This is the first time I’m hearing of this, but I’m not surprised.
The first two things that leap to mind are:
1. This would appeal to some Japanese men, even middle aged, because it harkens back to the (largely illusory) “Tenkoku” days of absolute power, when an elderly bushi could behave like this so long as he had the military power to compel obedience.
Over 90% of the people, of course, lived in jigoku, not tenkoku, but every sarariman seems to assume that he would have been among the privileged rather than the oppressed. (See “Peasants, Rebels, & Outcasts,” Mikiso Hane, Pantheon, 1982)
2. I think there is a special frisson to rebelling against the “foreign” influence of feminism, which seems to regard too great an age difference between lovers—or even spouses—as a foul perversion and a crime against the dignity of womankind.
The Japanese have a history that stretches back to Perry of being told that one or the other of their traditional practices is unacceptable and must stop. I wouldn’t be a bit surprised if there were a current of rebellion against this absolute prohibition on the traditional practice of elderly men having a young woman to comfort them as they descend into the grave.
My religion doesn’t allow for it, so please don’t assume that I am condoning it.
One of my Japanese business friends used to call that rasto spurto. Not speaking Japanese, I can not translate what that means (smile).
They are an amusing and curious bunch to gai-jins like me.
“on the traditional practice of elderly men having a young woman to comfort them as they descend into the grave.”
What, you think this behavior is exclusive to Japan?
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