LGBT Culture in Japan

Same-sex attraction and love has long been a part of Japanese Buddhism and samurai tradition, according to historical and literary references. The Tale of Genji, written in the 11th century by court lady Murasaki Shikibu and considered by many to be the world’s first novel, includes a scene in which the womanizing title character consoles himself with the younger brother of one of his objects of affection.

Kabuki theater has had an all-male cast for 400 years, and male actors who play female roles (onna-gata) attract a huge fan base and are often described as being more alluring than women. Similarly, the Takarazuka musical theater in Hyogo prefecture is known for its all-female troupe and attracts a mostly female audience. Many adolescent girls express an adoration for Takarazuka actresses who play male roles.

Compared to the United States, Japanese society seems rather nonchalant toward gender, as far as dress and mannerisms go. Cross-dressing is a common feature of comedy shows and even company parties, after the men are sufficiently inebriated. There are popular male TV personalities and singers who dress as women and act “feminine.” Many of these came out of the “gay boom” in the 1990s, a period of increased media exposure for gays and lesbians that paralleled somewhat GLBT attention in the West.

Sexual orientation and expression seems to be on a continuum, without strict boundaries, at least during youth. Young Japanese guys are often rather soft-spoken and gentle in dress, speech, and manner, and might be thought of as “feminine” by macho U.S. standards. But not so in Japan—girls consider them masculine. Novels and manga taking up the theme of love between the same sex are very popular, especially among teenage girls and young women. Girls having crushes on older female students in junior and senior high school is very common, and seems to be a part of adolescence. At an all-girls junior high school in Tokyo I attended, younger girls would often write “love notes” to older girls, expressing their admiration and feelings—then they’d ask another girl to deliver them, as they were too shy.

It’s common to see teenagers of the same gender holding hands (girls and young women) or walking arm in arm (both genders) in public. Japan has no legal prohibitions against same-sex attraction or homosexuality. Perhaps because of this, there doesn’t appear to be any movement for legalizing same-sex marriage, as there is in the United States. On the other hand, there is a lot of social pressure to marry, and being single too long is considered a handicap for men in the business world. But more and more young women are now choosing to be single and choose their own path.

Sexual orientation in Japan is not such an either/or dichotomy as in the United States, so there’s less emphasis on public “outing.” What you do in your private life and with your in-group is your own business. You won’t see large gay pride parades, as in the United States, although they pop up occasionally on a smaller scale.

Ruthy Kanagy

About the Author

Ruthy Kanagy was born in Tokyo and grew up bilingual on both sides of the Pacific Ocean. After graduating from Christian Academy in Tokyo and finishing college and graduate school in the United States, Ruthy taught English and Japanese language and culture for many years in Japan and the United States. She also translated a Japanese children’s book, The Park Bench.

In 2000, she discovered the joy of cycling and solo-toured Hokkaido, the “Alaska” of Japan, tracing her childhood roots. The mountains, caldera lakes, hot springs, seacoast, and wildflowers were just as she remembered.

Currently, Ruthy works as Asia sales rep for Bike Friday, manufacturer of custom folding travel bicycles (www.bikefriday.com). On the side, she organizes bicycle tours to Hokkaido, Tokyo, Kyoto, and the Seto Inland Sea through Japan Cycle Tours LLC.

Her passions include reading, writing poetry, working in the garden, and learning new languages – currently, French and Korean – in hopes of touring those countries by bicycle when she retires.

Ruthy calls Eugene, Oregon, home. Her travel photos are displayed at http://www.livingabroadinjapan.com. Write to her on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/LivingAbroadinJapan.

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