An Ideal Penis for Men

Comparative study

on the ideas about the organs for sexual activities

in Histories of China and Japan

Sumiyo Umekawa
1. Introduction

This paper is a tentative study on the cultural factors observed in the

conceptions of body, especially of the male genital organs, in the histories in
China as well as in Japan.
Chinese sex manuals, known as Fangzhongshu (the Art of the Bedchamber)
has traditionally paid great attentions on the state of male sexual organ, which is
partly natural as the extant literature of the genre was apparently addressed to male
audience.1 Such attentiveness on the penis paradoxically reveals their scheme of
the ideal penis for men. As these concerns were fundamentally observed in the
literature of the Art of the Bedchamber, they were possibly ideal only in
technical terms, or for sexual activities. Yet, we start to wonder such phalli-centric
attitude contains certain cultural factors as well, especially when we compare
Chinese sex manuals with Japanese sex-related literature.
Being greatly influenced by traditions of Chinese sexual art, 2 Japanese

1
For the readership of the sexual art, see for instance, Sumiyo Umekawa, Sex and Immortality- A
Study of Chinese Sexual Activities for Better-Being, a PhD thesis presented to School of Oriental
and African Studies, London University, 2004. p.125, Footnote 443.
2
Early state of Japanese sexology was based on early tradition of the sexual art in China, which
were quoted in Tanba no Yasuyoris Ishinp . From the Muromachi period onward, there
were seemingly new arrivals of Chinese erotic literature composed after the Song, of which
 277

literature on sex, most of which were produced especially during the Edo period
(1603-1867), share several points concerning the penis with Chinese manuals of the
genre. The best instance should be the size of the organ, which could have been the
most concerned matter all over the world. Nonetheless, there are clear differences
in notions about the organ between these two countries, too. For instance, Japanese
care about what can be regarded as beauty of the phallus, on which Chinese pay no
attention. Certainly, the entry of beauty amongst the conditions of the ideal penis
cannot be technical reasons, nor for the sake of sexual activities. It should be
something to do with cultural causes.
In order to see cultural aspects underlying in the differences between two
countries, this paper examine the written statements about the penis first. We begin
with the brief investigation on Chinese articles, which is followed by the short
survey on Japanese documents. Then, we consider the ideas of masculinity or
phallocraticness in Chinese culture carried on the back of the concept of ideal
penis, in comparison with those in Japanese culture. It will be investigated

representative should be Sun Miaolun , of which compilation date would be

sometimes during the Ming. As for Ishinp, see Sugitachi Yoshikazu . 1991. Ishinp no
Denrai (Transmission of Prescriptions from Ishinp). Kyoto: Shibunkaku shuppan.
As for Sunn Miaolun and its impact in Japan, see Machi Senjyuro , Nihon ni Okeru
Bchsho to Sono Rekishi teki Hensen (Literature of the
Sexual Art in Japan and Their Historical Changes), in Dai Jyyon Kai Nicch Dent Igaku Gakujyutsu
Kjykai Tokyo TaikaiYsei, Nisen Nendai no Kenk to Chjyu no TameniKen Naiy Sh
2000
(The 14th Congress on Japanese and Chinese Traditional Medicine, Meeting at Tokyo ~ Nourishing
Life ~ For Health and Longevity for the 2000s). 1999 pp.55~70; Yamazaki Mituo , Sengoku
Bush no Yjykun (Instruction on Nourishing Life for Worriers during the Warring
States Period), Tokyo, Shinchsha, 2004. As for the introduction of and impact from the literature
of the later Chinese sexual art, see Umekawa Sumiyo , Bch Seiai Gih no Nicch
KryshiKki Bchsho ha Nihon ni Tutawattanoka
(The History between Japan and China on Sexual Techniques of the Art of the
BedchamberHave the Literature of the Later Tradition of the Sexual Art Been Transmitted to Japan?) . In
Tanaka Fumio and Terry Kleeman eds. Dkyo to Kysei Shis (Daoism and
Symbiotic Ideas). Tokyo. Kawade Shobo, 2009, pp.87-115.
278

through the following three features; 1. A devotional appreciation toward the

gigantic phallus; 2. A phallocentric approach for heterosexual activities with
slight on vagina; 3. Whereabouts of the responsibility for sexual pleasure. By so
doing, the paper will see the complexity of Chinese ideas of masculinity or
phallocraticness, and gender equivalence within the tradition of Chinese sexual
art.

2. Statements on the Penis in Chinese Sex Related Materials

Chinese sex manuals of which emergence cannot be later than the middle of
Warring States Periods3 have considerably long history. So far as I reckon, this
long tradition can be understood in two historical phases, by the end of the Tang
and from the Song onward.4 Although there are still plenty to argue for this
clarification, this paper will tentatively adopt this division for the convenience of
the following discussions. Thus, what this paper will call as the early art of the
bedchamber is the ideas and techniques observed in the documents compiled
before the end of the Tang dynasty, which was roughly understood in terms of
medicine by the current Chinese people. The later art of the bedchamber, on
the other hand, indicates those seen in materials written after the Song dynasty,
which was vaguely conceived as techniques for Daoism by contemporary

3
See for instance, He Jiajun and Zhang Weiming ed. 1982. Mawangdui Hanmu
(Mawangdui Han Tombs). Beijing: Wenwu chuban. pp. 6-7, p.10; Zhou Shirong .
1979. Tantan Mawangdui Sanhao Hanmu de Jiandu (Discussing
about epistles from Mawangdui no.3 Tomb). In Hunanxing Bowuguan ed.
Mawangdui Hanmu Yanjiu (Studies on Mawangdui Han Tombs). Changsha: Hunan
renmin chuban. pp. 338-339; Harper, Donald. 1997. Early Chinese Medical Literature---The
Mawangdui Manuscripts. London, New York: Kegan Paul International. pp. 4-5.
4
As for the conceptual shift on sexual art in Chinese history, see Umekawa, 2004, PhD thesis,
pp.20-37. As for the temporary clarification of the early and later traditions, see Umekawa,
2009, footnote 2 and 3. Also see Umekawa Sumiyo, The Birth of Aphrodisiacs The Value on
Sexual Pleasure in the Art of the Bedchamber after the Song dynasty, a paper presented at ICHS
2005 at Beijing, 24th, July, 2005a.
 279

Chinese people.5
In addition to sex manuals of both the early and later traditions, this section
will survey the accounts on the penis seen in several literary works, especially in
those called yanqing xiaoshuo in Chinese, Novels on Voluptuous
Feelings. This is because of the comparative purpose of this paper. Japanese
literature on sex, as we will see later, is not precisely the sex manuals in Chinese
way to talk about how to do sex. They usually contain two features of being a
guide for sexual life and an erotic reading for fun. Thus, comparison only between
such half manual and half entertaining articles with the literature of the Art of the
Bedchamber would not be very appropriate. It is because of the matters on
supposed audiences. The former was addressing to rather wide variation of people
from the commoners to dilettantes or experts on sex, while the latter was
supposedly written for the serious practitioners of the sexual art, though the

5
This generalization is based on the survey of bibliographic chapters in standard histories. The
first surviving reference to the sexual art can be found in the bibliographic chapter of the ,
which categorises the sexual art in a section of , altogether with the medical techniques
( and ) and those for the immortals (). The later bibliographies in the following
standard histories, such as the , and categorise the sexual art under the
section of medicine, although a section for in the first text states to involve thirteen
divisions of and thirty eight juan of texts. As pointed out by Douglas Wile, it is in the
that the sexual art became to be involved in Daoist section. As for the following standard
histories, I have used the collated and punctuated edition. . Compiled by (32-92 A.D.)
around 100 A.D. 1996. : . . . pp1776-1779. . Compiled by
(580-643) et al., in 636. 1973. :.,.. pp.1050-1051,
p.1091.. Compiled by (887-946), in 945. 1975. : . .
. p.2051.. Completed by (1007-1072), in 1060. 1975. : .
. . p.1570.. Compiled by (1313-1355), in 1345. 1977.: .
,, pp.5202-5313.Wile, Douglas.1992. Art of the Bedchamber---Chinese Sexual
Yoga Classics Including Womens Solo Meditation Texts. Albany: State University of New York
Press. p.24. Although most of the standard histories were complied in later periods, they reflect
the notion during the relevant dynasties to certain extent, as was the clarification of the sexual art
in the which corresponded with another bibliography composed during the Song dynasty.
See . Complied by (1104-1162), in 1161. 1935. : . . .
pp787-794.
280

literature should have enjoyed larger variety of readers.6 Therefore, taking the
expressions observed in Novels on Voluptuous Feelings into accounts would serve
us more common and popular view on the genital organ shared in China, in
addition to the expertised view we have from literature of the Art. It should be
noted, however, the number of stories examined in this paper is very limited7 and
therefore we cannot assume the outcome we have at the end of this section as more
than a clue.

6
, the preface of Tiandi Yinyang Jiaohuan Dalefu (The Heaven and
Earth, Yin and Yang Songs of Great Satisfaction in Sexual Pleasure ) suggests the circle of literati where
apparently Bai belonged had read certain sex manuals, like and . Also, one
part of this particular poem suggests the rather frequent and common use of sex manual for fun.
See for instance, Tiandi Yinyang Jiaohuan Dalefu (The Heaven and Earth,
Yin and Yang Songs of Great Satisfaction in Sexual Pleasure) In. Ye Dehui ed. Shuanmei jingan congshu
(The Collection of Shadow under Double Pram Trees), Changsha, 1914, p.1-2. Also see
Sumiyo Umekawa, Tiandi Yinyang Jiaohuang Dalefu in Comparison with Other Literature of
the Art of the Bedchamber. In Vivienne Lo and Christopher Cullen ed. Medieval Chinese
Medicine : The Dunhuang medical manuscripts. Routledge Curzon, London, 2003a, pp.253-77.
7
I have consulted with the following novels. Jinpingmei (The Golden Lotus), Chibozi Chuan
(Biography of Crazy Old Lady), compiled by Furong Furen and edited by
Qingchizi . Published as a series of Zhongguo Lidai Jinhui Xiaoshuo Hainaiwai Chenzeng
Miben Jicui , Vol.7 of the 1st Collection. Taibei,
Shuandi Guoji Shiwu Youxian Gongsi, 1994. ; Ruyiqun Cuan (Biography of The Lady Do
as She Wants to Do), compiled by Xu Changling . I have referred to the following
versions: 1) Zetian huanghou Ruyiqun Chuan , published by Tto Seihikaku
. Reprinted in Ota Tatsuo and Ida Yoshiro ed. Chgoku Hiseki Skan
(Collective Publication on Chinese Secret Books) 3 Vols., Tokyo, Kyko Shoin. 1987. 2) Tzoku
Nyoikun Den (The Vulgar Version of Biography of the Lady Do as She Wants to Do) with
Comments by Jijimusai Mouroku . In Ota Tatsuo and Ida Yoshiro ed. Chgoku
Hiseki Skan (Collective Publication on Chinese Secret Books) 3 Vols., Tokyo, Kyko
Shoin. 1987. Rouputun (Bedding of Flesh), edited by Qingchi Fanzheng Daoren
. Published as a series of Zhongguo Lidai Jinhui Xiaoshuo Hainaiwai Chenzeng Miben Jicui
, Vol.5 of the 2nd Collection. Taibei, Shuandi Guoji
Shiwu Youxian Gongsi, 1995., Cuichunfeng (Drank with Spring Wind), talked by Jiangzuo
Shuian . Published as a series of Zhongguo Lidai Jinhui Xiaoshuo Hainaiwai Chenzeng
Miben Jicui , Vol.5 of the 8th Collection. Taibei,
Shuandi Guoji Shiwu Youxian Gongsi, 1996.
 281

