A brief history of sexuality in premodern Japan

A Brief History of Sexuality in Premodern Japan addresses the system of sexuality in premodern Japanese society as it emerges from court literature, picture scrolls and Buddhist art. Based on the balance of power and productivity, which derived from a political system utilizing marriage politics, the premodern system of sexuality extended beyond the dualism of homo/heterosexuality. Further issues discussed are the relations of sexuality to family structure, desire between mothers and children and other topics that together paint a compelling picture of the gender politics and sexuality of premodern Japan. The book is based on two prize-winning studies that have previously been published only in Japanese.