tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8068873.post4146108421985752001..comments2024-03-20T19:40:58.078-05:00Comments on The OF Blog: Yuiko Takamura, Caged SlaveLarry Nolenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16001420558511460998noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8068873.post-83469821625555816022010-08-17T18:51:50.981-05:002010-08-17T18:51:50.981-05:00You and E.L. Fay are correct when you state that y...You and E.L. Fay are correct when you state that <i>yaoi</i> is more about Japanese women's relationships with Japanese men than it is about gay relationships that are even remotely realistic. I think it is a mixture of psychological projection and revenge fantasies. In a sense, I think the female identifies with the "top" in order to experience feelings of empowerment and dominance, but also sympathizes with the "bottom," who is usually the more emotionally vulnerable partner. The result is that it is a very cathartic form of escapism for Japanese women, especially since Japanese men are generally aloof and stereotypically very close with their emotions.Dave Cesaranohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01454928720043301400noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8068873.post-73842316826744302872010-08-16T04:55:13.150-05:002010-08-16T04:55:13.150-05:00Nah, I think I'll leave the squirrel yaoi to o...Nah, I think I'll leave the squirrel yaoi to other, more well-versed hands. But I suppose this has been a learning experience for me, seeing how thinly disguised this subgenre of literature seems to be.Larry Nolenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16001420558511460998noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8068873.post-6254929505139945462010-08-16T04:13:05.546-05:002010-08-16T04:13:05.546-05:00Does that mean we won't be seeing squirrel yao...Does that mean we won't be seeing squirrel yaoi?<br /><br />On a more serious note, yeah, it's a common trope in yaoi stories. The Japanese term is actually seme/uke (for the top/bottom sexual position, or as you pointed out, the dominant/submissive role).Charleshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02773038335190893557noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8068873.post-24728259519145965162010-08-15T09:19:58.150-05:002010-08-15T09:19:58.150-05:00Wow, and I thought I was branching out reading poe...Wow, and I thought I was branching out reading poetry...<br /><br />I think you've officially read everything under the sun; we need to find you a new hobby.Chad Hullhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17774092046594256969noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8068873.post-27329807418645823582010-08-14T17:16:36.922-05:002010-08-14T17:16:36.922-05:00Okay, I'll confess: I read a few yaoi mangas i...Okay, I'll confess: I read a few yaoi mangas in college. I had an anime-loving friend and she heartily recommended them. My reaction: meh.<br /><br />As a heterosexual female (though not Japanese) I guess I'm supposed to be in the target audience. Although granted, some of the couples <i>were</i> hot, I got very annoyed very quickly with the formulaic predictability and the unhealthy and even abusive relationship dynamics. I think you nailed it when you said that yaoi, despite centering on gay men, is actually about the dynamics between Japanese men and women. Yaoi relationships are rarely between equals – there's always one dominant partner and one submissive one. The action is almost always either fellatio (which straight women can do too) or anal sex in missionary position, which most resembles hetero intercourse. Overall, yaoi's portrayal of gay men is very stereotyped and I'd say it's really no different than girl-on-girl porn aimed at straight men.<br /><br />I know I sound critical but I'm not really against yaoi per se. I just think it really needs start taking into account the fact that it's members of a majority group (straight women) appropriating the sexuality of an oppressed group (gay/bisexual men) for their own consumption.Eileenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11058705381647529328noreply@blogger.com