A Brief History of Bisexuality and Homosexuality in Pre-Modern Japan

In pre-modern Japan, men engaged in same-sex relationships with other men. These relationships weren’t deemed any less acceptable than male-female relationships, and just because you had one type of relationship, didn’t mean you couldn’t have another relationship with someone of a different gender. Japan didn’t see homosexuality and heterosexuality the same way Americans do today. Before the mid-19th century, bisexuality was all over Japan sans judgment.  Same-sex relationships weren’t only accepted, but in many ways considered optimal, as it was an opportunity for the younger partner to learn skills and culture from the older man. 

If you want to learn more about the history of homosexuality and bisexuality in pre-modern Japan, you should read Male Colors: The Construction of Homosexuality in Tokugawa Japan by Gary Leupp.