Samurai Sissies: Getting Railed In Medieval Japan (feat. Dylan Adler)
Sep 5, 2024
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Dylan Adler, a Japanese-Jewish comedian known for his unique humor, dives into the fascinating and often humorous world of homosexuality in medieval Japan. He discusses the intricate relationships between monks and their young protégés, showcasing how societal norms influenced intimacy. The pair explores the nuanced role of samurai culture, from homoerotic bonds to the use of quirky sexual lubricants. They even share tips on romance from the past, making history both entertaining and enlightening!
Historical Japanese homosexuality flourished under Buddhist influence, where relationships between older monks and younger acolytes were culturally normative.
The samurai class perpetuated sexual relationships among men, facilitating social mobility through loyalty and intimacy governing their cultural bonds.
Edo period commercialization of male relationships marked a transition to a transactional view of queer engagements, impacting societal perceptions of homosexuality.
Deep dives
Historical Context of Homosexuality in Medieval Japan
The history of homosexuality in Japan can be traced back to the early periods influenced by Buddhism, where relationships between older monks and younger acolytes, known as chigo, flourished. These boy-novices were not just involved in sexual activities but were also seen as integral parts of the educational and cultural frameworks within Buddhist monasteries. The relationships often combined elements of mentorship, romance, and education and were deemed normative within the social constructs of the time. This historical perspective reveals how deeply rooted queer relationships were in the fabric of Japanese society dating back hundreds of years.
Samurai Culture and Male Relationships
The samurai class, which rose to prominence in the late 12th century, further perpetuated male-male relationships as part of their societal structure. These relationships, often sexual in nature, enabled lower-ranking samurai to ascend the social ladder by forming bonds with more powerful lords. This dynamic of loyalty and honor within samurai culture facilitated a unique landscape for love and desire that prioritized male relationships over traditional heterosexual ones. Many famous samurai figures from history were known to have had intimate relationships with younger soldiers or attendants, reflecting an acceptance of homosexuality that is often overlooked in modern discussions of historical societies.
Buddhism's Role in Shaping Queer Identity
Buddhist philosophy had a significant impact on the cultural conception of homosexuality, shaping how male relationships were perceived in Japan. The arrival of Buddhism introduced concepts that allowed for a more fluid understanding of gender and sexuality, which contrasted sharply with Western notions of morality and shame surrounding sexual practices. Far from being stigmatized, relationships between youth and older men were regarded with cultural reverence and often celebrated in poetry and art. This historical acceptance created a space where queer identities could flourish without the societal pressures often imposed by more patriarchal or religious frameworks.
Commercialization of Male Homosexuality in Urban Centers
As Japan transitioned to urban centers during the Edo period, a new commercial culture of male relationships began to emerge, characterized by male prostitution and the establishment of brothels. This period saw the proliferation of kabuki theater and entertainment districts where younger men, known as wakashu, became desirable companions for wealthier patrons. The development of specific terminology for male homosexuality, such as nanshoku and wakashudo, indicates an evolving cultural landscape that embraced sexual diversity. This commercialization marked a significant shift from the primarily relational aspects of earlier periods to a more transactional viewpoint of queer engagements.
Consequences of Modernization on Queer Relationships
The modernization of Japan in the late 19th century led to the repression of historical queer identities, influenced heavily by Western colonization and cultural narratives. As Japan sought to present itself as a modern nation, there was an impetus to criminalize forms of homosexuality that had been culturally accepted for centuries, such as relationships between samurai and their attendants. This drastic shift resulted in a societal view where queer relationships were increasingly stigmatized and seen as immoral, in stark contrast to earlier historical acceptance. The historical understanding of these relationships highlights the complexities of queer identity and the evolving attitudes shaped by societal changes over time.
“Who knows how many holes actually started wars in Japan…I’m sure many.”
– Dylan Adler, Japanese-Jewish comedian to the stars!
Join us this week on a rip-roaring ride through Japan's hole-tighteningly gay history.
From Buddhist pederasts to sissy samurais and beyond, we explore the kimonos, the scroll paintings, and yes, the hemorrhoidal humor that sustained Japanese homosexuality for over 1,000 years.
My guest and I will also – because everyone keeps asking! – give you a full run-down on how to get laid in medieval Japan. From picking the right lube to just finding somewhere to bathe, it's like talking to two Cosmo Kyoto editors who should have perished centuries ago!
(Except we didn't! And we have the poreless, perky asses to prove it.)