2-1. Concern on the Male Genital Organ Seen in the Early Literature of

the Art

The early literature of the sexual art is consisted of two groups of materials.
One is those excavated from Mawangdui in 1973 to become the earliest extant of
the genre,8 most of which were considered to have been composed before and
around the Qin dynasty.9 The other is those supposedly compiled by the end of the
Tang and quoted in Japanese Ishinp by Tanba no Yasuyori in
984.10 Although these two groups of materials share the certain underlying ideas
and techniques, here we see them one by one, due to the huge periodical gaps they

8
Consisted of Yangshengfang (Recipes for Nourishing Life), Zajingfang (Recipes for
Various Charms), Shiwen (Ten Questions), Heyinyang (Uniting Yin and Yang), and
Tianxiazhidaotan (Discourse on the Ultimate Way under Heaven) and Taichanshu
(Book of the Generation of the Fetus). Amongst these, Ten Questions, Uniting Yin and Yang, and
Discourse on the Ultimate Way under Heaven were especially concentrating on sexual art. See
for instance, Harper, Donald. 1997. pp. 4-5.
9
Although the dates of compositions about any texts found from Mawangdui remain uncertain,
scholars agree that outline of the texts might have been set by sometimes during Warring States
Periods(475-221 B.C.). He Jiajun and Zhang Weiming ed. 1982. Mawangdui
Hanmu (Mawangdui Han Tombs). Beijing: Wenwu chuban. pp. 6-7, p.10; Zhou
Shirong . 1979. Tantan Mawangdui Sanhao Hanmu de Jiandu
(Discussing about epistles from Mawangdui no.3 Tomb). In Hunanxing Bowuguan
ed. Mawangdui Hanmu Yanjiu (Studies on Mawangdui Han Tombs). Changsha:
Hunan renmin chuban. pp. 338-339; Harper, Donald. 1997. pp. 4-5.
10
Consisted of The Sunjing (The Classic of Plain Girl), Xuannjing (The Classic of
Dark Girl), Donxuanzi (Master Dongxuan), Yufang Mijue (Secrets of the Jade
Chamber), Yufang Zhiyao (Essentials of the Jade Chamber) , Beiji Qianjin Yaofang
(Priceless Prescriptions for Emergency) and etc. Until the rediscovery of Ishinp, most of
these sexual classics had been believed to be lost in China. These classics were reconstructed by
Ye Dehui in 1904 and collected in Shuangmei Jingan Congshu (Shadow
of the Double Plum Tree Collection). See the first chapters of following works. Sugitachi Yoshikazu
. 1991. Ishinp no Denrai (Transmission of Prescriptions from Ishinp).
Kyoto: Shibunkaku Shuppan.
282

apparently have.11
It would be Shiwen (Ten Questions) which stands as the best example for the
phalli-centric concern within the earliest extant of the sex manuals amongst
Mawangdui sex manuals. This material is consisted of ten didactic dialogs each
of which discusses the general topic concerning about the sexual art and a half of
the dialogues concern about the penis (see Table 1). The contents observed amongst
five questions can be summarized as follows; 1. about the cuisine to recover the
penis after the ejaculation (in Second Question), 2. about the causation, the prevention
and the treatment of the impotence (in Fifth Question on the one caused by aging and in Eighth

Question on the one because of the tiredness), 3. about the importance of phallic care(in the Sixth
Question), 4. about the methods to improve or to reform the genital organ(in the Seventh
Question).

Especially, one of the strongest concerns seen in this article is the decline of
the function of the penis which is usually earlier than those of the works of other
physical parts. For instance, the Seventh Question refers to the male sexual organ
with the expression as follows; the thing which is born together with the body but
declines faster than the body().12 Therefore, we can assume that
it is the maintenance of the male genital function as well as the methods for it,
rather than the improvement and reform of the penis, that Ten Questions pays
greater attentions.
On the other hand, it is the supplementary drugs for the sexual activities as
the art, rather than the texts themselves, that would show us the concerns on the
penis the best, in the case of the materials compiled before the end of the Tang and
quoted in Ishinp. For instance, the 28th juan of Ishinp entitled as Bnai

11
Texts quoted by Ishinp were seemingly composed by the end of the Tang dynasty, which is
evident in bibliographic records. See Umekawa, 2004. pp.20-37
12
Shiwen() I have referred to the following version; Mawangdui hanmu boshu zhengli xiaozu
ed. Mawangdui Hanmu Boshu (Manuscripts from
Mawangdui Han Tombs). Beijing: Wenwu chuban. 1985. Vol.4. p.149.
 283

introduces 39 remedies to support sexual activities.13 Amongst them, 24 recipes

were for the use of men, whereas the remaining 15 are for women (See Table 2). 5
drugs for ladies are to shrink the size of vagina, 6 are to treat or to soften the pain at
losing virginity, and remaining 4 are for the bad health conditions due to the
excessive sex.14
Meanwhile, most remedies for male are for the well or better being of the
penis, with two exceptions.15 The efficacies proposed by 22 drugs for the penis can
be condensed as following three aspects; 1. to cure the impotence, 2. to make it
enable to have sex with multiple partners a night or to impregnate women
continuously at old age, by means of increasing the vigor and energy, 3. to improve
or reform the condition of the penis. Especially, that ten remedies which take up
nearly half of the total recipes advocate the first effectiveness shows the strong
anxiety toward the impotence.
As for the third effect, we can also find the eight drugs which is one third of
the total 24 remedies. What is supposedly improved or reformed through such
remedies is as follows; 1)the thickness, 2) the length, 3) the hardness, and 4)what
can be called as the impetus or the strength at the erection. Especially, we can see
that the first two features of the thickness and the length apparently gain particular
interests of people from the fact that there is a subordinate chapter in 28th juan of
Ishinp, which is entitled as Gyokkei Sh Dai Nijy Nana (The 27th

13
For this, see Umekawa, 2005a, and Umekawa Sumiyo , Biyaku-Chgoku Seigih ni
okeru Shoku (AphrodisiacsDiet in Chinese Sexual Techniques). In
Suzuki Akihito , Ishizuka Hisaro ed. Shokuji no GihShintai Ibunnka Ron4
4(Techniques for FoodEssays on Body, Medicine and Literature 4). Tokyo.
Keio Gijyuku Diagaku Shuppankai. 2005b pp93-216.
14
Ishinp 28th juan(I refer to transcriptions of Asakuraya edition. Reprinted in 1955. Beijing: Renmin
weisheng chuban.)pp.656-657.
15
Remedy 20 is a sort of caution not to put near to the penis, whereas the following remedy 21 is a
drug to weaken the excessively strong penis. See Table 2, as well as Ishinp, 28th Juan.
pp652-656.
284

Subordinate Chapter on the Small Penis).

16
Of course, this small section shows the interest
held by Tanba no Yasuyori rather than by Chinese people. However, it still tells us
that there were enough remedies existed for Tanba to set up this special section on
the methods to do something for small penis.

2-2. Concern on the Male Genital Organ Observed in the Later

Literature of the Sexual Art

It is also through the supplementary drugs which can be understood in terms

of aphrodisiacs in broad sense (for which, see Table 3 and 4) to follow the evaluation on
peoples concern on the penis amongst the materials of later tradition of the sexual
art. We can observe several characteristics in the drugs for the use of sexual
activities emerged in the later tradition in comparison with those in the early
tradition.17 What matters at the moment, however, should be the following three
points; 1. the increase number of drugs for the use of female, 2. the emergence of
aphrodisiacs in narrow sense including drugs to improve the sexual pleasure, to
promote the physical sensitivity and to make a person fall in love or feel rust, 3. the
ramification of effectiveness promised by medicines for the use of male, or more
precisely to say, for the use of male genital organ.18
The effect condensed in the second feature of the above mentioned summary,
namely the one to increase the vigor and energy is, for instance, divided into
several categories and differentiated one by one, as follows; 1. the permanence or
the maintenance of the coitus, 2. the endurance to avoid ejaculation which we can
probably name something like anti-ejaculativeness, 3. the maintenance of the
erection, 4. the increase number of having sex and etc. Such notion can be

16
Ishinp, 28th Juan. pp.655-656.
17
As for this, see Umekawa, 2005a and b.
18
ibid.
 285

understood as the growth or increase of the anticipation toward the function or the
work of the male genital organ. Along with such high concern on the penis itself,
the improvement and the reform of the organ still keep comparatively strong
concerns. Yet, the points to matter does not show any change from the thickness,
the length, the hardness and the strength.
As for the first two characteristics seen in the supplementary drugs of the
later tradition, these are linked with each other. The drugs for the use of female
increased its number dramatically in comparison with those in earlier tradition.
However, many medicines are for the use of promoting physical sensitivity, of
increasing the sexual pleasure or even of making a lady open her legs
immediately. Therefore, we can say that the later tradition started to regard things
like that female also feel sexual pleasure. It, however, still does not really care
about the female genital organ, as there is not much differences on effectiveness
gained from remedies focusing on vagina, between the early and the later tradition.
They mainly shrink female vagina, although there is one recipe to widen the vagina
which is too small for the penis to insert.19 Thus, even though the aphrodisiacs in
the later tradition started to realize the existence of female during the sexual
activities, or that sexual activity was indeed an act between the male and the female,
they still neglected the being of vagina. Or it would be more appropriate to say that
they were too phalli-centric to notice that female vagina have more variation than
being in the need to be shrink or not.

2-3. Short Summary on Male Genital Organ Observed in Chinese Sex

19
**()
286

Manuals

To say briefly, we can sum as follows. 1) It is the male penis amongst other
genital organs that the literature of the sexual art in China paid greatest attention. 2)
It is about the matters of impotence which is concerned the most amongst any other
issues concerning the penis. 3) The permanence or the maintenance of the erection,
or the coitus as well as the endurance from ejaculations is also highly concerned. 4)
It is the thickness and the length the reform or the improvement of the organ tend
to do something on. 5) It is always the width when female vagina matters and
narrow and small vagina like the one girls or virgins would have is seemingly
valued.
Most of these points can be understood in relation with the nature of the
literature of the sexual art. As for the first four points, that the sex manuals in China
was fundamentally addressing to the male audience would be deeply related.
These concerns observed in manuals should have reflected the real concerns held
by ancient men to some extent. Also, the high concern on the permanence,
maintenance of the erection and coitus including the feature not to ejaculate should
be related with some underlying ideas of the Art of the Bedchamber. Such interests
are especially linked with the view to see the orgasm as the timing to produce, or
discharge the highest quality of qi from the human body. This is why one of the
important techniques for the sexual art is to obtain the highest quality of qi at the
female orgasm while preserving the highest quality of qi of male self, by sustaining
him from his orgasm.20 Under these circumstances, the permanence of the erection
or the coitus would have been needed, to some extent, in order to bring female to
her climax. Meanwhile, the ability of not to ejaculate was required to protect his
own best qi.
There are, however, some inconsistency against the concepts of Chinese

