A Culture That has Tormented Women in Japan for Centuries

In 2018, an incident occurred during a sumo match that caused a major problem.
A woman came into the sumo ring to give emergency aid to a mayor who had collapsed in the middle of his speech. Immediately after this, an announcement was made telling her to get off the ring right away and have a man perform it instead. Where the woman stood on the ring was later purified with salt.
In the end the mayor did survive, but there was a flood of criticism against the Sumo Association for its clearly inappropriate response to a life-threatening situation.
Sumo wrestling was originally a Shinto ritual and for this reason, there is a tradition that women are not allowed in the ring which is an area to worship the gods.
But why?
It is because it is believed that women have “穢れ Kegare” which means “impurity/dirtiness” due to their periods and blood. In one of my past videos, I have also mentioned how mothers were not able to visit shrines after giving birth to babies. “穢れ Kegare” is defined as "a state of impurity that is considered abhorrent" and "a state of being avoided because it is believed to bring harm to the community".
Why did the idea of women's blood being impure spread in Japan?
So today, I will explain how women have been treated in Japan because of the idea that their blood is impure and about the root of this idea itself.
Before we get started, I want to make the following three things very clear:
1. It is difficult to translate the word "穢れ Kegare" because it is a word unique to Japanese
2. Since “穢れ Kegare” is a very vague concept, please understand that today’s content is just one of the many theories that I’ve studied
3. I believe this kind of discrimination must never be tolerated even if "it's a tradition"
Women's periods are a physiological phenomenon necessary to nurture the lives of the next generation and should never be a reason for discrimination. Furthermore, childbirth is the act of a woman risking her life to give birth to a baby, and I strongly believe that all of humanity should be grateful to all mothers around the world.
[Time codes]
0:00 Let's START!
3:10 How Women Were Treated
5:49 Why Women's Blood was Considered Impure
11:45 Today's Conclusion
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[@bunderlemu7802]

I find it weirdly interesting. Japanese culture is not alone in this regard. For whatever reason, many cultures consider a period as dirty/tainted, although it plays a vital role in our species survival.

[@ArveEriksson]

Yes... I think every culture has some variation of this idea. As forward-thinking as we swedes consider ourselves to be, discussing menstruation just isn't a thing you do here. Unless you're artsy, or among close lady friends, I guess.

[@IchibanOjousama]

Imagine if producing sperm was punished and shamed instead, just as severely, all over the globe, for tens of millennia

[@melelconquistador]

@@IchibanOjousama In some cultures ejaculting anywhere but inside a woman is religious crime. Source, the bible.

[@bishop51807]

@@IchibanOjousama Yeah I also know In Muslim culture men who have a wet dream need to pray for forgiveness among several other things

[@TT-ee1vv]

@@melelconquistador That is no longer being practised from the New Testament time of the Bible till now. It only occurred in the Old Testament times in the days of the Law (both women and men).

[@yve_w40]

omg I remember this incident 😔 I was so, so shocked like “they had to PURIFY the ring?? and this is widely accepted??” must be so humiliating for that lady. she was just trying to save someone’s life.

[@LetsaskShogo]

It’s unbelievable, it must never happen again😠

[@wasshi_9990_sumi]

Those people there who treated that lady in that inhumane way, it's very... I don't even know what to say about that kind of people.

[@Lee-O1-]

😔

[@kylanoble8669]

I can’t speak for the elderly in the boonies, but I wouldn’t say this is widely accepted. My school brought women into a lil ring and taught us to sumo wrestle, and I haven’t met anyone in Tokyo or Nagoya who believes these things.

[@analuna7886]

Growing up, I wasn't that aware of this period stigma because my male siblings and dad never complained about it nor made any rude remarks. My mom thought me what was happening to my body and what it meant. Even my older brother would teach me what he would learn about the female body (huge nerd that would study everything). Whenever I had cramps too strong to get up, one of my brothers or dad would go buy me some pain killers, tabs and a snack or two. They were never ashamed or awkward about it like I've read online from other guys. Guess I'm happy of being born and raised by love. Edit: just realized this was uploaded today and I just got my period.

[@cohlinegarnet8313]

That is so absolutely adorable.

[@analuna7886]

@@cohlinegarnet8313 thank you, but since they were my siblings at the end of the day they find it fun to throw the puffy pads at my face or at each other and one time, my brother walked in my room with some ice cream as he sang the Halo song, then dramatically offer it to me.

[@dreadcthulhu5]

@@analuna7886 Yeah, but family can have goofy ways of showing each other love, especially siblings.

[@user-nb5jo2xi1g]

That's wholesome Nice short story

[@PasscodeAdvance]

that's beautiful, I'm glad you have such a healthy family. I have a big sister too and even if she had periods I wouldn't treat her or even any other woman differently.

[@cassandralyris4918]

There's another flipside to this belief too. Women who have had hysterectomies no longer being seen as women and considered bad luck. I have been disinvited to many wedding and baby showers due to this superstition. There is no possible way to win under such harmful beliefs.

