Gay in japanese culture

The Same-sex attracted of the Samurai All About Homosexuality, Buddhist Monks, Samurai, and The Tokugawa Middle Class

Remember the popular scene in The Last Samurai where Ken Watanabe and Tom Cruise make sweet, tender love? You don’t? Well, perhaps if the story had been more rooted in reality we could have seen that happen.

As it turns out, pre-modern Japan was exceptionally accepting, even encouraging, of male homosexuality and bisexuality. Much like that hour we found out that bushido is actually modern-day made-up bullshit, this might surprise you. To be honest, it surprised me, too. I came upon this information while researching an article (still to come) about the current state of the LGBT community in Japan.

<figcaption> The Last Samurai starring Ken Watanabe and Tom Cruise. </figcaption>
I wanted to understand the overwhelming societal pressure placed upon people who are LGBTto, adv, not be. My hypothesis was that I would detect my answers in Japan's ancient and medieval past, assuming that Japan would be like the West in this regard. I would point to the

Japan

Japan's LGBTIQ movement has made some progress in recent years, but reforms remain limited compared to other G7 countries. As of , Japan is the only G7 country that has not provided full legal recognition for same-sex marriages or formal protections for lgbtq+ partnerships, leaving same-sex couples to face various social and legal challenges. Recent public opinion polls demonstrate that about 70 percent of Japanese citizens sustain same-sex marriage, especially among younger generations, reflecting a gradual shift toward acceptance​. In , courts in Tokyo and Sapporo dominated that the government’s prohibit on same-sex marriage was unconstitutional, marking a step forward for marriage equality. However, same-sex marriage is not yet fully legalized in Japan​.

Currently, around 40 percent of local governments, including Tokyo, have introduced partnership certificates for homosexual couples, granting some rights in housing, hospital visitation, and other areas. However, these certificates are not equivalent to marriage and lack the full social and legal benefits that marriage provides​.

At

LGBTQ+ Travel Guide to Japan

Interesting Cities to Visit in Japan

TOKYO

Tokyo is the capital, and main transport hub of Japan. On one hand it&#x;s a very modern city, with neon-lit skyscrapers, but on the other, it&#x;s very traditional with historic temples and palaces, like the Meiji Shinto Shrine and the Imperial Palace.  Tokyo is also a foodie&#x;s paradise, with many small izakayas (small gastro pubs) and the world&#x;s largest fish market, Tsukiji. Shinjuku Ni-Chõme is where the city&#x;s gay bars and clubs can be found. It is renowned for having the world&#x;s highest concentration, with over tiny gay bars crammed together in unassuming, unremarkable blocks. Some of the most famous include Arty Farty, Annex, FTM Bois Bar, Campy!, Aiiro, Dragon Men and Leo Lounge. Read more about Tokyo from Passport Magazine >>

KYOTO

Kyoto is the cultural capital of Japan, and was the former capital city until when it was moved to Tokyo. It has retained its regal charm, with beautiful temples and intricate gardens. The most known are the Golden Temp

Coming Out in Japan From Pots and Pans to Alphabet Soup: Japanese Queer Identities in Context

It's safe to say that most learners of Japanese hope to experience existence in Japan someday. Whether it's for a temporary stay or something more permanent, one of the most fascinating things about living in a foreign territory is the way you trial a shift in identity. For one, your national identity becomes more salient than ever before. Paradoxically, it also becomes less salient, as you find yourself in the loosely-defined category of "foreigner." Based on your outward appearance, you might present as part of the minority or the majority, and the privileges or discrimination you experience in your home country may change or take on new meanings.

While we could probably write dozens of articles about the culture topics above, this article is going to focus on less visible identities — those of the LGBTQ+ community. Unlike identities related to your country of origin or ethnic background, lgbtq+ identities often have to be revealed in order to be recognized. This poses a pr