20
As for the orgasm and qi, see Umekawa, 2004. pp.115-147.
 287

sexual art. For instance, the improvement or the reform of the penis mentioned as
the fourth point is one of the matters which had gained great attention from the
earliest examples. However, the Art of the Bedchamber fundamentally claims that
the size, length and so forth do not matter only if a man knows the righteous way to
have sex.21 This in turn declares people care about the goodness or badness of the
penis because they do not possess the appropriate sexual techniques, or more
plainly, they do not know the Art. As the potential readers of sex manuals would
have been supposedly know the techniques and the art, they had, in theory, no
need to worry about the state of their own penis. Thus, there is no need for
manuals to introduce the methods to improve or reform the penis. Still, as we have
already seen, this has been the matter which could have been gaining very keen
interests of potential readers.
By the way, it should be noted that the fifth point is not a matter for modern
feminism ideas should challenge against. I do not deny the possibility that the small
vagina could have been dreamed of from the point of view of male pleasure, but it
is a matter related much more with other underlying ideas of the sexual art, rather
than such patriarchal selfish prejudice against women. Indeed, especially in the
early tradition of the art, male sexual pleasure which would be lead to male orgasm
is not what the art seeks for. On the contrary, it is something one should rather
avoid. It is the idea of qi which connects with this fifth point of female vagina,
which is supposed to reach its max or fullest amount around boys first ejaculation
and girls first menstruation.22 As these occur during the period in which the

21

, . Ishinp. 28th juan. fangnei. pp.637-638.
Also see Umekawa, 2004, pp.123-130.
22
See for instance, Sakade Yoshinobu . 2001. (Ki no
Shizenkan/Seimeikan), The Ideas of Qi in Nature/ The life. (Chgoku Bunka Kenky,
The Study of Chinese Culture) . The initial number. Kyoto: Chgoku bunka Kenkykai. pp2-6.p4;
Umekawa, pp.52-66
288

secondary sex characteristic start to appear, any quality for women related with this
particular period was valued.23

2-4. Statements on Male Genital Organ Observed in Novels on

Voluptuous Feelings

As I have already confessed, I have consulted with very limited novels this
time and therefore the following observation of mine cannot be standardized. Yet,
so far as I have aware from reading these limited but famous erotic stories, it is
overwhelmingly about the penis that we can find the statements concerning genital
organs. Indeed, I can find only a couple of mentions about female genital organs as
follows; 1. about the general explanation about the structure of female genital
organ (seen in Chibozi Chuan ), 2. about the very big and wide vagina(seen in Chibozi
Chuan and Ruyiqun Chuan ), and 3. about the condition of pubic hair (seen in Ruyiqun

Chuan and Cui Chunfeng ). Amongst these three, the second point to which I will
return later interestingly concerns about the size of female genital organ, just
like the case for the penis. And indeed, it is again the size of the penis which
usually gains the greatest attention amongst these stories, when the male organ is
mentioned.
For instance, Chibozi Chuan is a sort of sexual life history of a lady until she
was divorced by her husband. She sometimes recalls men with whom she had
relations and what came back to her memories most vividly was apparently the size
of their organs. Interestingly enough, she explains the characteristics of the penis in
terms of comparison with those of others. For instance, she remembers her first

23
For this, see Sakade Yoshinobu and Umekawa Sumiyo , Ki no Shis
karamiru Dky no BchjyutsuIma ni Ikiru Kodai Chgoku no Seiai Chjyuh
(Daoist Art of the
Bedchamber from the Ideas of Qi---Ancient Chinese Sexual Methods for Longevity Living Today). Tokyo.
Goy Shob. 2003b. pp/???; Umekawa, 2003a.
 289

affair with her father-in-law and says that the penis of the father in law makes that
of Datu its elder brother, that of Yinglang its younger brother and that of the
husband its equal().24 It means that the penis
of her father in law is smaller than Datus but larger than Yinglangs and almost the
same as his own son, i.e. her husbands. It shows that the heroin remembers the
volume of the penis not because it was the large or small. It was rather because it
was the size what matters the most for her during the sexual affairs.
We have another instance for the reminiscence of male penises in Ruyiqun
Cuhan, which depicts the sexual life of declining years of Zetian Wuhou
.25 She recalls the conditions of male sexual organ of the partners with whom
she had relations and tells her last consolation, Bi Aozao . Although she
does not compare each organs in a manner the heroin of Chibozi Chuan does, her
description on the penis is much more complicated appraisal in a way. For instance,
she cares about expansion of the penis26 and the ability or potential to bring her
sexual pleasure27 which includes the maintenance or the permanent of the coitus,28

24
Chibozi Chuan. p.88
25
I have referred to two versons for this novel. One is reprinted by with Japanese
translation by Jijimusai Mouroku (presumed as Yamaguchi teruo , Tzoku
Nyoikun Den .)
()
()
()
()
()

.pp.120-124. Chinese version goes as follows;



. p.36
26
; . P.36
27
For instance, she does not value the penis of the emperor Taizong because of the pain she had at
her losing virginity and looks down the organ of the emperor Gaozong because of his premature
290

in addition to the size.

There are two instances which would show us the uniqueness about depiction
on the penis in this novel the most. First instance is her statement about the
emperor Gaozongs penis, which goes as follows; The emperor Gaozongs one was
not the one for disposal because it enlarged greatly, the edge of the glans stays up
high, and its pole maintains warmth and softness.29 But he was not good at
upholding his pleasure. He tended to give ejaculation prematurely after twenty
times of insertions which permitted Zetian Wuhou to feel pleasure only twice.30
In addition to the points of her own pleasure as well as the maintenance or
permanence of the coitus, she cares about the position of the glans and the feeling
of the pole. As she constantly cares about the degree, or number of times of her
pleasure, the height of glans and the touch of the pole might have been related with,
or at least considered to be related with female sexual pleasure.
The other interesting example is the statement concerning the penis of the
monk Huaiyi . His is explained as follows; At the beginning his was soft, but
became longer, bigger, harder and hotter inside the vagina.31 What matters here is

ejaculation which only gave her chances to feel sexual pleasure twice during the coitus. P.36.
28
In the case of Changzong and Yizhi brothers, it was the problems with restoration of energy as
well as maintenance of the coitus. Once ejaculated, theirs would never erect again. Or
sometimes theirs wither during the actions of insertion and withdrawal. P.36.
29
. P.120.
For this, I refer to Japanese version, as Chinese version seemingly did not mention about the
warmth and etc. As Chinese version seemingly do not mention about this, this part could have
been invented by Japanese.
30
() p.120. This part
could have also been invented by Japanese as we do not have twenty insertions and etc. in
Chinese version. Yet, these two instances in the above note in 29 and this note in 30 still does
not to fail to show the empresss detailed descriptions on the male penis in Chinese novels,
though rather exaggerated ways to fit for Japanese taste.
31
Japanese version goes as follows; ()
p.120. Chinese version goes as follows;
. P36.
 291

completely different from what we have seen so far, as it is not about the size,
maintenance, permanence, or the height or the touch of some parts of the organ. It
is rather a function or the circumstance of the organ during the coitus, than a stable
condition of the penis before the insertion. And apparently his penis was valued
because of its alteration inside the vagina. As we will see later, what is explained
here is extremely similar with what Japanese called Fu mara , the penis of
Fu, a food made of gulten, which is hard when it is dry but becomes soft when it is
wet. Meanwhile Japanese put extreme value on this type of penis as we will see,
Chinese apparently did not pay such alteration during the coitus much attention,
though they knew that this kind would be very valuable. This assumption is
because of the fact that this statement about the monk Huaiyi is the only one case I
have found so far about such type of penis. At least, such nature of transformation
was clearly less valued than the size.
Indeed, such extreme concern on the largeness and the length of the penis
seemingly start to form a sort of belief in the gigantic penis amongst Chinese
novels of this genre. For instance, the neighboring young wife in Chibozi Chuan,
who explains about the heterosexual sex to the heroin, says as follows; With the
small and short one will never see the pleasure of it (=sex), therefore, it should
definitely be the one with hugeness and length, rising high and enlarging that fills
well.32. In short, she says without the big, long penis with great erection, no penis
can make female feel good. This statement is made as an opinion, or at least,
alleged opinion, from female point of view, but we can find the synonymous
judgments from male side everywhere. Indeed, the soul seeking for the gigantic
penis which enables every women sexually satisfied makes the hero of Rouputun
, Wei Yangsheng , to transplant the erected penis of a dog.33

32
. Chibozi Chuan,
p.64
33
Rouputun, p.106.
292

Rouputun somehow tells us why Chinese men were still eager to reform their
penis after attaining the techniques and knowledge of the sexual art like
Fangzhongshu. As I have pointed out, the size of the male organ would not matter
in theory. The hero of this novel, Wei Yangsheng had learned a certain sexual
technique from a monk. I am not sure if it was supposed to be the Fangzhongshu,
or a sort of Neitan for the double practice between man and woman, or a sort
of Buddhist sexual techniques like Tantric ones. Yet, he had attained certain secrets
of sexual art from a monk. Then, he further evaluates his knowledge on the genre,
especially in relation with the theory to become the transcendent immortal through
the sex, under the communication with a man called Cai Kunlun . This
person mentions that even though one has sexual techniques, one would not make
use of his technique with poor penis, which eventually makes it difficult to
accomplish the great ambition like becoming the transcendent. This theory makes
Wei, the hero, mad to obtain the gigantic penis. In short, this explanation tells us
that sexual technique may be enough to make female sexually satisfied, but may
not enough to bring about the greater purpose. Or it rather shows us the technique
would be adequate for ordinary men, but only the technique would not be enough
for serious practitioners of the sexual art.
Finally, it is worth mentioning that there is hardly any statement about female
vagina. If any, they are about one of the three; about the structure of female genital
organ(), about the condition of pubic hair(), about the huge
vagina(). Amongst these, the third one should be specially noted, as
it shows us that the female with huge or wide vagina is not necessarily regarded as
bad, despite the fact traditional literature of the sexual art had concerned to
shrink the size of vagina. Especially in the case of Ruyiqun Chuan, the woman
with the huge vagina is super noble lady, namely Zetian Wuhou. The empress is not
only noble but she is actually depicted saintly. She is a sort of goddess who saves a
poor young man with gigantic penis who has kept his virginity because of the
 293

hugeness of his organ which cannot be accepted by any women other her, and gives
him humanly pleasure of sex.34

3. Statements on the Penis in Japanese Sex Related Materials.

The history of Japanese materials related with sexual affairs may have started
with the 28th juan of Ishinp by Tanba no Yasuyori in 984. As it was a
collection of Chinese literature of the sexual art compiled by the end of the Tang,
Japanese ideas and techniques of the genre can be said to have emerged under the
strong influence from early Chinese tradition of the art of the bedchamber. Indeed,
written documents concerning about sex show us that Japanese had been following
the early tradition of the sexual art as a part of medical theories until the early Edo
period. 35 There were, however, seemingly arrivals of new trend of the sex
sometimes around the beginning of Edo era, which apparently triggered the rise of
erotic writings, along with the development of Ukiyoe erotic drawings.36
We have numerous number of materials related with sexual affairs produced
since Edo period. Some were in a form of stories, whereas others were attached
onto or written within erotic drawings. Some were produced purely for fun, while
others were created as guides for sexual activities. Some had rather academic
attitude toward the activities, whereas others had rather empirical approach to the
subject. Amongst these varieties of articles, here, we will refer to materials which
had certain notions of being a guidebook for sexual affairs, as these articles
exemplify rather chaotic conditions of Japanese erotic world at that time very

34
For instance, Japanese version goes
(p.93) and
(p.120).
Chinese version goes
(p22-23) and (p.36).
35
See Machi, 1999, Umekawa, 2009.
36
See Umekawa, 2009.
294

well.37 We can observe traditional ideas on sex, which came from early tradition of
Chinese sexual art, newly arrived ideas which indicate ideas and techniques of the
later tradition of the Chinese art introduced at the start of Edo period, Western ideas
which were transmitted mainly through what was called Rangaku , the study
on Dutch throughout Edo era, and Japanese original conceptions. It should be
emphasized for the purpose of this paper that there were definitely traces of

