Wakashū
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Wakashū is a historical Japanese term indicating an adolescent boy, used particularly during the Edo period (1603–1867). Wakashū status was indicated by haircut.
Woodblock print by Ishikawa Toyonobu, c. 1740, showing two actors portraying a wakashū (left) and an adult man (right). Note the difference in hairstyle.
A wakashū (seated) and his female companion in elegant autumn surroundings. Note furisode sleeves worn by both. Suzuki Harunobu, polychrome woodblock print, c. 1770
Homosexuality in Japan
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Records of men who have sex with men in Japan date back to ancient times. Western scholars have identified these as evidence of homosexuality in Japan. Though these relations had existed in Japan for millennia, they became most apparent to scholars during the Tokugawa period. Historical practices identified by scholars as homosexual include shudō (衆道), wakashudō (若衆道) and nanshoku (男色).
Old Buddhist, by Utagawa Kuniyoshi. Note the exposed bare feet of the boy indicating the sexual demeanor while the brocade Kesa robe indicates the wealthy status of cleric.
Man and youth, Miyagawa Isshō, ca. 1750; Panel from a series of ten on a shunga-style painted hand scroll (kakemono-e); sumi, color and gofun on silk. Private collection. Note that the youth on the left is wearing a kimono whose style (furisode) and color was considered appropriate for adolescents of both sexes but not adult men, which along with the partially shaved pate denotes the boy's wakashū age status while the exposed bare feet indicates the purely sexual demeanor.
A wakashū (wearing headscarf) sneaks a kiss from a female prostitute behind his patron's back. Nishikawa Sukenobu, c. 1716–1735. Hand-colored print.