Sandakan Brothel No.8: Journey into the History of Lower-class Japanese Women: Journey into the History of Lower-class Japanese Women

by Yamazaki,Tomoko

• ISBN13: 9780765603531
• ISBN10: 0765603535
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 1998-09-30
• Publisher: Routledge

Summary

This is a pioneer work on karayuki-san, impoverished Japanese women sent abroad to work as prostitutes from the 1860s to the 1930s. Sandakan Brothel No.8 presents the life story of a former karayuki-san, Osaki, as related to the author. Persuaded as a child often to accept cleaning work in Sandakan, North Borneo, Osaki is soon forced into prostitution. Thousands of other young Japanese women shared a similar fate in the brothels that were established throughout Asia in conjunction with the expansion of Japanese business interests. In spite of her anger and revulsion, Osaki sends all her earnings home to improve the lot of her older brother, only to be rejected by him and his family upon her return to Japan. She is later rejected by her son, as well, who does not want his mother's social stigma to interfere with his prospects for marriage and work. Yamazaki views Osaki as the embodiment of the suffering experienced by all Japanese women, who have long been oppressed under the dual yoke of class and gender. This sad tale could not be more relevant for present times. It provides the historical and anthropological context for understanding the sexual exploitation of Asian women before and during the Pacific War and for the growing flesh trade in Southeast Asia and Japan today. Young women are being brought to Japan with the same false promises that enticed Osaki to Borneo eighty years ago.

Author Biography

Yamazaki Tomoko has published numerous books and articles documenting the modern history of lower-class Japanese women who have gone abroad and Asian women who have come to Japan. For three decades she has conducted a study group in Tokyo which provides a forum for research on women's history in the context of Japan's interaction with Asian countries Karen Colligan-Taylor is Professor of Japanese Studies and Women's Studies at the University of Alaska-Fairbanks

Table of Contents

Translator's Preface and Acknowledgments	ix	(4)
Translator's Introduction	xiii	(28)
Author's Foreword to the English Translation	xli
Chapter 1 A Prologue to the History of Women at the Lowest Level of Society	3	(15)
Chapter 2 A Chance Encounter--My First Trip to Amakusa	18	(11)
Chapter 3 My Attempts at a Second Trip	29	(3)
Chapter 4 Life with Osaki	32	(13)
Chapter 5 Osaki's Story--The Life of an Overseas Prostitute	45	(63)
Chapter 6 Many More Voiceless Voices	108	(8)
Chapter 7 Ofumi's Life	116	(18)
Chapter 8 Oshimo's Grave	134	(12)
Chapter 9 Okuni's Birthplace	146	(16)
Chapter 10 The Home of Gagnon Sana	162	(9)
Chapter 11 Farewell, Amakusa	171	(10)
Chapter 12 Epilogue--Karayuki-san and Modern Japan	181	(14)
Author's Afterword to the First Edition (1972)	195	(4)
Translator's Afterword	199	(7)
Maps	206-207	(1)
Sandakan Brothel No. 8, the Film, Two Photos	208	(1)
Index	209