37
The list of articles I have consulted are as follows; Shshin Engi/ Ningen Rakuji
(Story on Training Body/ Enjoyable Thins for Human World), composed sometimes during Genna
to Kanei eras (1615-42). I have referred to the version published from Taihei Shooku. Tokyo.
1992; Bonnai Sho (A Book Inside the Chamber), composed sometimes during Kanei
era(1624-42). I have referred to the version Hanasaki Kazuo Sakuya Konohana
(Is This Flower Going to Bloom?). Taihei Shooku. Tokyo. 1999; Narihira Tawamuregusa
(Playing Weed by Narihira), also known as Bnaiky Tawamuregusa (Playing Weed of a
Sutra Inside the Chamber). This version. 3rd year of Kanmon era (1663). I have referred to a
version published by Kinsei Fuzoku Kenkyukai, 1976.; Kshoku Kinm Zuyi
(Picturesque Collection of the Lecture for the Ignorant on Loving Colour), with pictures drawn by
Yoshida Hanbei , published in the 3rd year of Jyokyo(1686) , Kshoku Kaiawase
(Matching Shells for the Loving Colour) and Jinrin Itokuzu (Lint of Human Moral),
sequels of the Kinm Zuyi, alo by Yoshida Hanbei, 4th year of Jyokyo(1687) For all three texts, I
have referred to an edition in Richard Rain ed. Genroku no Erosu vol.5. Gabund,
1979. ; Hanka Reikin Wakai (Japanese Explanation on Fanhua Lijin). Compiled by
Chenchuzi , commented by Kiwami Sukebei , Published in 5th year of Anei (1776),
I have referred to the version published by Taihei Shooku, Tokyo, 1998.; Bid Nichiya Jyoh Ki
(The Record of Female Treasure for Day and Night on Coquettish Way) compiled by
Tukioka Seppen sometimes around Horeki to Tenmei era (1751-86). I have referred to
the version started with sayings of Kaisei , Senban Sakk , Chsei Hkei ,
and Keiho . ; Hyakunin Isshu Shokushi Bako (A Box of Wiping Papers to Come
out Once by a Hundred of People), compiled sometimes around Anei era (around 1773). I have
referred to the version involved in Hayashi Yoshikazu ed. Enbish (Collection of Coquettish
Beauty). 1937. ; Keich Kibun (Pocket Pillow Books for Sentences within the
Bedchamber). 4 vols. By Keisai Eisen , compiled during the Kansei to Tenp
era(1790-1840). I have referred to a reprinted versions with a explanation book by Hayashi
Yoshikazu.; Shikid Kinbish (Abandoned and Secret Notes on Way of Colours). By
Tokakusai Sensei in the fifth year of Tenp(1834). I have referred to modern reprint
by Amatoria sha, Tokyo, firstly in 1954, this edition in 1973. ; Danjyo Kykun Hana no Arika
(The Smell of Flowers for Crazy Lecture for Man and Woman) compiled in the first
year of Genji (1864). I have referred to the version published by Taihei Shooku, Tokyo, 1996.
 295

Chinese early tradition of sexual art, as well as those of later tradition amongst
these Japanese materials. These Chinese concepts were indeed one of the
underlying frameworks for the total conceptions of Japanese Edo erotic world.
Looking over Japanese sex related materials, it is instantly noticeable that
Japanese interests on genital organs went two ways. One is the view going down to
details and to internal parts, whereas the other is the attention paid onto the
variation. Also, we cannot miss the very strong concern onto female vagina.
Indeed, Japanese interests on the variety of female vagina which are fundamentally
observed in their settlement of certain criteria for assessment of organs, evolve two
different theories; the theory of three jades within the vagina and the theory to
judge the condition of vagina through female appearance. In contrast to such
zealous attentiveness onto female vagina, there is much less concern for male penis.
Only prominent characteristic is the existence of several different criteria for
appraisals of male genital organs, as a correspondence to assessment of female
ones. Yet, it is such appraisals that reveal the Japanese uniqueness in contrast with
Chinese ideas of ideal penis.
Let us see two ways of interest quickly. Japanese tendency to see object in
details might be well exemplified and known through Shunga , the erotic
38
drawings of Edo period (Fig.1). When it comes to genital organs including male
penis, however, it is not only the details that Japanese concerned, but also the
internal parts. For instance, Fig.2 is an image of male penis within the vagina,
and the attached title says the top of the penis is about to be swallowed by the
womb.39 I personally agree with Timon Screechs assumption which proposes
such detailed description of Japanese Shunga was partly because of the current
popularity of Dutch Study, which increased scientific and analytical point of

38
Makura Bunko. Vol. 2. 15 a-b. (p.16-17)
39
Makura Bunko vol.1 17a (p.18)
296

view amongst Japanese.40 So far as Japanese sex manuals during the Edo period
would concern, there were certainly scientific and analytical attitude toward
sexual organs.
As for the appraisals of male genital organ, Table 1 is the brief summary of
several criteria or assessments on the penis. The male genital organs are usually
valued amongst 9 ranks consisted of the above, the middle and the below each of
which are subdivided into the above, the middle and the below. The valuation
amongst 9 levels obviously came from Chinese political system of Han dynasty, 41
and for some reasons, the number of variation for the penis does not have much
latitude and usually stays between 9 and ten, though assessments for female vagina
vary from three rankings to 24 levels.42
As shown in Table 5, several characteristics can be observed amongst what
Japanese matters or concerns, which can be roughly summarized as follows; Firstly,
Japanese did not really hold belief in gigantic penis and they had rather negative
standpoint toward too huge penis. We have to be aware, however, that there
should have existed certain trends or tendencies to value gigantic penis amongst
society, which is contradictory backed up by the strong disapproval against the idea
seen in the manuals. It may be noteworthy that this tendency against the gigantic
penis can be also understood from another fact that some types of organ that

40
Screech, Timon. Shunga---Katate de Yomu Edo no E
(Shunga--Pictures of Edo Period to read with One Hand). Kodansha Mechie. Tokyo. 1998. pp.193-216.
41
As for the nine divisions which was originated in Chinese political system, see for instance,
Tagashira Toshimitsu . Kybon Kaishaku no Hensen ni tsuite
(About Interpretations for Nine Levels). In. Tetsugaku (The Journal of Hiroshima
Philosophical Society) vol.53, 2001. pp.171-183; Kusano Yasushi . Gishin no Kybon
Kanjinh (Method for Officials of Nine Levels during the Wei and Xin
Dynasties). In Fukuoka Daigaku Jinbun Rons (Collections of Essays on
Humanities of Fukuoka University). Vol.27-no.3,1995, pp,1615-1655.
42
For instance, in Tgen Kad (The Grot with Flowers of Peach Origin) by Ry Sanjin
, sometimes during the 8th to 9th year of Showa Era, i.e. 1933 to 1934. See Akita Masami
. Nyoin K (Think Vagina),Out Shob. Tokyo. 1999. p19
 297

might be generally approved are contradictory disregarded. For instance, the

thick penis and the long penis were not very much valued by Japanese, in
contrast to Chinese concern on the size including the largeness and length.
Especially the long penis was dealt as an unwilling object for female, as it is said
to harm women if a man use [the long penis] actively.43
Secondly, Japanese rather concerned the situation or condition of the penis
during the coitus than that before the insertion. It does not indicate that they do not
care the state of the organ before the coitus. Indeed, they do very much as you can
see in Table 5. This second feature only points out that it is yet the condition during
the coitus which differentiates the better from the good, or the best from the better,
especially when they evaluate the organs of high rankings. We have already seen
the similar point of view in the case of Ruyiqun Chuan of China, but the magnitude
of importance is quite different. Japanese valued this particular point much more
than Chinese did.
Thirdly, there can be seen a very strong depreciation for phimosis, which
probably includes false one as well. So far as I reckon, there was no statement
concerning phimosis amongst Chinese materials, no matter whether it is the
literature of the art or the erotic novels. In the case of Japanese articles, however,
phimotic penis almost always placed at the worst position in the judgment.
Sometimes, it was disgraced because the phimotic one would shrink once inserted
in the jade gate, whereas it would erect up once pulled out from [the jade gate],44

43
. Comments for a penis clarified as Ch
(Long) of Ku Dgu no Ch (Comments on Nine Tools) in Bid Nichiya Jyohki. p.13a.
For another instance, Hyakunin Isshu Shokushi Bako also mentions about the penis under the
category of long in Ykei no Ben (Opinions on Yang Stalk) and says
([the long penis] would kill women through sex. Awful.). Hyakunin Isshu
Shokushi Bako, p.31b(p.41).
44
Kshoku Tabimakura (Travel Pillow of Loving Colours).
. For this, I have referred to Shunroan Shujin ,Edo no
Shikid Shinansho no Keifu (Lineage of Guiding Manuals for Way of
298

in which case what really matters is seemingly the conditions of the organ during
the penis rather than if it is phimotic or not. However, in most cases, this type of
penis was disparaged because of the tastelessness45 during the coitus. In one
material, the phimosis is looked down by saying it would be still better than
Harigata , an artificial fake penis for the female use at the masturbation. 46
Under these circumstances, the reason of low grading for phimotic penis is yet its
condition during the coitus. At least, this distaste against this type of organ suggests
that there was a belief that phimotic penis would not work well during the
intercourse and would not give female pleasure.
Finally, there are several criteria that are apparently nothing to do with the
function or work during the intercourse. These criteria, such as the colour of the
organ, seemingly only matter in terms of appearance, but often have importance
in the valuation. For instance, the iron penis which indicates the one with dark
colour is placed fifth amongst ten rankings in Hyakunin Isshu Shokushi Bako
, whereas the white one is put under the iron one at the sixth, by
saying although it looks good, it does not have a taste.47 Even though the colour
in this case was discussed in relation with taste, appraisals for the penis
apparently concern the looks or appearance of the organ quite deeply. For
instance, Kshoku Tabimakura (Travelling Pillow of Loving Colours) begins to
state for the middle rank penis as follows; the figure of the middle rank penis is as
such. The shape is similar to that of the above rank penis, this one is longer by five
fun.48 The figure or the shape mentioned in this instance refer to the
attached pictures and therefore concern for the figure or the shape would

Colours during the Edo Period). Ybunkan Chuppan. Osaka. 1998, p.75
45
(Tasteless for each other). Bid Nichiya Jyohki. p.13a
46
Hyakunin Isshu Shokushi Bako. p.32a(p.41).
47
. Hyakunin Isshu Shokushi Bako. p.32a(p.41).
48
. Edo no
Shikid Shinansho no Keifu, 1998, p.74
 299

supposedly be for the sake of readers to judge by glance in reality.

