night life as a highly regarded hostess.
I think it would have been better and more empowering if she decided to rise to the top of the polite society that discriminates against her. Since she decided to become a hostess, it seemed that she's resigned to the fact that the night life is the only place where she can exist.
If you are slightly curious about hostesses and their standing in Japanese society, you'll learn a lot from watching this drama. Its presentation may be inaccurate or exaggerated but in a way, this presentation still reflects the perceptions of the Japanese society about hostesses and cabaret clubs.
There are some rules and rituals for hostesses presented in the drama that was also part of the geisha culture in the past. For instance, the hostess' virginity are highly priced and is given to the respective hostess' most distinguished patron or supporter.
The main character experienced so many hardships as she tries to be the empress of the hostesses; from changing different clubs, to relocating to different cities. Ayaka is someone who is very determined to follow her dreams and strong enough to deal with all kinds of difficulties. Kato Rosa was acceptable in her portrayal of Ayaka but I can't help thinking that there are other compelling actresses who may be able to do a better job.
Ayaka still chose to become a hostess even after she met the love of her life when she was just starting on becoming a hostess. It may be a way for her to show her determination but honestly, I just interpreted it as stupidity on her part. Being a hostess is an impromptu decision and not her childhood dream (and I would find her a strange person if it was) so her insistence to become one even after she was presented a good alternative does not hold much impact, at least for me.
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女帝 Jotei
