Queer Japan: Personal Stories of Japanese Lesbians, Gays,Transsexuals and Bisexuals [Illustrated] [Hardcover]

Barbara Summerhawk (Author, Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 1999 | ISBN-10: 0934678979 | ISBN-13: 978-0934678971 | Edition: illustrated edition

In this important contribution to international queer studies, sixteen Japanese lesbians, gay men, bisexuals and transsexuals tell their stories. Doseiai (same sex love between men) has never been legally nor socially accepted in Japan. Until recently there were not even terms to describe women-loving-women. With a new courage and consciousness, Japanese queers are beginning to speak out. A Best of Small Press Award Winner

Editorial Reviews

Review

As American gay men, lesbians, and transsexuals continue to battle a conservative, Puritanical society for the right simply to be human, it is immeasurably valuable to hear the words, spoken with a courageous lack of ambiguity, of homosexuals and transsexuals fighting for the same right in a culture even more rigid and denying. In these essays and interviews, bright, brave, large-hearted people tell us of their efforts to live happily and, in the process, create a Japan in which they will be accepted as citizens. --Christopher Davis, University of North Carolina

About the Author

The first ever in-depth view of queer life in Japan, these personal stories of Japanese Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals, and Transsexuals, edited and translated by Barbara Summerhawk, Cheiron McMahill and Darren McDonald, span generations. A Best of Small Press Award Winner

Product Details

• Hardcover: 216 pages
• Publisher: New Victoria Publishers; illustrated edition edition (June 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0934678979
• ISBN-13: 978-0934678971
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,230,918 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A very interesting and accurate glimpse of Japan, February 5, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Queer Japan: Personal Stories of Japanese Lesbians, Gays, Transsexuals and Bisexuals (Paperback)

I have lived in Japan for more than twenty years and I was very pleased to read this book. Though I am not gay I have many Japanese and non Japanese friends who are, and I have listened over the years to their stories. This book is a perfect example of what the gay experience is like here in Japan. It's very honest and moving. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in Japanese sub culture.

14 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Expanding the Understanding of Japan, July 19, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Queer Japan: Personal Stories of Japanese Lesbians, Gays, Transsexuals and Bisexuals (Paperback)

People will stumble upon this book, I think, from their interest in other areas, gay and lesbian studies, or Japanese culture for example. The area of gay and lesbian studies in Japan is still so new and relatively small compared to the United States, for example, that as a discourse it does not quite have the independence and stature to attract wide notice or sympathy.

That said, this is an excellent introductory book, one-of-a-kind, in fact, of Queer Japan. In every story, translated by a trio of non-Japanese academics who have spent several years apiece in Japan and are active in gay-lesbian-bisexual-transexual groups, the author is awash with gratitude, to be allowed finally to speak in one's own voice, of the struggles, pain, and yes, the joys experienced. In such an oppressive culture, where candid, direct speech is not encouraged, or even actively discouraged as being childish and selfish, these essays are all the more remarkable.

My only complaint, which prevented me from giving 5 stars to the book, is technical: there are numerous grammatical errors, as well as careless word use. Sorry, I was an English major in college. I was trained to spot misuse of transitive/intransitive verbs, for example. It makes me sad that such errors suggest to me a lack of attention on the part of the publisher; in other words, this makes me feel that those involved in editing the book did not take as much pride in their own book as their subjects, which conflicts with the heartfelt call for those in the book, and others like them who struggle in Japan, to take pride in themselves, their essential beings.

In short, an excellent, though technically flawed book, for those looking to expand their understanding of modern Japan.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Kimberly Fujioka, September 8, 2006

By 

Kimberly Fujioka "the professional editor" (Honolulu, HI) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Queer Japan: Personal Stories of Japanese Lesbians, Gays, Transsexuals and Bisexuals (Paperback)

Queer Japan is an excellent book examining the real lives of gays, lesbians and transsexuals in Japan. I know the editors of the book personally and attended the book opening in Tokyo. I heard the stories of the Japanese women and men whose personal stories are contained in the book. It is a moving and realistic account of the Japanese people's treatment of transgressors of their mianstream culture. I lived in Japan for 6 years and taught at Gunma Prefectural Women's University with Cheiron (one of the editors); and I know first hand the lives of the lesbian, gay and transsexual people in Japan.

All I can say is "Read it !"