Yet, the color, shape, figure and etc. obviously play much greater roles in
comparison with the case in Chinese attention onto the same genital organ. These
concern being seen in assessments for the penis, Japanese might have cared about
the beauty of the organ in addition to its function and work during the
activities. It would be probable especially when we remind ourselves the following
two things. Firstly, such assessments are very often attached with drawings of the
organs, theoretically for the convenience of readers. Secondly, as I have briefly
pointed out, the literature of the erotic affairs during the Edo period was developed
along with the progress of erotic pictures. The ideal penis for Japanese required
people to count on beauty as well.
In addition, the following two points should be mentioned as specific features
observed in Japanese concerns on the male genital organs. Firstly, there were
several sayings which insisted the size of the organ does not matter for the
goodness or badness of the coitus, just like the surface insistence observed in the
ideas of Chinese sexual art. These slogans are almost always related with special
techniques, often called as jyutsu (The Art) or hijyutsu (Secret Art) in
Japanese sex manuals.49 To us, this Secret Art certainly indicates Chinese sexual
art preserved and transmitted in several medical texts like Ishinp or those
introduced through several different mediums. Indeed, some sex manuals
apparently designate traditional sexual art by this term Secret Art. However, the
concept of the existence of the Secret Art on sex seemingly have been considered
to be rather fantasy to many Edo people, including both the composers and
audiences. In other words, they knew that there were some people talking about the

49
For instance, the earliest example I have referred so far, namely Bnnai Sho often shows the
terms Jiyutsuhou meaning Art and Techniques, Hijiyutsu meaning
the Secret Art and etc. Sakuya Konohana, 1999, p.32, 38, 39. For other instances, Narihira
Tawamuregusa. Lower volume. p.1a. Bid Nichiya Jyohki. p.13a. Also see Edo no Shikid
Shinansho no Keifu, 1998,p.53
300

existence of Secret Art on sex, and many of them had vague ideas that foreign
people, like Dutch and Chinese, had special techniques of sexual affairs. But they
did not know particular person who really practiced the art, or what kind of
techniques there were as secret art. So, the existence of Secret Art which would
make the size of the penis not matter at all was a mere rumor for most of Edo
Japanese.
Second point to be noted is the idea of affinity or compatibility between male
and female genital organs. The basic ideas of ranking the genital organ is claimed
to help people to have better sexual affairs by mating a suitable partner with
appropriate organ to fit. This is particularly evident in the statements for the
Jykai (Above Open, the Best Vagina) and Gekai (Below Open, the Worst
Vagina) in Kshoku Kinm Zui (Picturesque Collection of the Lecture for the

Ignorant on Loving Colour). This text says about the Best Vagina which would fit both
for the big and small penis, just like water fills both within a square and a round
receptables.50 It indicates what Japanese regarded as best vagina is the one
which suites with variety of penis regardless of the size. On the other hand, the
Best Penis would not necessarily fit every vagina. According to this article, the best
penis is about the five cun long, the top quality one should be four cun long.
However, the Worst Vagina which would not achieve the sexual pleasure even with
the gigantic penis with seven to eight sun or cun long with the best techniques of
the Secret Art.51 It indicates the following two things. The Best Penis would
apparently the one which could fit with different types of vagina. Nonetheless, the

50

. Edo no Shikid Shinansho no Keifu, 1998, p.50
51




. Shikid Shinansho no Keifu, 1998, p.53-4
 301

Worst Vagina is only one sort which could not be satisfied by Best Penis. Under
these circumstances, the goodness or the badness of the organs can be rather
mendable through the coupling of the vagina and the penis.
Probably because of such rather open understandings on the idealness of the
penis, Japanese people did not urge themselves to improve their own organ. They
had enough byroads for them not to mend their natural penis. They need a woman
with Best Vagina rather than ideal penis.

4. Chinese Idea of Ideal Penis

Finally, we will investigate Chinese ideas of ideal penis in comparison with

Japanese ideas through the following three points; 1)the most required feature for
the penis, 2) approach for heterosexual activities, and 3) who takes the
responsibility for sexual pleasure.
In comparison with Japanese ideas of ideal penis, Chinese obviously had
stronger appreciation toward the giganticness of the phallus. There were of
course certain admiration for the bigger penis in Japan, as Ariwara no Narihira
, the famous Heian poet with active sexual affairs with various women, who
allegedly had gigantic penis often appears in Edo sex manuals with strong
respect.52 Yet, as we have already seen, giganticness is not the quality required

52
This would be best exemplified by the existence of a text named after him, Narihira
Tawamuregusa. This old text named after Ariwara no Narihira, however, reveals that this
person did not have particularly gigantic penis, by saying that
(
) Narihira Tawamuregusa. Lower volume. p.16a. Also, its possible prototype, Bonnai Sho
also does not really mention the hugeness of Narihira, while it rather emphasizing that he had
mastered secret art of sex. Sakuya Konohana, 1999, p.32. However, the his fame in being
excellent at sexual affairs altered into his legend of having a gigantic penis and Kshoku Kinm
Zuyi, for instance, shows the idea of him with gigantic penis, by saying
. Edo no Shikid Shinansho no
Keifu, 1998, p.53. Danjyo Kykun Hanano Arika also mentions about the hugeness of
Narihiras penis, by saying that the length around his penis was 7 cun long. Danjyo Kykun
Hana no Arika. p.87.
302

most by Japanese for their ideal penis. In fact, too bigness is not very
preferable.
On the other hand, for Chinese, they care about the size most, which would
have been resulted in their belief in the larger the better, or the excellence in the
gigantic penis. Of course, too big organ could have been a subject of jealous for
men, which might have lead to the episode of Bi Aozao who had never been able to
experience human pleasure via sexual activity until his encounter with the
empress Zewutian, because of hugeness of his organ.53 This episode may reveal
sort of envious feelings of common men against the holder of gigantic penis, at
the same time, however, a kind of relieved emotions of them not to have the
oversized penis which cannot be used for most ladies. Therefore, we can assume
that there had not necessarily been atmosphere to admire the gigantic penis freely.
Yet, the gigantic penis beyond our imagination like Bi Aozaos one, surely
earned reverence and esteem, in addition to being an ideal state of the male genital
organ. Oversizeness of the penis is seemingly treated as a kind of stigma, the sign
of holiness, numinousness or at least extraordinariness. It is a symbol to single out
its holder as a person who can match with noble or exceptional lady, like the
empress. In this sense, Chinese high regard toward the gigantic penis could not
only be as the ideal for their organs, but also as the status of exceptionalness or
specialness.
On our second point of the approach for the sexual activities, Chinese idea of
sexual affairs was seemingly very phallocentric. Their scarce attentions on the state
of vagina show us that they do not really care the goodness or badness of the
female organ, at least not in details as Japanese do. Chinese do care the female
vagina as a part of human body, of course. This is evident from the existence of
various names for spots internal and external of the organ, as seen in Ishinip.54

53
Ruyiqun Chuan, Japanese version, p.93, 120, Chinese version, pp22-3, p.36. See above note 34.
54
Probably the following study is the best presentation on the vaginal terms appeared in Ishinp.
 303

But they never discuss that the achievability of male and female orgasm would
differ in accordance with the situation, state or faculties of vagina, nor about
appearance, color, or smell of the organ. Some may say, in rather feministic way,
that Chinese would never have dreamed of female organ having such high
probability to influence on pleasure level during the sexual activities. They might
have disregarded female ability on sexual affairs under the strong male centric
federal society.
I would, however, rather understand such strong unevenness between the
concern on male organ and that on females one in accordance with underlying
ideas of the extant Art of the Bedchamber prepared for male audiences. So far as I
reckon, extant manuals for the Chinese sexual art regard male practitioners as a
conductor of the intercourse, whereas female partner as the prime mover. It is
almost always female needs or requirements which should be given priority, but it
is almost always man who is charged with expediting the proceedings of the
intercourse. In other words, a woman is a guest whereas a man is a host of the
sexual affairs, in which it is male who carries all the fortune and misfortune, and
merit and demerit during the coitus, especially when it comes to a matter of
pleasure.55 Even when a man would not have enjoyed the sexual affair as much as
he would have expected, it is him who should be blamed. In the case of Japanese,
in contrast, it is very different. If the coitus would not be good as one had expected,
one can blame, for instance, the female partner not having three jades within the

Umayabara Shigeo ed. Ishinp Kan Nijyhachi Bnai Kunaich Shorybu zhon
(Prescriptions from the Heart of Medicine Volume Twenty Eight
Inside Chamber, Edition Stored at Book Centre in Imperial Household Agency) . Commented by Ishihara
Akira . Tokyo. Shibund. 1967. p. 267, pp. 264-266. See also Umekawa, 2004,pp189-212.
55
It is, as well known, not the case when it comes to a matter of the quantity or quality of qi
obtainable through sexual activities. There are strong distinction between good and bad female
for sexual partner in accordance with certain criteria, who are, however, concerned strictly in
connection of qi, but not with beauty or sexual pleasure. See for instance, Umekawa, 2003a, 2004,
pp.148-162.
304

organ, or not having the Best Vagina which would fit almost every type of the penis.
Or even a lady can criticize her male partner for his phimotic penis or as having too
fat penis for her. For Japanese, it is more like the matter of matching, or couplet of
pair of organs rather than male solo organ or guidance during the coitus, which
matters for sexual pleasure.
The same tendencies can be seen when we look at some technical points. As
having been pointed out, the permanence or the maintenance of the erection or the
coitus, which includes the endurance from ejaculations or the recovery after the
ejaculations, is highly concerned in Chinese sex manuals. Therefore, we can find
several methods to prolong the coitus by avoiding the ejaculation or those for the
possible swift recovery.56 Since the underlying primal intention of the sexual art is
to bring female partner to her sexual climax so that a male practitioner would have
gain the best and large amount of qi, their emphasis on the long or repeated coitus
should be related, or at least believed to be related with female state of orgasm. In
this sense, techniques for avoiding ejaculation, prolonging the period of erection
and so forth are means for female orgasm.
Having great influences from Chinese sex manuals of the early and later
traditions, Japanese sex manual also introduces several synonymous methods for

56
For instance, the pressure onto the lower belly as well as the perineum is often mentioned as a
technique to avoid ejaculation. Also, some aphrodisiacs which claim the efficacy to have sex
with several different women a night may suggest the swift recovery from the ejaculation,
although it would only indicate a permanence of the erection. See for instance Mawangdui
Shiwen, p.149. This text mentions about which seemingly indicate a sort of ejaculation
control technique through certain pressure on the lower part of male body. See for instance,
Harper,Donald. 1997. p.402; Ma Jixing , Mawangdui Guyishu Kaoshi
(Interpretations for Ancient Medical Manuscripts from Mawangdui). Hunan: Hunan kexue jishu chuban.
1992. p.527, p.937; Wei Qipeng and Hu Xianghua ed. Mawangdui Hanmu Yishu
Jiaoshi (Commentaries on Medical Manuscripts from Mawangdui Han Tombs).
Chengdu: ChengdUchban. 1992. p.117. Also, Beiji Qianjin Yaofan. 27th juan. fangzhong buyi.
p.489.
 305

the permanence of the affairs.57 However, Japanese do not rely on the penis to
increase female level of sexual pleasure, exclusively. For instance, Bid Nichiya
Jyohki (The Record of Female Treasure for Day and Night on Coquettish Way)

introduces Inmyaku no H (A method for Yin vein), which is indeed a

technique to fumble female vagina as seen in figure 3. 58 We can often find
statements about anmo at the stage of foreplay in Chinese sex manuals,59
which may include techniques like this method for yin vein. Yet, there is no
mention on how to anmo in Chinese manuals, so far as I know. Such lack of
detailed statements in Chinese manuals and such existence of comprehensive
guidance in Japanese articles for finger techniques during the sexual affair could be
another evidence for Chinese phallocentric attitude toward heterosexual intercourse.
When it comes to a problem of leading female to her sexual satisfaction, Chinese
could not but value the ability and the power of the penis, whereas Japanese tended
to seek for the alternatives.
Above two points can be all together condensed into a matter who takes the
responsibility for sexual pleasure. As well known, the extant literature of the sexual
art usually promises benefits for men, like better health and the attainment of
transcendent-hood, but hardly for women.60 This is why modern scholars often

