Sexual Diversity in Asia is the first book of its kind to place sex acts in Asia at the forefront of historical investigation. The chapters explore the history of sodomy and other so-called transgressive sexual practices such as anal sex, same-sex erotic encounters, pederasty, bestiality, incest, transgenderism, and oral sex in East, Southeast and South Asia. Examining historical attitudes to sexuality in Asia from the perspectives of law and punishment, medicine, religion, morality and political culture, the contributors demonstrate the importance of a historically contextualised focus on diverse sexual acts and practices and show how these were perceived and represented at specific times and places. Experts in the field shed new light on the historical constitution of indigenous sexual morality, addressing such questions as: How was sexual behaviour influenced by religion and tradition? Which sexual practices were proscribed and punished and which were tolerated or even encouraged by society, community and religious faith? In what ways were sexual practices integrated into religious observance, medical practices and the maintenance of physical health?
Providing important new insights into the histories of sexual diversity in Asia, this book will be of interest to students and scholars of the history of gender and sexuality and Asian cultures more generally.