Geisha, Mixed-sex Bathing
Column: Travelogue Added Time: December 7, 2010, 20:14:45 Source: admin Clicks: 52
I went to Japan and came back with many reflections. I wrote a long article about various aspects of Japan's economy, politics, culture, customs, etc. Unfortunately, my friends all found it too long after reading it, so they asked me to extract the interesting parts. Now that fast-food culture is popular, I can only indulge in gossip and focus on the interesting bits (a very small part of the chapters are excerpted from other places) for your amusement, and also to broaden your horizons and let you understand some side aspects of Japanese society. However, since we're aiming for the interesting, I can't avoid being vulgar, but I hope there's still some elegance in this vulgarity. After you finish reading, not only should you laugh it off, but if you can find something worth pondering, then this article won't have been in vain.
Suicide Forest
At the foot of Mount Fuji, the dense and eerie Aokigahara forest attracts dozens of special tourists every year. They come here not to enjoy the forest scenery, but to end their lives. A reporter from the UK's The Independent followed local Japanese police and participated in the annual corpse retrieval operation, providing a detailed report.
Autumn is the season for retrieving corpses, and the Aokigahara forest is a natural forest. Wild mushrooms grow in mossy caves, and the outline of Mount Fuji can be faintly seen above the trees. On Friday, October 24th, the Japanese began their annual search for suicides as they have done for the past 30 years. Police officers, volunteers, and accompanying journalists all entered the forest.
The dark forest is mysterious and unpredictable. Uniformed team members were calling out to each other and entering one after another. Indeed, it is a terrifying jungle, with dense trees and the ground covered with rotten branches and decaying leaves.
Compasses malfunction in the forest due to the magnetic field of volcanic lava. Getting lost in these jungles is truly getting lost. Some skeletons have been trampled by wild animals into pieces. It must have been several years since those who came here to die knew that committing suicide here would make it hard for others to discover their remains.
The body retrieval team set off from the foot of Mount Fuji towards the forest of death. Within less than 20 minutes, they found the first body just a few meters away from a narrow path. This was an eternal scene at dawn in the forest sea. It was raining, and he was kneeling on the ground with his face and arms pressed down, in a posture of pain and pleading. His hair was short, slightly gray. His shirt was clean, and there was a long diagonal cut on the right side of his neck. His age was indiscernible. Then, the police shouted and pushed through the crowd, starting to take photos of the deceased with cameras, putting the body in a plastic bag and sealing it, using a metal cart to transport it to a nearby parking lot. Before the body could be pushed into the ambulance, another body was found deep in the dense forest.
As the number of suicides increased, the scope of the body search also expanded. On the day of the search, 300 volunteer firefighters and 44 police officers gathered at the parking lot, most of whom were over 60 years old.
Boxes were nailed to the trees in the forest, containing notes left by the police asking people to wait a moment! Your life is a gift from your parents; don't keep your troubles to yourself, seek consultation. The local police also had a special patrol car in the forest. According to police figures, 48 people who intended to commit suicide have been saved so far. We sometimes receive letters saying thank you for saving me, now I will try to live. said the head of the local police department.
This large-scale annual investigation started in 1970. In the beginning years, the number of bodies retrieved remained stable at around 20, but ten years ago, this number greatly increased. In 1994, 57 bodies were found, and by 1999, it reached a record high of more than 70 bodies. This year, four bodies were found just on Friday alone. Seiko Koyamada, who led this search, said that most of them were middle-aged. In previous years, couples often entered the forest together to commit suicide for love, but there was no such case this year, nor was any teenager's body found. I'm quite happy about that.
Taxis here only run one way. If you encounter a taxi driver here, they certainly have stories to tell. They will recount how passengers arrived at the forest like wooden statues or in a daze and never returned. They always ran one-way trips, only delivering those intending to commit suicide to the edge of the forest, and could never pick up anyone to return.
If you report on the wonders of walking, the mystery of the forest sea, and its various beauties, then we would love the forest sea, said Koyamada. Mountain climbers prefer to climb on the other side of Mount Fuji because they fear suddenly encountering a corpse. I've seen relatives of some suicide victims come here looking for their fathers or sons. I've witnessed the immense grief and heavy blows people suffer from losing loved ones. I want people to understand that suicide is a futile act that only creates sorrow.
Most of those who successfully committed suicide there did so by hanging themselves, while a smaller portion used sleeping pills or poison. In winter, some simply lay down in the snow to die.
Why do those who wish to commit suicide favor this place? Besides the practical reasons for concealment, the answer can be traced back to a long time ago. In the 19th century, feudal Japan suffered severe famine, and Aokigahara was where poor families usually abandoned infants and dealt with the elderly. A writer named Matsumoto Seicho wrote a famous novel that was adapted into a film called "The Pagoda in the Waves," in which one of the characters comes here to seek death.