57
See for instance, mentions about (Jiyutsu wo Motte Sei wo
Kaesu Koto) which indicates Huangjing Bunao , and (Nine times shallow and
once deep) techniques in Narihira Tawamuregusa. Lower volume. pp. 1a-2b, 15b-16a. Also,
Bonnai Sho mentions about ten sort of efficacies obtainable through restriction of ejaculation,
which is very similar to what is known as Shidong in Mawangdui and Ishinp texts for
ejaculation control. Sakuya Konohana, 1999, pp.63-65.
58
Bid Nichiya Jyohki, Inmyaku no H (The Methods for the Yin vein). p.10a.
59
For instance, one of the earliest extant for massage during the foreplay can be found in the
following Mawangdui text, Heyinyang , Mawangdui hanmu boshu zhengli xiaozu
ed. Mawangdui Hanmu Boshu (Manuscripts from Mawangdui
Han Tombs). Beijing: Wenwu chuban. 1985. Vol.4.. p.156.
60
A few exceptions can be seen in the techniques for eight sexual positioning known as bayi
in Ishinp. Ishinp. 28th juan. fangnei. p. 642. See also Umekawa, 2004, pp163-173.
306

criticize the art of the bedchamber from a standpoint of feminism.61 But such male
centric patriarchal scheme could be inversed when we consider the very same
techniques in a view of pleasure principle. When it comes to a matter of sexual
pleasure, man is the donor who provides sexual satisfaction for woman. It does not
mean that men would not have any pleasure through sexual affairs. They certainly
do to some extent. The point is, however, it is usually by women that sexual
fulfillment is better enjoyed. Also, female sexual pleasure is not what they try to
achieve by themselves but what is supplied by men. This conception can be also
proved, in rather extreme way, by Ruyiqun Chuan as well, in which Bi Aozao was
favored or appreciated most because he was the one who could give the greatest
and fullest satisfaction for the empress Zewutian. In a sense, a man holds the fullest
responsibility for female sexual pleasure.
It is not the case for Japanese at all. As their repeated concern on establishing
the assessments for male and female genital organs have shown, sexual satisfaction
for them is an outcome of good match of the pair of vagina and the penis.
Moreover, achieving sexual climax would not be as important or desperate as that
of female was for Chinese. Japanese seemingly have much more relaxed attitude
toward orgasm. To have or not to have sexual fulfillment should be something not
more than fortune for them, which they would have if they have luck. As one
article states such assessments are just for the some assistance for those who like
sexual affairs62 assuming a woman (or a man) has or has not a valuable organ and
seeing if one has the eyes for matters concerning about sexual affairs could have
been parts of the ideas of Iki for Edo people. Trying on different women (or men),
or whether one can have sexual satisfaction should be nothing less than gambling

61
For instance, Furth, Charlotte. 1994. Rethinking Van Gulik: Sexuality and Reproduction in
Traditional Chinese Medicine. In Christina K. Gilmartin et al. ed. Engendering ChinaWomen,
Culture, and the State. Cambridge, Massachusetts, London: Harvard University Press. pp124-146
62
. Hyakunin Isshu Shokushi Bako. p.32.
 307

to enjoy for them. Therefore, for Japanese, the responsibility for sexual pleasure
was shared by man and woman, and never been shouldered exclusively by man.
Under these circumstances, it can be said that good sexual intercourse which
provides female sexual fulfillment could not have been a matrix for Japanese to
judge manliness, but it was indeed the most important aspect for Chinese ideas of
male masculinity. Therefore, male genital organ which Chinese considered the
most important function related with female orgasm, except for their individual
techniques in the intercourse,63 naturally represents how mannish the person is.
As all the responsibility for whether or not female can be sexually satisfied is
burdened on the shoulder of, indeed the penis of male, and because Chinese had
been too manly ever to blame the goodness or badness of female organ, their ideal
penis should be good enough to match even with the large and wide vagina.
Then, the larger the penis is, the more able the holder of the penis would be in
terms of sexual masculinity. Thus, Chinese adoration for gigantic penis was
because it is the ideal penis for them, which symbolizes the outstanding
manliness to be able to burden all the responsibility for the sexual satisfaction for
every woman.

Table 1Summary of Shiwen(Ten Questions) from Mawangdui

Contents of Question Contents of Question
1 About the emergence and growth of every beings 6 About the importance of care for the penis
2 About the diet to recover the penis 7 About the methods to improve and reform the
penis
3 About the technique to control the ejaculation 8 About the impotence because of the tiredness
4 About the breathing methods and the sexual art 9 About the food and drink to strengthen the vigor
5 About the impotence because of the aging 10 About the eating method and the sexual art

63
It should be noted that the existence of the art of the bedchamber had been much familiar to
Chinese people than we would assume now. The sexual art should have been popular or well
known at least to certain extent in which some ideas of the sexual art had deeply penetrated
within Chinese conceptions. For instance, general funny story comparing American idea of
enjoyable sex and Chinese idea of enjoyable sex would suggest, ejaculation during the coitus
is not something undesirable for most non-Chinese people, which is, however, still something not
very preferable even for modern Chinese men.
308
Table 2 Aphrodisiacs Seen in Twenty Eighth juan Fangnei in Ishinp

no Name of Aphrodisiacs Usage Efficacies

1 Internal use to strengthen a man, to avoid tiredness due to the
(Internal use) activities in the chamber room, to avoid the decline of the
potency of qi () and appearance
2 Internal use To cure the following situation of the penis; shrunk and
with alcohol not to erect, not being large, not being long, not getting
() hot, not getting hard, lack of permanence, lack of
jing(), being thin and cold
3 Internal use To cure the impotence and not being strong
4 Internal use To cure the impotence and not being strong
5 Internal use To enable a man to have sexual intercourse ten times
successively a night
6 Tuji San Internal use to cure five tiredness and seven injuries(64), and
with alcohol impotence
(Powders of bald rooster) /
Tuji wan

(Pill of bald rooster
7 Lujiao san Internal use To cure five tiredness and seven injuries, impotence, to
become shrunk during the sexual intercourse, urination
(Powders of deer horn problem
8 Kaixin shuyu shenqi wan Internal use, to heal five tiredness and seven injuries, lack of appetite,
manufactured poor circulation at the tip of body, loss of sexual desire as
( Pill of yam for Opening with if one were an elderly man
heart and for qi of kidney) honey()
9 Roucongrong wan Internal use, to cure five tiredness and seven injuries of long term,
manufactured impotence, urination disorder and problems. To
(Pill of cistanche with honey improve the power of qi.
deserticola
10 Yuanzhi wan Internal use To cure five tiredness and seven injuries, and impotence

(Pill of Polygala tenuifolia
Willd.
11 Yiduo san Internal use to improve and strengthen the power of qi, to straighten
with the back, turn grey hairs into black, make the face
(Powder of benefit alcohol or lustrous, to enable a man rejuvenate
increasing used as an
ointment
()
12 Internal use To make [the activities] within the chamber room normal
with alcohol and doubled, improve jing, and make the penis erected
with the size and heat
13 Internal use To cure male impotence and female blockage of vagina
with alcohol (65)
14 Internal use To cure incapability of erection at the sexual intercourse

64
In general, wulao indicates five sort of tiredness, while qishang does situations and
symptoms on body and mind caused by seven sort of emotions in Chinese medicine. However,
these indication might have been something different in the context of the art of the bedchamber.
See Umayabara 1976. p.176.
65
yinjian was rendered as intoji in Umayabaras edition and understood to
indicate a situation in which the entrance of vagina is blocked. See Umayabara, 1976, p221
 309
with alcohol
15 Internal use To cure impotence
16 Internal use To cure impotence
17 Internal use, To make the penis long, large and strong, make
also used as excrement and urine fragrant, to prevent evil qi ()
application( and calamities
) onto
the penis
18 Used as To reduce the excessive power of jing and make the
application or penis withered
compress(
)
19 Moxibustion To reduce the excessive power of jing and make the
on penis withered, and weaken the way of yang ()
sanyinjiao(
)66
20 Do not lay near the penis
21 To weaken the yin ()
22 Internal use To make the penis long and large
23 Used as an To make the penis large
application
and then
should be
rubbed
24 Application To make the penis long
on the penis
(wash out
after
applying the
medicine)
25 To insert into To make the jade gate (, i.e. the entrance of vagina)
vagina smaller
26 Wash the To make the entrance of vagina smaller ( so that it would
female become tight as if it were the virgins)
genitalia
with warm
water
27 To insert into To make the large and cold vagina smaller and tighter
vagina (or
used as
application)
28 Wash the To make the large and cold vagina smaller and tighter
female
genitalia with
warm water
29 To insert into To make the vagina smaller, tighter and warmer
vagina (or
used as
application)
30 Burning hair To stop the blood for young girls at losing her virginity
and blue cloth
31 To plaster To stop the blood for young girls at losing her virginity
32 To plaster To stop the blood for young girls at losing her virginity
33 To drink For the pain of the bride with small vagina
34 To drink For the pain of the bride with small vagina
35 To drink For the pain and wound of a woman who had had the

66
A moxibustion and acupuncture point on foot.
310
first sexual intercourse
36 To drink For the pain and wounds created because of excessive
sex
37 To drink For the headache and wounds of woman because of the
heaviness of her husbands body
38 To drink For the unbearable pain because of the sexual intercourse
39 To drink To stop the blood because of the sexual intercourse

Table 3 Aphrodisiacs in the Late Sex Manuals67

Name of Usage Category Name of Usage Category of
Aphrodisiac of Efficacy Aphrodisiac Efficacy
1 Xiyi Bagua Internal Stabilizer 19 Reyi Qianku Internal Philtres /
Anshen use of internal San use (for Sexual
Yanshou Dan organs/ woman) arouser
Rejuvenatio (Powder of
n/ Catching the
(Xiyis eight Prolonging Will and
hexagrams Life Pulling the
Elixir to Trouser)
Prolong Life
and Ease the
shen
2 Zhoutian To stick Procreation 20 Mein Dao To insert Sexual
Shengjing to the / Fortifier/ Tijin into pleasure
Zaizuo Guben navel Viagra/ vagina
Huanzhen Gao Gynaecolog (Remedy for
y Beautiful Lady
Falling Down
(Salve to and Pulling the
Circulate the Gold Up)
Heaven,
Producing Jing,
Creating and
Firming the
Foundation
again and
Returning the
Truth)
3 Xinyang Dan To plaster Permanenc 21 Linggui To insert Improveme
on e of Zhanshi into the nt of the
(Elixir of Rising the penis activity/ Dan entrance penis /

