I recently heard of a Japanese movie called “Flea Remover Samurai” (のみとり侍), which was released in 2018.
It is based on a short novel by Shigeo Komatsu by the same title (the original title uses a kanji for the word flea: 蚤とり侍).
The premise of this story is that the main character, who once was an elite samurai, resorts to the side hustle of removing fleas from cats to supplement his income.
But here’s a twist.
His real business is a male courtesan.
I’d love to watch the movie sometime, but did you know that the profession of flea remover (蚤取り屋) actually existed during the Edo period (1603-1867)?
As far as I know, they were not covert courtesans, though!
This strange occupation is sometimes introduced in rakugo, usually in a makura or a free talk before commencing rakugo.
According to what I have heard in rakugo, they wrapped up a flea-infested cat with wolf’s fur, which was warmer and more comfortable than the cat’s, so that the fleas abandoned the cat for the wolf’s fur.
It is said that they made enough money to make a full-time living.
What are some of the strange professions from your country? Please let me know in the comment section below. I am very keen to learn about them!!!
English Rakugo NZ 