Another infamous book that sold well a few years ago, "The Suicide Manual," also recommended coming here to commit suicide.
In all Asian countries, it seems that no nation likes suicide as much as the Japanese. In 1998, Japan's annual number of suicides broke the historic record of 30,000 people, and last year it rose to 33,048. Each year, about 12,000 children have one parent who commits suicide. Among the suicides, 22,500 are men, and most are middle-aged. The image of suicides and the timing of their choices correlate directly with Japan's economic crisis, which began in the early 1990s when some companies were severely affected by restructuring, bankruptcy, or collapse.
To curb the trend of suicide, Tokyo subway stations have taken measures by placing mirrors along the platforms, aiming to make those intending to commit suicide reconsider after seeing their own reflection. Japan's Ministry of Labor and Welfare has requested more than two billion yen specifically to combat suicide. However, everyone knows that the only feasible way to reduce the suicide rate is to restore economic prosperity. Nevertheless, even in prosperous times, the number of Japanese who choose the path of suicide remains significantly higher compared to other countries.
Why do they commit suicide? This needs to be discussed from various aspects of Japanese society: their cultural traditions and religious beliefs, their national character, and the social environment they are in.
Firstly, let's start with their cultural traditions and religious beliefs. The Japanese are a homogeneous ethnicity who believe in Shintoism, but Shinto doctrine states that if you are unhappy with life, you can die and be reborn. Therefore, in Japan, suicide is not news. Sociologist Kiyoko Ueno of Tokushima University pointed out that Japan has long been known as the "land of suicide." Social scientist Masahiro Yamada of Chuo University said: "The Japanese do not consider suicide a crime but rather a virtue." Although they hold this belief, the Japanese do not commit suicide at home; they go to beautiful places to do so. Beautiful places are mostly tourist attractions, so signs are posted around picturesque lakes advising against suicide, though not directly stated. Instead, they say things like, "With such beautiful scenery, do you really think you've reached the end?" in a subtle manner.
Secondly, from the perspective of their national character, the Japanese are extremely polite. Not only do they bow upon meeting and departing, but they also nod continuously during conversations. Statistics show that an average Japanese person bows more than 200 times a day. The Japanese conduct themselves with decorum, constantly nodding and bowing, refraining from showing emotions openly. Their speech is humble, restrained, and meticulous. Even among family members, this is the norm: parents visiting their children's homes must say, "Excuse me for disturbing"; after eating at their children's home, they must express gratitude for the hospitality; children treat their parents as if they were guests. Excessive politeness can be understood positively as courtesy, but negatively as hypocrisy. Due to this politeness, the Japanese rarely open up or communicate with others, regardless of how close a friend they may be, whether Japanese or foreign, or even within the family—spouses, parents, or siblings. They reveal nothing of their inner thoughts. As a result, the Japanese experience great stress, leading to a high suicide rate, affecting both seventy-year-old men and seven-year-old children. In a country with a population of over 100 million, more than 30,000 people commit suicide each year. One could say that suicide is a part of Japanese culture, existing not only in ancient times but continuing today. According to police statistics, nearly 34,000 Japanese people committed suicide last year, marking the second-highest number in history.
Thirdly, prolonged economic stagnation has left many middle-aged and older individuals disheartened, while the emergence of suicide websites has provided a platform for oppressed and fragile young people to find companionship.
A decade-long period of sluggish economic growth and changes in Japan's lifelong employment system have left many middle-aged and older individuals unemployed and economically strained. Among those who commit suicide in Japan, nearly 71% are men, with those aged 40 and above accounting for over 73%, and more than 57% are unemployed.
Masahiro Yamada said that for those who were once salaried workers but are now unemployed, suicide might be a rational decision. In Japan, if someone commits suicide, the beneficiaries can still claim the deceased's life insurance money. If the breadwinner of a household dies, the insurance company will pay off their housing mortgage, even if the cause of death is suicide. Masahiro Yamada: "If he dies, his family can get the money. If he continues living without finding a job, they will lose their home."
The internet has enabled Japanese youth under emotional distress to obtain suggestions for suicide and find companions on the same path to death. A few years ago, Japanese individuals contemplating suicide began gathering online, driving to suburban areas, locking themselves in the trunk, and burning charcoal or coal briquettes to produce carbon monoxide for suicide. Juzo Tsukuno, a 43-year-old anti-suicide activist, said: "They really want to communicate with others, and they walk together to commit suicide."
