Japan
A Japan onsen
As a country characterized by its combination of traditionalism and modernity, Japan has many examples of naturist thinking within its history and even today. Firstly, it is known that before the Meiji reforms, nudity was a normalized practice, and so it was common to see people semi-nude around the streets, and completely nude in public baths⁸. Following the Meiji restoration and its ambition to appeal to Western ideals, changes occurred, which led to nudity being deemed shameful. This era not only affected people’s attire; all types of art that portrayed nudity were censored, as even the slightest bit of it was considered offensive and had to be hidden from the public eye⁹.
Something that escaped the influences of the Western concept of ‘decency’ introduced during the Meiji era were the wide range of public baths that remain a part of Japanese culture today. There are different types of public baths in Japan, the most famous being the Sentō and the Onsen. What makes these places so remarkable is perhaps the fact that they are seen as part of community culture as places where one can socialize and relax, more than just places meant for cleansing. Both are normally inherently gendersegregated, although this can vary according to the prefecture. Especially for the Onsen, what makes them unique is their location in the middle of nature. They are normally surrounded by natural scenery and are built with volcanic rocks.
Undoubtedly, Japanese culture is full of rich experiences that align with naturist ideals. From historical practices that are no longer permitted, to those that seem to have a bright future, it is clear that Japanese people have always had a deep appreciation for not only their bodies but also their country and its natural beauty.
⁸Ju-Ling Lee. Clothing the Body, Dressing the Identity: the Case of the Japanese in Taiwan during the Colonial Period. Journal of Japanese Studies, Society for Japanese Studies, 2017, 43 (1), pp.31-64. ff10.1353/jjs.2017.0003ff. ffhal-02957034f
