Kagema

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;^[1]^: 109 homosexual fellatio is almost unmentioned in Tokugawa-era documents.^[1]^{: 121–122} Kagema who were not affiliated with an actual kabuki theatre could be hired through male brothels or those teahouses specializing in kagema.^[1]^: 69–72 Kagema typically charged more than female prostitutes of equivalent status,^[1]^{: p111 and associated notes} and did a healthy trade into the mid-19th century despite increasing legal restrictions.^[1]^{: 70–78, 132–134} 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.^[1]^{: 69, 134–135} Kagema could be presented as young men (yarō), wakashū (adolescent boys, about 10–18 years old) or as onnagata (female impersonators).^[1]^: 90–92

This term also appears in modern Japanese homosexual slang.

References

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g Leupp, Gary P. (1997). Male Colors: The Construction of Homosexuality in Tokugawa Japan. University of California Press. ISBN 0520209001.

Bernard Faure "The Red Thread" 1998.

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[Leupp-1] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g Leupp, Gary P. (1997). Male Colors: The Construction of Homosexuality in Tokugawa Japan. University of California Press. ISBN 0520209001.

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