[@spiritandsteel]

That’s awful. I’m so sorry. And yet it’s incredibly common in misogynistic cultures. You can see similar-though usually less explicit-biases even in the west. The structure always works like that though. Women are seen as inherently lesser, and anything associated with women is de-valued (this is most obvious in job pay scaling as demographics change over time), and yet any woman who does not fit in to the narrowly-defined and impossible to follow cultural norms is ostracized by society. It’s an intentional power structure in which there’s no way to win. Everything is a double standard, everything is a lose-lose situation.

[@cohlinegarnet8313]

@@spiritandsteel It's quite unfortunate. Even today, you can see how our generation continues carrying these values, despite the heavy talk around why we shouldn't.

[@btat16]

@Kurotetsu Nobody deserves that treatment for doing something that harms no one. Period.

[@jamingrocks9334]

@Kurotetsu what exactly is there to ridicule?

[@froggo603]

@Kurotetsu i smell an incel

[@dariustiapula]

For a warrior culture. There is a lack of exception for women who died in birth. I mean even the Aztecs thought women who died in birth is automatically granted a warrior death.

[@pietropiva1376]

Vikings too

[@emperorfaiz]

Ancient Spartan as well. They honored mothers died in birth on the same level as Spartan warriors died in battle.

[@AdamOwenBrowning]

Haha, women who die in childbirth in Japanese mythology basically get blamed for it!

[@dariustiapula]

@@OmarLivesUnderSpace It's like a struggle on the battlefield. Your tired, your in pain etc but you are still fighting to bring new life into this world instead of ending it. And despite it all, you still failed. Fortunately for you, your gods considered that an honorable death.

[@Armendicus]

@@dariustiapula you don’t fail if the child lives.

[@lilyflower5576]

I am Native and I heard that our periods actually gets rid of impurities every month and so we are "purified" every month with the moon. Though during our period we cannot take part in some ceremonies and other things, we don't become dirtier, we are actually being purified instead. While men are not purified because they have no period so they have to under go other ceremonies for men instead.

[@sevenproxies4255]

I never understood the hypersensitive ideas surrounding menstruation. The way I see it, as humans, we all discharge various unpleasant substances. Like when we go to the bathroom. Or when we get sick (runny nose, vomiting etc.). So women menstruate once a month, what's the big deal? It's just ONE more thing added to the list of unpleasant discharges that humans have. It doesn't make much sense to create a giant cultural taboo around it. It shouldn't be any bigger source of shaming to anyone than going to the bathroom in my opinion.

[@gloria5245]

You have to understand that in the past before the science behind menstruation is widespread, traditions dictate how people think and do things. In many Asian cultures, it tends to be considered shameful when it comes to menstruation. Tho I believe this is slowly changing

[@sevenproxies4255]

@@gloria5245 Still doesn't make sense, because there's plenty or cultures in the world where menstruation was never considered a giant cultural taboo at all, but was seen as a normal part of life or as an indicator that a woman was old enough to get pregnant.

[@Rodrigo_Vega]

My hypothesis about this, is that extremely male-centric cultures can't allow any public discussion about anything in which the men in the room are not the foremost experts. Any field of knowledge in which women traditionally developed more knowledge than men; including those that relate to their own bodies like menstruation, midwifery, but sometimes things like brewery and herbalism (see witches in the west) were seen as lower, taboo, wicked or at the very least modestly hidden from mixed society. What a shame would it be if old, bearded sages had to actually listen to some common market wife and learn anything _from them_ .

[@nullshock3381]

Babies come from there! (This is a joke/reference just want to see what I'm referencing. Hint what I am referencing didn't have anything to do with menstruation. If you get upset that's on you not me.)

[@ADeeSHUPA]

@@nullshock3381 Babies

[@miriammanolov9135]

As a middle eastern woman, there is similar struggles but even worse. Many cannot complain or speak up because ot is either a taboo or shameful to bring up any concern or issue to be brought to light, and many have to "accept" what they were created to endure. I'm trying not to get into details, but many now are speaking up, and the majority of them are getting "cancelled". Thanks to social media (to an extent) that many are delivering their messages out there, even that causes potential problems. Sometimes they have to make a point.

[@nikicarrie4071]

The problems are with the imans and men there . They only think for themselves and believe women are created to serve men

[@miriammanolov9135]

@@nikicarrie4071 you got it !! Plus, I was one of the Christian minorities there.. so double the issues.

[@yarikyaryi]

Just like in West Europe and USA. Try to say something against SJW and you will be immediately cancelled.

[@PrettyH8Mach1n3]

@@nikicarrie4071 there is a similar occurrence among Hindus. If you are menstruating, you aren't supposed to enter the temple and people compare it to going to temple with excrement in your pants. I guess menstruating people are outside of God's grace.

[@PrettyH8Mach1n3]

Social media companies suck. First and foremost they are about preserving business, even in the face of injustice. So they will not block certain things in certain countries. Facebook for example, has been been accused of having a part in the Myanmar genocide for allowing the majority and government to post whatever incendiary material they chose. I suspect it is the same in the middle east, even at the cost safety to minorities.

