The purpose of this paper is to analyze the concept of obscenity in Japanese cultural history, thanks to a journey back in time explaining the reason why a novel (Lady Chatterley’s Lover), a movie (In the Realm of the Senses) and a manga (Misshitsu) have been indicted according to the article 175 of the Japanese Penal Code. Accused of immorality, these works have been the subject of a long and controversial trial which has promptly highlighted the ambiguity of Article 175 and put it to the attention of scholars and critics. What is actually obscene according to the Japanese law and what is not? What can be shown and what cannot? The second part of this paper, on the other hand, will focus on the concept of “censorship” in the manga market and on the various tricks set up by the authors to avoid it and on any other charge of immorality and obscenity.
La perversione è negli occhi di chi guarda: riflessioni sulla censura nel fumetto giapponese
Paolo La Marca
2020-01-01
Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to analyze the concept of obscenity in Japanese cultural history, thanks to a journey back in time explaining the reason why a novel (Lady Chatterley’s Lover), a movie (In the Realm of the Senses) and a manga (Misshitsu) have been indicted according to the article 175 of the Japanese Penal Code. Accused of immorality, these works have been the subject of a long and controversial trial which has promptly highlighted the ambiguity of Article 175 and put it to the attention of scholars and critics. What is actually obscene according to the Japanese law and what is not? What can be shown and what cannot? The second part of this paper, on the other hand, will focus on the concept of “censorship” in the manga market and on the various tricks set up by the authors to avoid it and on any other charge of immorality and obscenity.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