67
Later aphrodisiacs can be divided into four categories as follows; 1.those which are transmitted
under the name of Chan Xiyi (?~989), those under the name of Sanfeng , those linked
with imperial court, and those linked with immortals and sages. This table consisted of drugs
transmitted under all these four categories in order, each of which division is shown with bold
line. Also, this table is based on drugs appeared in later sex manuals collected in Duan
Chenggong , Liu Yezhu et al, ed., Fangzhong Yangsheng Miji (A
Secret Basket for Nourishing Life within the Chamber). Three Volumes. Beijing. Zhongyi Guji
Chubanshe, 2001. In addition, I have also referred to Li Ling ed. 1993. Zhongguo fangshu
Gaiguan-Fangzhong (Outline of Chinese Magical Techniques-The Art of the
Bedchamber). Beijing: Renmin zhongguo chuban.
 311
yang) Holding of urethra Sexual
seminal (Elixir of Spirit / (to pleasure
emission/ and Demons insert
Sexual Spreading the into the
Pleasure Force) mouth)
4 Jinqiang To insert Improveme 22 He Huan San To insert Sexual
Budao Fang into nt of the into pleasure
the penis / (Powder of vagina
(Remedy for not entrance Permanenc Uniting the
Falling Golden of e of activity Pleasure)
Spear Down) urethra / Sexual
pleasure
5 Han Sunfei To insert Shrinking 24 Mein To insert Sexual
NuanluDan into the size of Diansheng into pleasure
vagina vagina / Jiao vagina
(Queen Sun of Sexual
the Hans pleasure (Beautiful Lady
Elixir to Quivering the
Warming Voice and
Fireplace) Fawning)
6 Lu An To insert Shrinking 25 Xingyang Internal Fortifier/
Gongzhu Relu into the size of Baoshen Dan use Permanence
Fang vagina vagina / of activity
Sexual (Elixir for
(Princess Gong pleasure Rising Yang
Ans Remedy to and
Heating Maintaining the
Fireplace of) Kidney)
7 Relu To insert Sexual 26 Yang Fei Yeye To plaster Permanence
Shuangmei into arouser/ Jiao on th of activity /
Dan vagina Improver of penis Sexual
sensitivity / (Queen Yangs pleasure
(Elixir of Mutual Fawning Night
Heating the sexual by Night)
Fireplace and pleasure
Parallel
Marvels)
8 Shuangmei To insert Sexual 27 Kuai N Dan To plaster Sexual
Dan into arouser for on th pleasure
vagina both a man (Elixir of penis for
(Elixir of and a Pleasuring (possible women/
Parallel woman/Mu Lady) internal Philtres
Rapture) tual sexual use for
pleasure woman?
9 Tie Qi Gao To stick A large 28 Zhang Xiang To plaster Sexual
onto the quantity of Si on the arouser for
(Sticking Plaster navel and sexual penis woman/
on Navel) stabilize affairs / (.Mutually /(Internal philtres / A
with silk Holding Thinking of for use) large
belt seminal a Long)/ quantity of
Emission Zhang Xiang sexual
Si Fang affairs/
Sexual
(Remedy for pleasure
Mutually
Thinking of for
a Long)
10 Jinsuo Yulian To plaster Improveme 29 Yijing Gujing To plaster Firming jing
Huan on the nt of the Dan on the
312
penis penis penis
(Ring of Jade (Elixir of
ranging of Easing
Golden Chain) Emotions and
Firming Jing)
11 Zhai Yn To insert Shrinking 30 Zhuangyang Internal Improveme
Fang into the size of Yishen use nt of the
vagina vagina Dan penis /
(Remedy to Holding
Narrowing Yin) (Elixir of Seminal
Fortifying Emission/
Yang and Sexual
Benefiting pleasure for
the Kidney) women
12 Zhang Xiang Si To plaster Philtres 31 Hanmiao Xiyu To plaster Increasing
on the Gao on the the quantity
Mutually penis penis of female
Thinking of for (Sticking secretion/
a Long Plaster for Sexual
Dried Seedling pleasure
being Pleased
by Rain)
13 Yu Lu San To wash Viagra/ 32 Feiyan Xichun To plaster Sexual
the Sexual San on the arouser /
(Powders to vagina Pleasure penis Sexual
Bating (Powder of pleasure
Fireplace)/ Flying Sparrow
Luo Lu San being Pleased
by the Spring)
(Powder of
Fireplace in
Luo)
14 Sishi To insert Sexual 33 Xishi Internal A large
Shuangmei San into arouser Shouchong use quantity of
vagina / /Viagra Dan sexual
(Powders for (Internal affairs/
Parallel Rapture use) (Xishis Elixir Improveme
in Four of Receiving nt of the
Seasons) Affection) penis /
Sexual
pleasure for
women
15 You Fa Internal Improveme 34 Zhenren Internal A large
use nt of the Baiming Dan use quantity of
(Another penis/ sexual
Remedy)68 Viagra (True Mans affairs/
Elixir to Prolonging
Maintaining Life
Life)
16 Tie Gou Wan Internal Improveme 35 Sun Yu To plaster Lightening

68
This is put following to the Sishi Mei San (Powders for Rapture in Four Seasons) in
Fangshu Xuanjizhong Cuizuanyao (Collected and Gathered Pivots out of
Marvellous Ways of the Art of Chamber), compiled by Chen Xiyi while it is following to Li Xiao
Wan (Pill of Standing Efficacy) in Xingxi Huanxiang Zhuren (Landlord of the
Fragrance of Washing in the Mountain Stream of Apricot), (Possibly sometimes during Jiajing period,
1522~1566), Zigui Mishu (Secret Book of Purple Bedroom).
 313
use nt of the Wangmu on the the body/
(Pill of Iron penis / A penis Sexual
Crochet-hook) large (Plain Girl Pleasure
quantity of Meeting with
sexual the Queen
affairs Mother)
17 Li Xiao Wan Internal Viagra/ 36 Mein Yixiao To insert Sexual
use Improveme San into pleasure
(Pill of Standing nt of the vagina
Efficacy) penis/Holdi (Powder for
ng seminal Beautiful Lady
emission Smile at Once)
18 Qianjin Mijing To hold Holding 37 Jinwu Dechun To wash Shrinking
Fang within seminal Dan the the size of
the emission/ vagina vagina /
(Priceless mouth/ to Mutual (Elixir of Sexual
Remedy for plaster sexual Getting the pleasure
Keeping Jing) either on pleasure Spring in
the Golden House)
vagina or
the penis
38 Kuanpi Tang Xi To wash Sexual 50 Xingzhan Internal Permanence
Gui Fa the penis pleasure Liyang Dan use of
activity/Hol
(A Method to (Elixir of ding
Wash the Rising to Fight seminal
Tortoise with and Standing emission/Se
Loosening the Yang) xual
Skin Soup) pleasure
39 Xing Yang To hand Improveme 51 Sishi Rumen Internal Sexual
Wugong Dai down nt of the Huan use pleasure
from the penis/Prolo
(A Pouch of penis nging Life/ (Satisfaction of
Centipede for Procreation Entering the
Rising Yang) Gate in Four
Seasons)
40 Wu Zetian To plaster Mutual 52 Guzhen Gaotie To stick Fortifier of
Huaxin Dong on the sexual Di Fa onto yin and
Fangshu penis pleasure/ the navel yang/Mutua
Avoiding (A Method of and l sexual
the Plastering stabilize pleasure
(The Queen Wu coldness of and Sticking with
Zetians Art to a man and a onto the silk belt
Move the woman Navel for
Centre of the Firming the
Folower) / Truth)
Kundao Tuyu
Dan

(Elixir of
Plastering Jade
with the Sword
of the Mt.
Kunlun)
41 Jinzhang To insert Stretching 53 Xiangsi Suo To insert Improveme
Shengchun into the and filling into the nt of the
Dan vagina the vagina (Chain for entrance penis
Hoping and of urethra
( Elixir of Thinking)
314
Engendering
the Spring in a
Gorgeous Veil)
42 Guben Internal Improveme 54 Yuan Yang To stuff Permanence
Zhuangyang use nt of the in the ear of
Dan penis/[ Fort (A Knot of A activity/Hol
ifier] Pair of ding
(Elixir of Mandarin seminal
Firming the Duck) emission
Foundation and
Fortifying Yang)
43 Yanshou Internal A large 55 Ziyang To insert Sexual
Gujing Wan use quantity of Kuaihuo Dan into the pleasure
sexual vagina
(Pill of Firming affairs/ (Elixir of
Jing and Maintainin Pleasure and
Prolonging g the Liveliness by
Life) erection/Im Increasing
provement Yang)
of the penis
44 Chunfang [This Viagra 56 Guben Dan Internal A large
Yaoxing Ge song use quantity of
explains (Elixir to sexual
(Song of the the Firming the affairs/Hold
Nature of the nature of Foundation) ing seminal
Medicine for various emission
Spring Remedy) items that
help for
the
efficacy
stated on
the right
column]
45 Zhuyang Dan To smell [to help 57 Yidu Shinian Internal Permanence
Ge yang] Xiang useTo of
(Song of Elixir insert activity/Sex
of Helping (Hoping for into the ual
Yang) Ten Years by vagina pleasure/Phi
One Occasion) ltres
46 Ziyin Internal Improveme 58 Shihuang To insert Shrinking
Zhuangyang use nt of the tongn dan into the size of
Dan penis/[ Fort vagina vagina
ifier] (Elixir of a
(Elixir of Young Girl of
Increasing Yin Qin Shihuang)
and Fortifying
Yang)
47 Yidu Internal Philtres 59 Yushui To insert Sexual
Zhongshen use Xiangtou san into arouser/
Xiang vagina Mutual
(Powder of sexual
(Hoping till the Fish and Water pleasure/ A
Body will End Mutually large
by One Going over to quantity of
Occasion) Each Other) sexual
affairs
48 Yinian Dan To plaster Greatly 60 Qianggui Yin To plaster A large
on the causing dan onto the quantity of
(Elixir of One penis shen penis sexual
 315
Twist) (Elixir to affair/
Strengthen the Benefiting
Tortoise and woman
Benefit
Woman)
49 Shenxian Internal Holding
Zhimiao Jue use seminal
emission/
(Shenxians Firming
Point of jing/ Sexual
Achieving pleasure
Marvel)
61 Laorenjia Internal Procreation 78 Jing Si To plaster Improveme
Gujing Zhongzi use / Firming Yingchui on the nt of the
Dan jing penis penis/Sexua
(Stalk like Hard l pleasure
(Elderly Hammer)
Mans Houses
Elixir of
Firming Jing
and Seeding
Offspring)
62 Jin Dan De Zi Internal Improveme 79 Yangfei Meiyi To insert Sexual
use/To nt of the Dan the arouser /
(Golden Elixir stick/ penis/ vagina Mutual
to Obtain To Sexual Queen Yangs sexual
Offspring) wash pleasure/ Elixir for pleasure
the Procreation Rapture /Gynaecolo
penis Hope) gy /
(for Improveme
male nt of the
use) penis
/Intern
al use
for
female
use
63 Jiaren Zi Jieyi Internal Sensualisati 80 Zhuangyang Internal Improveme
use on Dan use nt of the
(Lovable lady (Elixir for penis/Sexua
Taking Clothes Fortifying l pleasure
Off By Herself) Yang)
64 Jing Ru Shichu To tie Sexual 81 Nuan Gong To insert Sensualisati
( Stalk onto the pleasure Wan the on /Sexual
like Stone penis vagina pleasure
Mallet) (Pill of
Warming the
Palace)
65 Dabu Busun Internal Holding 82 Huangjing Internal Fortifying
Wan use seminal Yangqi Wan use yang
(Pill of emission/
Greatly Fortifying (Pill of
Supplement yang Returning
without Harm) Jing and
Nourishing Qi)
66 You Fang To insert Sexual 83 Yinyang To insert Sexual
Wuxiang Ruyi the pleasure Jiaomei Dan the pleasure
Wan vagina vagina
(Another and the (Elixir of Yin
316
Remedy of Five mouth and Yang
Fragrances Pill Exchanging the
for Making as Rapture)
One Wanted)
67 Jing Ru To plaster Improveme 84 Baozhen To plaster Holding
Tiebang on the nt of the Dingyisi Wan on the seminal
penis and penis/Holdi penis emission
(Stalk like insert ng seminal (Pill of
IronBar) into the emission/Se Maintaining the
vagina xual Truth and
pleasure Settling the
Hope and
Thought)
68 Tongxiao San To plaster Holding 85 Cheye Wan Internal Permanence
on the seminal use of activity/
(Powder for penis emission (Pill for All A large
Passing through Through the quantity of
Early Evening) Night) sexual
affairs (?:
Enabling to
continue
sexual
intercourse
all through
the night)
/Sexual
pleasure
69 Liu dan Meixin Internal Holding 86 Yinxin Dan To insert Sensualisati
Dan use seminal the on /Sexual
emission (Elixir for Lust vagina pleasure
(Elixir of Six Heart)
Gallbladders for
Beautiful Heart)
70 Nuanqu Jiao To insert Sensualisati 87 Yiyang Dan Internal Fortifying
the on /Sexual use yang
(Fawning vagina pleasure (Elixir to
Warmly and Benefit Yang)
Flavourfully)
71 Chun Xia Internal 88 Xingyang Dan Internal Viagra
use use
(Spring Shrimp) (Elixir of
Rising Yang)
72 Jiaren Dao Internal Sensualisati 89 Ermei To insert Sexual
Tijin use on Changqing the pleasure
(Sticking San vagina
Gold for
Lovable Lady (Powder for
Falling Down) Two Beauties
Long Emotion)
73 Jinqiang Internal Holding 90 Shenxian Internal Improveme
Budao Dan use seminal Zhangjing Dan use nt of the
(Elixir emission penis
for not Falling (Devine
Golden Spear Immortals
Down) Elixir for
Lengthening
Stalk)
74 Shuangmei To plaster Mutual 91 Baizhan No harm for
Youqing Fang on the sexual GujingGao qi
 317
penis pleasure
(Remedy for /Sexual (Sticking
Parallel Rapture arouser Plaster for
and Having Firming Jing
Emotion) through
Hundreds of
Fights)
75 Bushen Internal [Fortifying 92 Saier To stuff Holding
Zhuyang Dan use yang] TongqQiao in the ear seminal
Bushi Wan emission
(Elixir to
Supply the (Pill for Not
Kidney and Emitting and
Helping Yang) Passing
through Hole
by Stuffing
Ear)
76 Manchuang To insert Sexual 93 Wandi Butui Internal [Holding
Jiao the pleasure Fang use seminal
vagina emission]
(Fawning of (Remedy of
Filling the Bed) Not
Withdrawing
from Ten
Thousands of
Enemies)
77 Qindong Lishi To plaster Holding
Chun on the seminal
penis emission
(Spring of (:
Emotion Ejaculate at
Moving and getting out
Standing on from the
Time) fireplace)
94 L Zhu Jin Shi Internal Supplying 104 Lu An Internal Shrinking
Sui Yanshou use Benefit Gongzhu Ru use the size of
Buyi Tang Hua Yeye vagina (?:
Xiang having sex
as if with
(Soup of virgin girl)
Prolonging Life (Princess Lu
and Supplying Ans Nightly
Benefit Fragrance Like
Recommended Flower)
by L Zhu to
Shi Sui)
95 An Lushan To plaster Holding 105 Bi Aocao Jin Internal Sexual
CheyeZiqing on the seminal Wu use pleasure
San penis emission Zetianhou Zi
Mei Fang