[@terryenby2304]

There are cabins and huts like these all over the world. And women die in them, from things like post-party haemorrhage, uterine infections, or other complications that could be treated if they were cared for. As well as newborns dying from things like minor infections, exposure or even sadly post natal illness that was caused/worsened by the social isolation. Cultures and communities are literally willing to let their loved ones die for ridiculous traditions. I am so glad your videos exist. I am so glad young people are rejecting harmful or cruel traditions. ✌️

[@bishop51807]

Ignorance

[@roxyhart5692]

Appreciate the topic. As a woman hearing about these things is seriously exhausting but also important. Periods, if anything, should be celebrated, that women go through discomfort and pain to be able to carry children (regardless of whether they decide to do so or not).

[@PrettyH8Mach1n3]

It's so upsetting because nearly every religion has some conservative rule like this about women being impure and especially so during menstruation.

[@ShinSeikiEvan]

The odd thing is that the Japanese DO traditionally celebrate a girl's first period by eating sekihan (red rice).

[@co_untryyy]

It's a thing every woman goes through. So what it hurts? We don't throw parties for the people who work all day every day to the bone.

[@shanedoesyoutube8001]

@@ShinSeikiEvan huh??? Nani???

[@admiralsnackbar69]

@Co_ untry and alot of the time woman do both 🤷‍♀️

[@troycoleman918]

I commend your bravery ,unpacking your culture’s laundry for the public takes stones.

[@susansamata3696]

Japan’s laundry? Oh, Japan is very far from the only place you’ll find exactly this sort of thing.

[@troycoleman918]

@@susansamata3696really ? Well gosh…. when I watch those videos on the KZbins I’ll be sure to commend them too. Thanks

[@susansamata3696]

@@troycoleman918 point taken, i see what you mean

[@dothetwist298]

this impurity thing is a well-known fact in Japan and it's never been a secret to anyone, so can't really call it laundry.

[@troycoleman918]

@@dothetwist298 well known in your fishbowl but the world is an ocean , I am thankful to Shogo for enlightening me

[@KD-zj4ye]

I am a Theravada Buddhist (born into a Theravada Buddhist family), and I've never heard of this view about menstruation in Buddhism before. Did a quick Google search and found out that it's kind of unique to Japanese Buddhism (and some other Buddhist countries), so now I know why I've never heard of it before! The Buddha never restricted women from doing anything when they were on their period, and menstruating is considered a natural process in Buddhism. However, some Buddhist countries do impose restrictions, and it's more to do with the culture of the country than Buddhism itself. Since Buddhism doesn't consider menstruating a bad thing, I wonder how an apparently matriarchal society like Japan came to shun women who are on their period. Was it because of the countries that brought Buddhism to Japan? 🤔 A very informative video, thank you 😊

[@SkySnowSOS]

Unfortunately many Theravada Buddhist temples in Thailand do not allow women into sacred / holy ground where Buddha relics are believed to be enshrined (Phra Tat / พระธาตุ) . This is due to similar beliefs expressed in Shogo’s video including women’s period being impure. If you visit Thailand and visit one of the temples with Phra That you will see a sign saying “No Women Allowed” pass a certain threshold near the Phra That.

[@markfergerson2145]

Buddhism suffered an amazing amount of syncretism (amalgamation with other belief systems and practices) after his death and as it was transferred outside India (this is in addition to the various schisms that have generated the many schools of Buddhist thought). By the time it got to Japan it didn't seem to resemble what he taught very closely, being contaminated by the cultural quirks of the nations it passed through on the way, and of course as Japanese culture changed, the Japanese version of Buddhism mutated some more.

[@KD-zj4ye]

@@markfergerson2145 I completely agree

[@NoName-dx1no]

Actually it does women can’t go into certain parts of pagodas due to “spirits thinking that women are dirty” other than that I can’t think of much

[@briancrosby152]

I used to have such a Idealic view of Japan. Through Shogo-San's videos & other's I realized japan is just as Flawed as my own country. Japan is also a beautiful place to just as mine is, you just have to look. Thank you for the video Shogo-San 🙏

[@martiddy]

11:30 You nailed that part about: "traditions that discriminate people should be eliminated", some people still think that keeping outdated believes that violates human rights should be keep because is part of culture, but that's not true. Culture is way more than just some misoginistic traditions. And this applies for other cultures around the world as well.

[@Smartyvoy]

While you do make a point, changing people mind is not easy and not instantly. You can not change what they were taught generation after generation so easily, especially if they were raised their entire lives with those beliefs. The change might be infuriating slow but it's up to the new generation to allow these old beliefs to fade away by refusing to follow them/rejecting them. And just FYI, not every belief is misogynistic, some affect men in similar ways so maybe keep an open mind and look at the whole issues together as human beings rather than focusing on only one side. Not trying to start an who over who argument. Just trying to elaborate.

[@martiddy]

@@Smartyvoy Yeah, I know is not something easy. These traditions that are rooted into the culture usually takes generations and some times even centuries to change the the way that people think about it. But I think in the long run, those traditions will eventually fade away with time, to become nothing more than just a memory. I mean, stuff like slavery used to be very common 200 years ago and now all countries in the world have abolished it (The last one to abolish slavery was just two decades ago).