Tsukuno, who was once an alcoholic and drug addict, attempted suicide ten times before the age of 30. He expressed that the current wave of suicides is more terrifying than ever before. Hydrogen sulfide gas poses significant danger not only to those who do not intend to commit suicide but also to nearby apartments and buildings. In April, a 14-year-old Japanese girl in Kochi Prefecture committed suicide using hydrogen sulfide gas, resulting in injuries to 80 people in the building and necessitating the emergency evacuation of another 120 individuals. Authorities have urged internet service providers to block websites promoting suicide. This year, 517 Japanese individuals have committed suicide using lethal gases made from common household chemicals, often harming bystanders.
Geisha
Geisha, one of the representatives of Japanese culture, is often misunderstood by many ordinary people. In fact, geisha are not prostitutes; they sell art, not their bodies. The "art" of geisha refers to possessing real talent and skill, impressing people with their artistry. Thus, becoming a popular geisha is not easy. Today's geisha are like inheritors of Peking Opera Mei-style singing or our giant pandas—a rare historical legacy. They are a declining art form in need of protection. Modern geisha are few, and most enter the profession following family tradition, where elders in the family were once involved. Being a geisha is tough; girls begin training as maids at the age of ten, learning tea ceremony, calligraphy, musical instruments, dance, etiquette, and more. They cannot wear ordinary clothes but must wear kimonos and geta sandals. Their hairstyles require professional styling and are maintained for about a week, during which they cannot wash their hair. They sleep without pillows, instead resting their necks on narrow, hard wooden supports to prevent their hair from touching the bed and becoming disheveled. They train for 12 hours daily. Beginners attend geisha schools to learn skills ranging from drumming to playing the shamisen, singing both modern and ancient tunes, and dancing both contemporary and classical dances. Students often practice outdoors in cold weather until their fingers bleed and their voices give out. Additionally, they learn tea ceremony, pouring drinks, walking, sitting, speaking, and other etiquettes. Typically, geisha have only two days off per month and often suffer from sleep deprivation due to working late, leaving them perpetually tired and unwell. They are forbidden from calling friends or watching TV and must obey their seniors' orders at all times, having no personal time or privacy.
Their expenses are initially covered by the okiya's owner, including training fees and daily costs. Girls simply charge their expenses to the okiya, intentionally cultivating them into ethereal beings detached from worldly concerns, making them seem extraordinary. While learning art, apprentice geisha also serve as maids for senior geisha and the okiya's owner. Since geisha are the mainstay of the okiya and its primary source of income, the owner must cater to the geisha's whims, making apprentice geisha subject to the senior geisha's arbitrary commands. Typically, all aspects of geisha life are handled by the okiya, with apprentice geisha attending to trivial tasks. Apprentice geisha, growing up surrounded by geisha, not only learn their expressions and demeanor but also how to obediently serve others. Almost all geisha endure hardships imposed by the okiya owner and bullying from senior geisha during their training, and resistance is not allowed, serving as a form of discipline.
Apprentice geisha become full-fledged geisha at 18 after undergoing a collar-changing ceremony, offering toasts to their senior sisters, the okiya owner, and dance teachers, drinking nine cups of sake, signifying their official status as geisha.
After rigorous long-term training, even if a geisha lacks remarkable beauty, her talent and grace are enough to captivate guests. Hence, a common saying in the geisha world is: "As long as there are three strings left, there will always be food to eat."
Upon completion of their training, around 6 p.m., geisha leave the tea house to meet pre-arranged guests by their mothers. Geisha performance fees are generally calculated by time. In the past, incense sticks measured the duration, with one stick representing one session, referred to as "one flower." Nowadays, fees are calculated hourly. Geisha earn high incomes, charging approximately 30,000 yen per hour (about 210 RMB), available for entertaining and drinking.
Geisha primarily interact with political elites and celebrities, contrary to the general Chinese perception. Geisha accompany guests for entertainment and conversation but do not engage in prostitution. However, due to frequent interactions, it's possible for someone to develop feelings. If multiple admirers exist, bidding occurs. The brothel owner sets a price, and whoever meets it can hold a ceremony with her. She invites her sisters, and he invites his friends and competitors to the banquet. After spending the night together, they resume their respective lives—the geisha continues her profession, and the man returns to his usual activities. Every July, Japan holds a beauty pageant-like event to select the most popular geisha, whose posters appear throughout the streets.
Mixed Bathing
When it comes to hot springs, let's discuss Japan's bathing culture—mixed-sex bathing, where families bathe together regardless of gender and age, including grandparents and parents. This has been a long-standing tradition in Japan, but in the early 20th century, they felt embarrassed as other countries practiced separate bathing, making them seem primitive and uncivilized. Thus, they legislated a ban in 1912. However, the power of tradition persists, and in some remote areas, this custom still exists. Some hotels offer mixed baths but at different times, and mostly elderly people participate. In households, daughters helping their fathers scrub their backs remains common, regardless of the daughter's age. In the hotel where we stayed, women cleaned both male and female baths. Our tour guide advised us that if we see women cleaning inside, we shouldn't panic or feel shy, as it's a unique Japanese custom and culture.
