Despite the fact that Japan is quite late in accepting LGBTQ+ rights, there are many mentions of LGBTQ+ people in its history. Shinu No Hafuri and Ama No Hafuri from the Nihon Shoki (mentioned in a previous post), is the first gay couple mentioned in Japanese literature. There are a couple of other homosexual relationships in other Japanese books, so today I thought I'd write about the transgender siblings from the Torikaebaya Monogatari (とりかえばや物語 ).
What is the Torikaebaya Monogatari?
Torikaebaya Monogatari, literally "If Only I Could Change Them Story", translated into English as The Changelings, is a Japanese tale from the late Heian Period, around 1168 to 1180 AD. The author is unknown.
What is the Story About?
The tale centers around two half-siblings, one born a boy, and one born a girl. The child born as a boy has feminine characteristics, and the child born as a girl has masculine characteristics. The boy is shy, diffident, and is skilled at the koto (a traditional stringed Japanese instrument), whereas his sister is confident, energetic, and skilled at the flute.
Their father, a high ranking officer, has to decide how to present his children to society. He decides that the princess will live as a prince, and the prince, a princess.
The father often becomes emotional, lamenting: "if only I could change them" (title drop!), wishing that his son were born a girl, and his daughter born a boy. The children experience many hardships, such as hiding their sexes from their spouses.
Japanese Laws Regarding Trans People
Although the father in the story managed to embrace his children's desire to identify as a different gender than the one assigned at birth, contemporary Japan lacks in similar empathy.
In Japan, a person can change their gender on the family registry if they meet the following requirements:
18 years or older
Not married
No children who are minors
No reproductive function
Genitalia similar in appearance to those of the sex after the change
These rules, such as the "fertility requirement" and "appearance requirement" are likely the most problematic requirements out of the five.
Last year, there was a court case regarding a trans woman who wanted to legally change her gender from male to female without undergoing surgery.
She won her case, and the court ruled that the "appearance requirement" was unconstitutional, and that she could change her gender on paper as well because she had hormone treatment which made her features more feminine.
Conclusion
Realizing that there are ancient texts like The Changelings that recognize the complexity of gender helps us recognize that diversity in gender identity has a rich and storied history that extends far beyond contemporary understandings. These ancient texts serve as a reminder that the concept of gender has been fluid and multifaceted throughout human history, challenging the notion of a strict binary understanding of gender that is often prevalent in modern societies.
Exploring such texts allows us to appreciate the nuances and variations in gender expression that have existed across different cultures and time periods. By delving into the narratives and perspectives presented in works like The Changelings, we gain insights into how individuals in the past navigated and understood gender diversity, shedding light on alternative ways of conceptualizing gender beyond the confines of traditional norms.
Moreover, the existence of ancient texts that acknowledge the complexity of gender serves as a testament to the enduring presence of diverse gender identities throughout human civilization. It underscores the fact that gender diversity is not a modern phenomenon but rather a fundamental aspect of human existence that has been acknowledged and embraced in various forms throughout history.
Sources
“Court Approves Trans Woman’s Gender Change without Surgery: The Asahi Shimbun: Breaking News, Japan News and Analysis.” The Asahi Shimbun, 10 July 2024, www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/15340300.
“Japan: Transgender Rights Progress as Court Rules Surgery Not Required for Legal Gender Change .” Amnesty International, 27 Oct. 2023, www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2023/10/japan-ruling-gender-surgery-lgbti-rights/.
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