[@martiddy]

@Kurotetsu what do you mean by "patriarchal order"?

[@martiddy]

@Kurotetsu Kinda ironic that you say that, because Denmark, Iceland, Finland and New Zealand all have female leaders and those countries are one of the most developed nations in the world in terms of human development index.

[@Yomomcancomegetit]

@@martiddy Germany too, they don't have a female leader anymore but they did for so long.

[@viviesme]

I appreciate that you discuss all sorts of topics on your channel, and don’t shy away from certain ones.

[@alexandermccalla5098]

WOW. When seeing women that had recently had children in media such as anime, I had always thought they stayed alone for the sake of their mental health. I never realized it was more akin to being exiled.

[@lyndsaybrown8471]

Same, when my coworker talk about it, I just assumed it was to help the mother recover by reducing her stress (I.e. not doing house chores, having to go shopping). Hopefully that is the more modern reason and the mothers aren't being shunned.

[@JasonB808]

Never base your assumptions on Anime. My brother works as a lead English Teacher in Japan for 11 years. He always hopes he doesn’t get anime obsessed people coming in via JET program. They tend to have a misguided sense of real Japanese life and culture and many don’t last long or have issues adapting to real life in Japan. It’s not like they can’t like watching anime or what not, it’s being too obsessed with it and believing everything in Japan would be like living in an Anime world. My best Analogy would be if foreigners coming into US that are obsessed with Marvel or DC comics and dress like those characters, speak like those characters, base everything they know about America from the movies and comics. We would think they have a few screws loose don’t you think.

[@whatthehell7975]

@@lyndsaybrown8471 they were not allowed in temples cuz we are weak in these days...it is just the period days..we are not allowed in temples

[@iguoyrxayananikihs9505]

@@JasonB808 Yeah, that is why I don't like slice of life and romance anime. Sci-fi, Isekai, Fantasy, Adventure Anime are very unrealistic so there is no way people can make assumptions about Japan based on that. (At least, someone with brain).

[@saintnicole3209]

@@JasonB808 i like anime but i always think about it in this way: in the west, we see entertainment as a fantasy, as an escape from our normal day to day lives and routines. in japan it's probability the same. anime is not realistic or reflective of the average japanese person's life because it is their form of entertainment and escapism.

[@youngimperialistmkii]

The concept of women being "impure" due to menstruation seems to have cropped up in multiple places around the world in antiquity. I wonder why?

[@admiralsnackbar69]

Men

[@justno5204]

Ignorance

[@somedude8667]

C. All of the above

[@vsperatos]

Because men understand what it represents! The ability to bring in life. And they resent that power

[@chikiexx6587]

@@vsperatos what

[@HidinginPublic]

Always love your videos Shogo. Keep it up and Goodluck reaching one mil. I plan to go to Kyoto once things become convenient.

[@seekingabsolution1907]

I mean, the same concept existed in the old testament, the notion of menstruation as impure is a surprisingly common one in human history.

[@lonesomebookworm4345]

Though my family is not religious, I was raised in an Orthodox Christian environment, and this kind of notion still stands were I live, at least. Us women are not forbidden but are discouraged from attending mass or even stepping inside churches during our periods, and there are certain monasteries that prohibit women from visiting them. One such place is Ayion Oros (you may know it as Mount Athos) which is a monastic community forbidding women from visiting DESPITE being dedicated to the Virgin Mary. I remember once watching an interview from one of the monks there on TV, where he was asked on why women were not allowed there despite them worshipping a woman, and his response to that was some wishy washy "we only love the ultimate woman here" that didn't really answer the question. Misogyny is sadly everywhere, and always has been, and the prime perpetrators of it have always been religious old men sworn to celibacy and taught that women are the spawn of evil. Go figure...

[@hollyingraham3980]

Only in patriarchal cultures.

[@TT-ee1vv]

@@lonesomebookworm4345 How is that still possible? It became null and void in the New Testament after the coming of Jesus. I am shocked that it is still being practised, this is why I do personal Bible studies. What about the old testament laws for men do they still practise that?

[@lonesomebookworm4345]

@@TT-ee1vv Is that so? Interesting... Sadly, I'm afraid that the mentality where I live is still backwards with a lot of things, not just religion. Modernized as we are, we're still just a bunch of bumpkins when it comes to anything remotely related to politics and equality... At the very least, I can't say I've personally met anyone who's fanatic about this kind of thing here. Though I'm sure they do exist, I'd say we're relatively laid back.

[@CyberMercy]

Ty for this post, The transition from Matriarchy to Patriarchy in most cultures is difficult to trace but Japan's long history of well logging historical events enables a greater understanding of the transition

[@ikissbass6969]

It was really surprising how women were treated back at that time. Forced to live in a cabin for 90 days after childbirth! I just...just can't imagine that. BTW Nice video

[@ArcaniaSkypirateDen9516]

I can actually imagine that.😅

[@dflaming1371]

Oh don't worry, woman or not, humans find ways to torture each other

[@Roshia_Cryo]

If this was still happening to this day I would hope the women can al least have entertainment like anime etc

[@Call-me-Al]

Sounds like a recipe for PPD

[@matildacarlstedt]

Thank you. Very important topic about the aspects of culture that, today, is or should be obsolete but sadly still prevalent. You did this topic just right. Thank you.