Japanese people love soaking in hot springs, eating fish, and drinking tea. Due to their good lifestyle habits, they live long lives. Men have an average lifespan of over 70 years, women over 80 years, and there are 25,000 people over 100 years old, predominantly women.
Human Sushi Platter
Originating over a thousand years ago in Japan, human sushi platters involve placing colorful sushi and sashimi on the naked bodies of beautifully bathed women for diners to enjoy. This represents a fusion of human and culinary culture rather than a sexual service. Essentially, it reduces women to vessels for serving food, combining dining with sexuality, objectifying women disrespectfully. It's a unique Japanese cultural phenomenon.
During preparation, cream cakes are placed on the chest, especially the breasts, resembling beautiful bras. Scientific considerations dictate the placement of food items, such as frogfish giving strength near the heart, swordfish aiding digestion near the abdomen, and eels enhancing sexual ability near the genital area.
Beyond food placement, the selection of women is equally stringent. They must be virgins and able to lie still for extended periods, enduring any disrespectful behavior from guests. The principle is complete service, entertainment, and obedience to customers.
Regardless of whether the human sushi platter is good or bad, its existence highlights the low status of women in Japan.
Comfort Women of Japan
Ironically, reflecting Buddhist notions of karma and reincarnation, in our impression, comfort women served the Chinese and Korean populations during Japanese military operations. However, when Japan faced defeat, they organized a vast network of comfort women to protect their own women from similar indignities at the hands of American soldiers. Ultimately, women remain the sacrificial lambs. Below is an excerpt from an article detailing Japan's recruitment of comfort women during that era.
On August 15, 1945, Japan surrendered, and General MacArthur's U.S. forces prepared to occupy Japan. The news of tens of thousands of U.S. troops arriving caused extreme panic among the Japanese. Social surveys revealed that the fear of women being subjected to violent abuse ranked highest among concerns about the occupation. This fear stemmed from propaganda suggesting that if defeated, men would be castrated and women enslaved as prostitutes. Additionally, the atrocities committed by Japanese soldiers in Asia during the war likely influenced perceptions of the occupying forces.
In response to this panic, the Japanese Cabinet urgently discussed countermeasures, concluding that they would adopt the comfort women system used during the war to provide comfort facilities and sexual services to the occupying U.S. forces, thereby reducing harassment of Japanese civilian women. Establishing such facilities required an initial budget of 50 million yen, a substantial sum for post-war Japan. However, Ikeda Hayato, Director of the Finance Bureau of the Ministry of Finance, quickly approved the funds, considering it a worthwhile investment to preserve the chastity and lineage of Japanese women.
On August 18, the Japanese Ministry of Home Affairs issued documents to local governments requesting assistance from police departments in establishing comfort stations for the occupying forces. On August 26, the Recreation Association for the Allied Forces (RAA) was officially established, led by the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department. This association was the specialized institution providing sexual services to the U.S. occupying forces, referred to as the national prostitution agency in Japan. The association included departments for comfort, gaming, arts, special facilities, dining, and merchandise, claiming grandly that its role was to serve as a bulwark protecting the purity of the nation and ensuring the future for generations to come, acting as the underground pillar of post-war social order.
Thus, under the leadership of the Japanese government, a nationwide comfort system for U.S. forces was established in Japan. The first such comfort station opened at Komachien Garden in the suburbs of Tokyo. Subsequently, other comfort stations like Goku Rin, Ken Jo, Hamakawa, and Otome followed suit, reaching a peak with 70,000 RAA women engaged in comfort services.
Initially, the Japanese government tried to conceal its involvement in state-sponsored prostitution, requiring operators of comfort stations to act individually rather than as representatives of the state government, and intending to recruit public and private prostitutes as comfort women. However, unexpected difficulties arose during recruitment.
On August 21, the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department convened a meeting with major prostitution industry leaders, requesting them to mobilize their prostitutes to provide comfort services to the Allied forces. The response was awkward. Most representative was the reply from Narimasa Seikawa, owner of the large brothel Yoshiwara: "Serving yesterday's enemy with our bodies today is certainly possible under compulsion, but even prostitutes may not accept it."
"Please allow us to discuss it further." In fact, the owners' concerns were justified, as the prostitutes reacted strongly to the order. One reason was the long-standing propaganda portraying Westerners as physically different from Japanese, suggesting that engaging in sexual activity with them could be fatal, thus imbuing the act with a sense of tragic sacrifice.
Consequently, the number of willing prostitutes fell far short of