(An Lushans
Powder of (Remedy
Indulging Recommended
Emotions All by Bi Aocao to
Through the The Empress
Night) Wu Zetian to
Naturally
Become
318
Rapture)
96 Sui Yangdi To plaster Sexual 106 Han Wudi Internal Improveme
Xing Qunn on the pleasure Yuzhi use/ To nt of the
Biangong penis Biangong Si plaster on penis/
Chun the penis Maintaining
and cover the erection
(Thought to it with
(Spring of Touring the silk for
Yangdi of the Palace Created seven
Sui Dynasty by Emperor Wu days
Patronizing of the Han
Swarms of Dynasty by
Women by Himself)
Touring the
Palace)
97 Qingong Wash the Viagra/ 107 Da Fei Runhu To wash Sexual
Zhuhou Yupen bodies of Shrinking Fang The pleasure
Shuangmei male and the size of vagina
Fang female vagina (Da Feis
Remedy of
Moistening the
(Queen Zhu of Gate)
the Palace of
Qins Remedy
for Elixir of
Bathing Tub for
Parallel
Marvels)
98 Taiping To plaster Fortifying 108 Lin Lingsu Jin To insert Sexual
Gongzhu on the yang Song Weizong into the pleasure
Mansheng Jiao penis /Permanenc N Dan vagina
e of activity
/ Sexual
( Princess pleasure (Elixir for
Taipings Woman
Fawning with Recommeded
Enormous by Lin Lingsu
Voice) to Emperor
Weizong of the
Song Dynasty)
99 Yao Xian To insert Sexual 109 Song Weizong Internal (?: Inserting
Mimiao Fang into the pleasure Xing LiShi use / To into the
Ge vagina Ming Lijiju plaster on fireplace as
Zhi Longgu the penis one want.)
(Song of Zhenshu Fang
Immortal Yaos
Remedy for
Secret Marvel)
(Remedy of
Rare Number
of Dragon
Bone Created
by the Office of
Profitable Drug
at the Order by
the Emperor
Weizong of the
Song Dynasty
When He
 319
Patronize Li
Shi)
100 Gao Ya Neimilu To plaster Sexual 110 Wu Sansi Jin To insert Sexual
Zisong Jiaqi over the arouser or Weihou into the pleasure for
Qiupei Fang female Sensualizati Kuain Wan vagina woman
body on for
woman
(Remedy (Pill to Please
Recorded Woman
Internally and Recommended
Secretly by Gao by Wu Sansi to
Ya to Seeking Queen Wei)
for the Partner
at Lovable
Period
Presented by
Oneself)
101 Yuan Shundi Internal Holding 111 Nanjun Internal Improveme
Yuzhi Jinqiang use seminal Gaunzhu use nt of the
Budao Fang emission Qianjin Buyi penis/
Fang Sexual
pleasure
(Remedy of Not (Remedies of
Falling the The Head of
Golden Spear the Officials of
Down Created South Borough
by Emperor Not to
Shun of the Exchange for
Yuan Dynasty Thousands of
Himself) Gold)
102 Li Guogong To insert Procreation 112 Yang Fei Xiao To wash Sexual
Guansi Fang into the Yupen the penis pleasure
vagina and
(Li Guogons (Yang Feis vagina
Remedy of Small Bathing
Broadening Tub)
Successor)
103 Qin Shihuang Plaster Female
Shi Binfei over the chastity
Caoshou Fan female
body

(The First
Emperor ofthe
Qin Dynastys
Remedy to
Know Wives
and
ConcubinesCh
astity)

Table 4: List of Categories of Efficacies in the Late Sex Manuals

1 Prolonging life 13 To help yang 25 Increasing the quantity of
female secretion
2 Lightening the body 14 Greatly causing shen 26 Philtre
3 Stabilizer of organ 15 Gynaecology 27 Sexual arouser
320
4 Supplying Benefit 16 Benefiting woman 28 Sexual arouser for woman
5 Avoiding the coldness of 17 Permanence of activity 29 Sexual arousal for man and
man and woman woman
6 No harm for qi 18 Holding seminal emission 30 Improver of sensitivity
7 Rejuvenation 19 A large quantity of sexual 31 Sensualisation
affairs
8 Procreation 20 Maintaining Erection 32 Sexual pleasure
9 Fortifier 21 Improvement of the penis 33 Sexual pleasure for woman
10 Fortifying yang 22 Viagra 34 Mutual sexual pleasure
11 Fortifier of yin and yang 23 Shrinking the size of
vagina
12 Firming jing 24 Stretching and filling the
vagina

Table 5. Japanese Assessments on the Penis

Kshoku Tabimakura 8th year of Genroku =1695

= (Upper 81
Level (The one of which tip is stirred to stretch strongly, the shape is
=Licorice Penis) Dgaeshi with four sun for the height, length and width, with glans placed highly,
with sharp nerves and with black coloured, which will not wither within 81 times.
72 (The one of which shape
(Middle Level Penis) is similar to the upper level penis, though this one is five sun longer, which will
not wither within 72 times.

(Lower Level Penis) (The one of which root and tip are in conspiracy, which is phimotic,
white coloured, and limp, and will shrink when it is inserted while erect when it is
pulled out).

-2 Bid Nichiya Jyoh Ki (During Meiwa Era=around 1770)

About the Nine Tools

1 (Ch)
(Long as if it were a pole. With this, one would
play as one wants, which would drill the jade gate only to
seek for disease.)

2 Fu
(As it is soft, its touch within the vagina is
excellent. This one can match for any vagina.)

3 (Komara)
(As it is short and small, women would hardly be
satisfied, and therefore it would not be poisonous nor
medicinal. )

4 (Shita-zori)
(As it does not fit with the structure within the
vagina, its insertion and extraction go badly. Thus, this is
lower level penis.)
 321
5 (Uwa-zori)
(As it fits with the structure within the vagina to rub the
upper part inside the vagina, it works well.)

6 (Futo)
(Being put inside the vagina, it fills the
vagina very much from the middle point. It cannot be fit
for new vagina, i.e. organ of virgin.)

7 (Kari) (Its
glans stays high. This one also scrub sharply the upper
part inside the vagina and therefore it works well.)

8 (Suboke)
(Being put inside the vagina, even though one did
his best with Art, it would not bring any taste for both the
man and woman.)

9 (Dgaeshi)
(As this one is a rare tool and a masterpiece, it is
selective for jade gate and general women are difficult to
receive this one.)

-3. Hyakunin Isshu Shokushi Bako During Anei Era=around 1773

1 (Fu)
(As if it
were a simmered Fu, which increases itself fully no matter if it was big or small,
this one sits well with any vagina no matter if the vagina is wide or narrow.
This is why this one is the best).
2 (Kari)
(This is the penis with glans placed high. Its taste when it rubs up, down,
left and right inside the vagina is good. The penis with knot is one of the sorts.)
3 (Sori) (This one
winds upwards, works well during the intercourse, and rotates freely within the
vagina.)
4 (Kasa)
(It is the lower level penis of the ones with glans placed high.
As its glans is so big that it would cause difficulties for small vagina, it is
downgraded.)
5 (Tetsu) (This one is also known as
Black Penis or Metal Penis. Its taste is good.)
6 (Shiro) (Its appearance is beautiful, but
its taste is not good.)
7 (Ki) (This one is Wooden Penis
which is like pipe and hard. It would hardly cause female feelings.)
8 (Futo)
(Bing very big, it is good if it is matched with Wide Vagina.
It would burst open normal vagina, women with normal organ would not enjoy
this one.)
9 (Ch) (It would kill woman. Be scared, be
scared.)
322
10 (Subo)

(This is known as Suboke, which is just like a finger of a child
and it wear skin. However, it would be better than artificial penis. maids who
have thirst in sexual affairs do not have special preference and therefore they
would be satisfied with this one.)

-4. Danjyo Kykun Hana no Arika

(Upper Level) Around the Tip of Glans

Border of the Glans
Middle Part
Root
Length
(Middle Level) Tip of Glans
Border of Glans
Middle Part
Root
Length
Tip of Glans
(Lower Level Border of Glans
Winding downward) Middle Part
Root
Length

Figure 1 from Makura Bunko

 323
Fig 2 from Makura Bunko

Fig 3. from Bid Nichiya Jyohki