[@SergioLeonardoCornejo]

The most important part is the approach. Instead of vilifying the culture, he explains why it is obsolete, and benefits no one's interests.

[@matildacarlstedt]

@@SergioLeonardoCornejo exactly! He did it with a lot of empathy and thoughtfulness (if that’s a word). I really enjoyed listening to everything and it makes you think about all cultures (and religions) with similar patterns.

[@lizawinslow4773]

I really appreciate you addressing ALL social issues in Japan. ☺️💗

[@chellybub]

Wow very interesting topic Shogo. I'm proud of you for once again choosing the hard hitting topics. Well done!💜

[@timothygormley1305]

You combine cultural insight with a friendly, clear and informed delivery. This was a difficult topic, as it relates to a sin against our fellow humans common in many cultures (in the West, original sin originates with Eve).

[@yarikyaryi]

Better this than body positive and femenism, just like other SJW that leads country to death.

[@sifisomabjaia4496]

That is sadly a falsehood that most us find ourselves believing. But the Bible is very clear that original sin came from Adam, not Eve

[@JMObyx]

@@sifisomabjaia4496 No, the original Sin came from Satan himself, who fell from his high position by tempting the first humans to begin with.

[@saintnicole3209]

the superstitions of the past surrounding the story of adam and eve have unfortunately carried on to the present day, even though now we know the real story of how the world came to be and that the creation story of the bible is simply a myth that humans of the time created to explain their origins (they obviously didn't have the knowledge and technology that we have now) even most theologians will tell you that the creation story is a myth created by ancient peoples at the time (myth in the folk studies sense, not in the colloquial sense), and not the real history of the world. adam and eve never existed, but the misogynistic world views created by the adam and eve story are very very real.

[@ravaciousnoodle]

You really do give an unbiased view on Japan.

[@DhrithionVocals]

as an Indian woman ( specifically hindu ), we also have this problem where sometimes women aren't allowed to enter temples while being on their period ( and some temples restrict women altogether )

[@trusfrated4645]

Same. Muslims can't pray when in this state because they are going through a lot of pain not because they are impure but the society portrays it as impure and that periods shouldn't be discussed openly when there is literally nothing to hide about them.

[@snehakolli8853]

There are certain temples that you can go to even when you are on your period.. There is also a temple where men are not allowed to go... There is also a temple which is for transgenders..

[@Call-me-Al]

@@snehakolli8853 Hijra temple?

[@sumiben5211]

@@trusfrated4645 I must disagree with you here because you Quran states clearly that in chapter 2 verse 222 “They ask thee concerning women's courses. Say: They are a hurt and a pollution: So keep away from women in their courses, and do not approach them until they are clean. But when they have purified themselves, ye may approach them in any manner, time, or place ordained for you by Allah. For Allah loves those who turn to Him constantly and He loves those who keep themselves pure and clean.” Therefore , it is normal that Muslims get this image of periods as something impure and dirty.

[@chikiexx6587]

In Pakistan to idk whyy

[@silivrengamer]

Your channel should be used in classrooms as a culture resource when language learning. Culture is too often forgotten when learning how to speak to another person in their native language.

[@s-a-r-a-h]

I think part of this fear might also stem from the ancient idea that women had powers over life and death and therefore were a threat to male authority

[@Lost_Scarf]

Exactly.

[@SannyPanda]

Absolutely, since the continuation of the species hinges on them. The give life and make sure that humanity does not die out.

[@vsperatos]

Bingo

[@kimberlypatton9634]

Thank you for your reasonableness and ability to see things in such a logical and down to earth ways .Some superstitions and traditions are NOT beneficial to a society.They may have had some basis or "reason " in the past due to ignorance,but keeping them in today's world is harmful.Freat video,Shogo...I admire your backbone in exposing these topics.

[@KD-zj4ye]

The Buddha never restricted women from doing anything when they were on their period, and menstruating is considered a natural process in Buddhism. However, some Buddhist countries do impose restrictions, and it's more to do with the culture of the country than Buddhism itself

[@justjusy633]

Ignorance was and is the more dangerous weapon.

[@codex_jinora]

People like you give me hope for the future... You genuinely care about equality, happiness and sustainability for all. I wish there were more people like you, not just discussing the injustices in Japan but all over the world.

[@pierrehase]

It’s a great video. I fully agree with you. Traditions should not be kept if they do harm to other people. It is again a great video about Japanese history. I am glad that your channel has been recommended to me via the KZbin algorithm.

[@AlexisBii]

Interesting how similar these concepts are to some fundamentalist judeochristian beliefs - some pillars of patriarchal belief systems are the same regardless of religion, region, or language

[@VerhoevenSimon]

Thank you for not shying away from the more sensitive subjects

[@davidfromkyushu6870]

Speaking of the birthing cabins, an interesting one still stands at the Imperial Palace in Kyoto. The small outbuilding Mutsuhito, Emperor Meiji, was born in was never torn down despite being built to be disposable. It's on the east-west path near the Ishiyakushi-gomon.

