Gender and Sexuality in Modern Japan

A lively, accessible survey of genders and sexualities in modern Japanese history from the 1860s to the present.

Sabine Frühstück (Author)

9781108430722, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 31 March 2022

280 pages
22.8 x 15.3 x 1.4 cm, 0.39 kg

'Frühstück's keen historiographic eye along with her deep knowledge of literature and visual culture combine to make this book a must-read for anyone interested in the broader landscape of gender and sexuality in Japan. It is truly a tour de force.' Glenda Roberts, Waseda University

Gender and Sexuality in Modern Japan describes the ever-changing manifestations of sexes, genders, and sexualities in Japanese society from the 1860s to the present day. Analysing a wide range of texts, images and data, Sabine Frühstück considers the experiences of females, males and the evolving spectrum of boundary-crossing individuals and identities in Japan. These include the intersexed conscript in the 1880s, the first 'out' lesbian war reporter in the 1930s, and pregnancy-vest-wearing male governors in the present day. She interweaves macro views of history with stories about individual actors, highlighting how sexual and gender expression has been negotiated in both the private and the public spheres and continues to wield the power to critique and change society. This lively and accessible survey introduces Japanese ideas about modern manhood, modern womenhood, reproduction, violence and sex during war, the sex trade, LGBTQ identities and activism, women's liberation, feminisms and visual culture.

1. Building the nation and modern manhood
2. Controlling reproduction and motherhood
3. Redefining womanhoods
4. Sex at war
5. The politics of sexual labor
6. Queer identities and activisms
7. Sexing visual culture
8. Epilogue
Bibliography
Index.

Subject Areas: Asian history [HBJF]