Kagema

A man cavorts with a wakashū (probably a kagema) and a female prostitute. The wakashū (wearing headscarf) sneaks a kiss from the lady behind his patron's back. Nishikawa Sukenobu, ca. 1716-1735. Hand-colored shunga print.

See also: Homosexuality in Japan#Ancient Japan

Kagema (陰間) is a historical Japanese term for young male prostitutes. Kagema were often passed off as apprentice kabuki actors (who were themselves often prostitutes on the side) and catered to a mixed male and female clientele. For male clients, the preferred service was anal sex; homosexual fellatio is almost unmentioned in Tokugawa-era documents. Kagema who were not affiliated with an actual kabuki theatre could be hired through male brothels or those teahouses specializing in kagema. Kagema typically charged more than female prostitutes of equivalent status, and did a healthy trade into the mid-19th century despite increasing legal restrictions. Many such prostitutes, as well as many young kabuki actors, were indentured servants sold as children to the brothel or theatre, typically on a ten-year contract. Kagema could be presented as young men (yarō), wakashū (adolescent boys, about 10–18 years old) or as onnagata (female impersonators).

A kagema and male client converse. Kitagawa Utamaro, polychrome shunga print from the Pillow Book (Uta Makura), 1788.

This term also appears in modern Japanese homosexual slang.

References

Bernard Faure "The Red Thread" 1998.