[@kainslegacy78618]

I get the feeling the Buddha would have not approved his teachings to be used as an excuse to oppress people. (But, then, neither would have Jesus...)

[@Corgipon]

Amaterasu would never accept the notion of women associated with impurity either.

[@lonpeng]

Not celebrating or being happy after someones death is normal But getting restricted after childbirth or just being a woman is nonsense The newborn should be celeberated as gift/blessing from the heavens for giving a new life to start

[@kuroyamaevisekai]

It's honestly horrying to see many people were punished for things they couldn't control in many places. I heard in many places that bible prohibited men from being the same house as their wife when they were on their period. And even today, periods are considered taboo or something not to be discusses when men are around. ...which also leads to many men overreacting to periods or consider it sexual.

[@kuroyamaevisekai]

Also as turkish person, hearing that ancient japan was a woman-based society and but it changed later and led women to being oppressed certainly hurt me a litte. Women were seen important in old turkic nations too but nowadays, womanhood and feminity are looked down upon and femicide rates are very high.

[@Baka_Crazy]

It's extremely important that people should be well known about the period. The women's cycle is also an important task because the hormones are playing a role too. Before the period starts the estrogen hormones are sinking. That causes to bad mood, tiredness, exhaustion and sometimes the cramps are starting earlier. Even in the west people don't want to hear it. But it's so important! Because women need in my opinion a work plan for every part of the cycle to have a better life.

[@esayem7746]

Agreed. I remember when they talked to us about our periods in 4th grade, the boys were made to leave the room, further perpetuating that it was something we are to keep hush hush, and never spoken about around boys/men. This is how we keep the stigma that we are inherently dirty, alive.

[@js66613]

@@esayem7746 We were taken /out/ of the room instead of the boys, which also didn't help, since it ultimately did the same thing.

[@LadyCoyKoi]

@@esayem7746 May be because some families are smarter than others, but I recall watching videos of womens' menstruation cycles along with my male classmates. It wasn't just a girls thing, but something everyone should know about.

[@qwmx]

Also the periods themselves may not be the cause of the moods, BUT the DISCOMFORT which makes the female for irritable. Hormones may play a role, but for my end, I'm lethargic and I'm actually going to be pissed of if someone makes me do something physically strenuous when I'm suffering period pain.

[@Theorof]

So with this kegare idea, and since katana were also used to dedicate to shrines, would it have been forbidden for women to touch katana at that time? Also maybe related to naginata being considered a weapon for women, since the pole kept them from close contact with the blade?

[@LetsaskShogo]

That is a really interesting point of view that I've never thought about before...! But so far I've never heard of women not being allowed to touch katana, I believe they were often responsible of taking care of her husband/father's katana when he returns home...

[@Dokkaebi365]

Thank you so much for you channel! It covered so many interesting historical aspects and how they relate to modern practice, which I greatly enjoy. I would love to see one on the early and present-day roles of women specifically in Shintoism as well! ☺️

[@melancholycollie1466]

Of all the things I love about Japan on the surface, the more I learn, Japan appears to have many shadows. The fantasy of living in Japan for Westerners, is mostly tourism and adventure, a break from what we know. The more I learn, the darker Japanese culture becomes. Not to say Japan is a terrible place, just many things I didn't realise that are so different to where I live.

[@matthewmammothswine4395]

I’m from america and I’ve lived in Japan for 6 years. Couldn’t pay me to leave. Safest most beautiful place to live in the world 👍

[@matthewmammothswine4395]

@Elleon Mor Safe for eveyone, but you can feel how you want I guess.

[@ncrest4365]

@@matthewmammothswine4395 "safe for everyone" is such an irresponsible statement, considering you don't live other people's lives. Japan literally let loose a cannibal who ate a woman and become famous for his crime.

[@matthewmammothswine4395]

@@ncrest4365 "Japan literally let loose a cannibal" alrighty, I see where this conversation has gone. Strait into the bin.

[@moniqueloomis9772]

@@matthewmammothswine4395 Sure, Jay Weeboo. 🙄

[@PaleHorseShabuShabu]

My wife is a doctor of emergency medicine and got PISSED when she heard about the woman at the sumo match being told to leave.

[@unabresnan5560]

Here in Ireland, the Roman Catholic Church also had the idea that after childbirth that the mother could not attend her child's christing as she was seen as 'unclean' & needed to be 'churched' (a blessing to clean them from the priest after the birth but well after the child christing)

[@julianalubocka5376]

We had the same rule here in Slovakia.

[@tempestsonata1102]

@@julianalubocka5376 Gosh, neighbour, I had no idea! Now I'm shocked. I'm Catholic and I have lived in Hungary most of my life, but I have never heard of anything like this so close to my homeland.

[@Waldemarvonanhalt]

I think that might be a practice from pre-Christian Ireland. It can't be found in any rubrics.

[@unabresnan5560]

@@Waldemarvonanhalt First time I hearing that this is a pre-christian practice. Any idea where in Pagan Ireland it comes from?

