In addition to this, the Nihon Shoki records some of Japan's early history. Its first known texts, the Kojiki (Record of Ancient Matters) and the Nihon Shoki (The Chronicle of Japan), were completed in 712 AD and 720 AD, respectively. Japan's first main religion, Shintoism, is said to have been established as far back as 1,000 BC. Let's go back to the very beginning, right at the moment when Japan was created by the gods. To understand that, we must traverse the annals of history. How in the world did Japan go from celebrating homosexual lifestyles to being in denial about LGBT issues even existing? In fact, it appeared to be the rule, rather than the exception, for a majority of Japan's pre-modern history. Japan's pre-modern society was one that not only tolerated homosexuality and bisexuality, but celebrated and even idealized it. I thought it would be easy.Īs is often the case, it turns out I was completely wrong. I would point to the Japanese version of Judeo-Christian anti-homosexuality beliefs and call it a day. My hypothesis was that I would find my answers in Japan's ancient and medieval past, assuming that Japan would be like the West in this regard. I wanted to understand the overwhelming societal pressure placed upon people who are LGBT to, well, not be. The Last Samurai starring Ken Watanabe and Tom Cruise. I came upon this information while researching an article (still to come) about the current state of the LGBT community in Japan. Much like that time we found out that bushido is actually modern-day made-up bullshit, this might surprise you. 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.Īs it turns out, pre-modern Japan was exceptionally accepting, even encouraging, of male homosexuality and bisexuality.