[@Waldemarvonanhalt]

@@unabresnan5560 Just a guess, because like I said, it's not something prescribed by any rubrics I know of. It might even be a liturgical abuse, given the theological implications of observing the practice.

[@_Cramon]

Hello from Michigan! My girlfriend and I love your videos! Always so informational. 👍🏻

[@ArcaniaSkypirateDen9516]

And his videos easy to understand for the most part.

[@Zakuru12]

When Shogo doesn't smile, its for real now.

[@saucyplebeian7901]

This was incredibly informative! Thank you for covering this topic!

[@stratovolcano7813]

I love the range of topics you discuss on your channel. Many of your videos have practical guides that people can use to appreciate the culture today while also discussing the culture and history around it to be more informed of everything that japan is.

[@LetsaskShogo]

▼Who is Shogo? What is this channel about?▼ kzbin.info/www/bejne/pJmokqB-m9-sr8k ▼Related videos in this channel▼ -Why is Japan One of the Countries with the BIGGEST Gender Gap? kzbin.info/www/bejne/pKHJcqaea9dmosU -How Japanese People Came to Hate Religions kzbin.info/www/bejne/rHvQiImNeMmHj9E -Why Do Japanese Insist on Calling Themselves "Non-religious"? kzbin.info/www/bejne/naOTmauBr9N_iqM ▼MY DREAM▼ kzbin.info/www/bejne/e5jSqHyMlNCUnaM “To make every Japan lovers’ dream come true, by making Japan a more secure, comfortable, and safer place for everyone to visit, study, and live in” I will be using the profit I gain from this channel at restaurants, hotels, and cultural facilities in Kyoto to introduce them. The more you watch the videos on this channel, Kyoto and Japan will become a more exciting place, and you can support your own and others’ dreams in the future even more. ▼Join our Membership▼ kzbin.info/door/n7DCb9ttrcw9h3vh9dfnVwjoin ●Membership benefits -Limited behind-the-scene videos kzbin.info/aero/UUMOn7DCb9ttrcw9h3vh9dfnVw -Weekly live stream -Priority reply to comments Every single yen we earn from this membership, we will be donating to groups of people who are fighting to solve social problems in Japan, the Japanese schools where foreign students can study, or use it to spread the works of people working with traditional culture in Japan to preserve the arts they are doing. ▼[Sub-channel] “Shogo’s Podcast”▼ kzbin.info/door/ZAe1VayWxp5NLO4Net78DA Please subscribe!! The perfect channel to learn about Japanese culture and history in your spare time, during your walk to school or work, and when you are cooking or doing house chores. Not only will I be covering the topics in this main channel, but also some topics that you will only be able to enjoy in the sub-channel, like answering questions I receive, and my opinions towards some of the comments. ▼[Listen to the real voices of the Japanese] "Voices from Japan series"▼ kzbin.info/aero/PLpIWoYf9KNFXxLyeQa85jDudDKqkwPg-2 ▼[Places recommended to visit in Kyoto] "Kyoto Hidden Gems" series▼ kzbin.info/aero/PLpIWoYf9KNFU7LIIFB0P_reDt_oMdkCOq ▼Instagram▼ instagram.com/lets_ask_shogo/ *Please ask me questions through the DM here!（⚠️I do not use e-mail）

[@nearly_blind1017]

The throwback to the birth-video… Harumi is sooo strong! And I was so flattened to the ground by the fact you two shared this process so openly on the internet.

[@StarMercurian]

Thank you so much for this video Shogo!This is why you'll always be successful as you have a righteous heart as you have no issue educating people on history but you always set things straight!Your wife is so lucky to have you!

[@kawaiibrittanii]

I have never heard of any of this, this is both enlightening and disturbing as a foreign woman who wants to visit Japan in the future and wants to visit all the shrines and hike the mountains... Thank you Shogo for sharing your research, I really like how you presented such a difficult and serious topic.

[@terryenby2304]

I am SO glad your daughters and wife have you in their life!

[@kennithdupree7534]

Thank you for this information shogo-san.

[@larryking8074]

Thank you for covering such delicate subjects. I admire your courage.

[@MariaLisseth]

Shogo, nice content, now I understand more about women's period in Japan. To add, recently it has been a campaign to abolish the "embarrassment" of using sanitary period products, for example going to the pharmacy and bye napkins. One of the advocates of this is former idol Wada Ayaka (from de group ANGERME アンジュルム)

[@Loughanson]

I salute you with a bow, please accept my respect all the way from Mexico. That's the mind and thoughts of a true man. Thank you very much for your videos, I like Japanese culture but with what I've learned with you, I like it even more. Arigatou gozaimashita.

[@CptMoralSupport]

I love all of your videos I learn so much when I’m browsing through your videos

[@annina134]

Very informative and interestin. Thank you Shogo. A very important topic too, I think.

[@Nyctophora]

Depressing, yet informative. Thank you for speaking out.

[@yungcashregister8587]

Super interesting but unfortunate :( thank you!

[@thiamhuatang1070]

Well done, Shogo-San. Very informative indeed.

[@Chichi-sl2mq]

This channel has grown so much. Because I remember you once thought of giving up. But man ....I'm happy this channel is still there and taking us through a deep dive of Japanese culture

[@MidoriKyun]

Great video, Shogo! I found your channel just recently, and it's not just perfect, but feel like a bless! I'm currently writing a novel with my own magical world, and I research for others countries to get inspiration. Your channel is a BIG HELP in this aspect, so I wanted to thank you! 🤗

[@hanin_gurl]

This is an extremely well written informational video. Thank you!

[@ThalesWell]

Another superb and professionally done presentation. Thanks Shogo for your diligent efforts. I wish everyone would understand that humans are just barely sophisticated apes, and none of our beliefs or traditions should be given the benefit of the doubt, all should be subject to a rigorous challenge of reason.

[@sharonbelcher9635]

Thank you so much for this video. I love learning about other cultures

[@oogboog_]

great video as usual

[@laurascalambrin9703]

Thank you very much! Very interesting, indeed!⭐

[@kdefensemartialarts8097]

Thank you for your videos.

[@0Zero0Chan]

I've been watching a lot of your videos lately. So much interesting information on Japanese culture. I've been in Japan once before, on a school trip. I am definitely going to Japan again sometime once the pandemic is over and I have saved up.

[@aninjaguardian]

Another great explanation Shogo. Keep it up, you'll have 1 million subs by the end of the year.

[@LeCassiopeia]

Very interesting topic. I enjoyed learning something new and the way you present the topic made me more curious. Keep going. :)

[@IKEMENOsakaman]

Love your video Shogo!

[@Kojin400]

I sense the Rise of your tone shogo, i can understand how you feel. im with you man👍

[@Flanclanman]

this is a really interesting topic !

[@The.Mr.JBiggs]

Thank you for this balanced view into your country's culture, I think there are several other cultures that also harbored these types of beliefs towards the ovulation cycle and child birth. I would love to hear Shogo give a historical and modern perspective on the subject of burakumin.

[@wasitawijayanti99]

yes, I remember the Oshin movie. she was being isolated when she gave birth her dauhgter in the cabin. she got hard bleeding and her baby didn't survive.

[@jvlog5349]

Thank you for sharing a interesting contents always!!!

[@williamkelly53]

Nicely done , Respect

[@CFelicianoCumbas]

His ideas on how to maintain culture are amazing.

[@gerardlehane7477]

Hi Shogo, I hope you are well and safe. I hope you get one million subscribers for your channel. I am one. Best wishes to you and your family. From Cork City Ireland 🇮🇪

[@milymaj]

Thank you for such a mature approach to tradition. It's really impressive. ❤🧡💛

[@TERRYBIGGENDEN]

These beliefs have been common in many cultures all over the world They continue to this day, even with women still having to live separately form others during menstruation. So Japan is just one of the cultures involved. Excellent presentation as usual. :-)

[@mandalorian2656]

So since the women moved to a cabin up to 90 days and had little contact with the others she had to take care of the baby alone in all this conditions?

[@princekrazie]

plox make more videos about Kojiki and Nihonshoki, it's actually really fun!

[@dustind4694]

This is the kind of content I really appreciate. Celebrating and studying culture and tradition does not mean being uncritical.

[@cheezbiscuit4140]

I'm always excited when I learn different culture's histories of cultural justification of misogyny. /s/maybe/ but seriously I love this stuff it's informative as heck.

[@tasesz666]

Love your work. All this knowledge i didn't have... keep it up! You seemed a bit under the weather in this video though. Make sure you get enough rest. :D

[@livewyr7227]

Excellent video

[@moonp123]

I think this tradition may well have originated from India where Buddhism came from. My mom had to live separately from the rest of her household when she was on her cycle (she was born in the 60s). I was shocked to learn that it was a thing and I believe it is still practiced unfortunately. Periods are painful enough I can’t imagine having to be isolated from my home and family on top of that. Also, its kind of ironic that women are considered impure when we literally worship Kali, a goddess who is supposed to be the embodiment of female strength and is necessary for the balance of the universe. Male gods are said to have taken the form of women and those forms are worshiped as well.

[@johndavis6119]

This regulatory attitude sounds more Confucius oriented than Buddhist. Didn’t Tokugawa use Confucius’s rules to govern?

[@karankawa1703]

Apparently this is a thing all over the world……..💀

[@FigurioToysAndCollectibles]

Idk why but whenever I’m attending Japanese lessons online and I open the KZbin app your videos are always recommended to me 😂

[@aymanachkaj3333]

actually, I find this topic intersting . Espesially when you compare it whith simular veiws in other cultures .

[@mikeday5776]

Well said.

[@whatthehell7975]

Before 4:21 everything is done in india too..but what you said after never heard of it...i like the information keep it up

[@DepoverS]

Your message regarding tradition is really something that's hard to get into the peoples heads, unfortunately.

[@raeleneosborne7801]

Especially one topics like this where it may not effect them directly so they might not have a decent education on how it works. I'm glad that Shogo covered it, not everyone would have thought to cover it. The treatment did seem similar to Old Testament bible passages. (had to be separated at least 7 days, eat separately, couldn't enter anywhere sacred till the end to offer a particular offering)