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Maneuvering of Sexualities (Karen)
Activities of Actors in Ni-chome
Introduction
“The fact is, however, that even here one finds regulars, who come neither to watch films nor to have [intimacy] but rather to talk with other regulars. This suggests that [intimacy] is not the major issue for many gay men in Japan. [Intimacy] can be found in many places but someone to talk with regularly, a friend with whom one can discuss one’s personal life, including problems with one’s family and one’s relation to lovers, is what is most needed” (Hendry & Raveri, 2005, p.65)
Reading about Ni-chome, you find every writer telling you that Ni-chome is a place for the gays. Yet, when I walked into a popular gay bar, I found that the bartenders were extremely welcoming to a nonnke (heterosexual) like me. As I looked around, I found that there were three main types of people, the young gays, older gays, and foreigners who were noticeably gay. They were not merely sitting around or conversing and drinking, there were people with different objectives, motives, and purposes. So what is this place for for these actors in Nichome? Well, as I have found, it is a multi-purpose city but with a comforting, inclusive twist. In most of the reasonings for coming to Ni-chome, there is an underlying idea that many people and ideas are accepted and the “taboos” can be explored here. Illustrated below are just some of the reasons people seem to come to Shinjuku Ni-chome. These ideas will, more importantly, the nature of Ni-chome, contrary to popular media representation.
Drinking
As Ni-chome is a place filled with primarily bars and clubs, it is unsurprising to note that many people in Ni-chome are there to drink. As I have observed through my field research, drinking is done alone, in groups, in pairs, as a couple, and so many variations of people. People also seem to have different objectives even in the act of drinking. For some, they were there for relaxation and alone time while others were there for socializing. There was no way to generalize the people drinking in Ni-chome as they all seemed to have differing objectives.
Creating Short-Term Friends
“Short-term”, described here points to the relationships that last for the night or for the couple of times they coincidentally meet in the city. They are not very serious or deep relationships and do not go beyond the realm of small talk in bars. I observed in a gay bar that there was a man, going around talking to different groups of people and I noticed that he did not stay in these spots for long and it did not seem as though he was exchanging information or anything with anyone. Thus indicating that he was there to create “friends” that were temporarily for the night. It was perhaps an act of networking and it should be noted that I was unable to discover his true motive or background to create a concrete description but the man was surely not there to be with the same people for a long period of time.
Creating New Long-Term Friends
In contrast to those who were making temporary short-term friends, there were patrons who seemed to be there to make long term friends. Long-term friends indicates the kinds of relationship that lasts more than that night and usually involves a sort of exchange of contact information or something to keep in touch. Therefore, even when the night ends they would perhaps see each other another time
Finding Hook-Ups or One Night Stands
While inside a gay bar, I overheard a conversations of a man asking a woman, “what are your plans for the night?” This conversation indicated that there are people looking for someone to spend the night with, which has nuances. In many regular clubs and bars, it is common to find people looking for a short-term relationship as it is an ideal place to find willing strangers. Therefore, this is perhaps the case in Ni-chome as well, especially for the LGBTQ people. Since many of the bars and clubs are separated according to interests, it is easier to find people with the same sexual orientation as you in these places (Lunsing, 2005).
Exploring and Seeing the “Scene”
ここは観光バーだから初めての人にはいいよ
(Translation: “This is a tourism bar so it is good for first-timers”)
A 観光バー (kannkō-bā —Tourism Bar) is what a patron inside a gay bar called it. According to Susaki, these bars are places for primarily heterosexual people who are curious about Ni-chome but do not know where exactly to go and are not particularly looking for anything (2019). This idea indicates that there are specific places made for tourists who are there to explore and see Ni-chome.
Another instance that illustrates the existence of tourists is from a conversation we had with a bartender at a gay bar as well as a conversation with bartenders at another smaller gay bar suggested that there are many people, like myself, who come to Ni-chome to feed into their curiosity. First, at the first gay bar, the bartender was asking us our purpose and goals for being in Ni-chome. We answered that we were looking around for fun. Then, when we asked them what types of people come to Dragon Men, they replied “people like you”, suggesting that there are people who come for pure exploration. In another gay bar, there was a older male patron and he was with a younger woman. When we asked about his purpose for being in this bar, he replied “I’m on a date with that girl and she wanted to see Ni-chome.” This conversation suggested that there are heterosexual people who are curious about Ni-chome and when they get an opportunity, they go to simply see the “infamous Ni-chome”.
Finding a Comfortable Place to Drink with Already Existing Friends
There were a couple of people who were going around places with seemingly already existing friends. They were comfortable with each other, coming into bars together and leaving together, suggesting that there was already a relationship there before coming inside. Therefore, as literature shows (insert), Ni-chome is a comfortable place, especially seen from an outsiders perspective, and therefore, perhaps some people are in Ni-chome to look for a comfortable place to meet and drink with their already existing friends.
Shopping for Explicit/Taboo Items (Pornography stores)
In Ni-chome, there are several pornography stores, especially gay pornography stores. When I passed by a gay pornography store, I saw three instances where a man would walk out of the store with a gray bag in hand and swiftly turn the corners (Read more here). This is a place with concentrated population of pornography stores. This concentration makes the access easier for the customers and being located in Ni-chome, a place filled with taboos, allows for one to be more comfortable seeing taboos in this city.
Seeing Entertainers (Strippers and DJs)
“土日に来てれば深夜ダンサーとか来てすごく賑やかなのに.”
(Translation: If you came on the weekend, there would be dancers (strippers) and it would be more lively.”
Entertainers had a prominent place in many gay bars whether it be strippers/dancers or DJs. Their posters would be plastered on the walls and promoted verbally by the bartenders. One bartender I spoke to told me about popular DJs and how crowds fill up the space for DJ nights. This suggested to me that DJs may be in high demand and for some visitors, their purpose for visit perhaps is to see these entertainers.
Conclusion
As mentioned in the previous page about the types of actors, Ni-chome is not the place stereotypes place it to be. Yes there are LGBTQ people, there are eccentric, diverse populations, but it involves actors with different motives and different activities which are beyond sexualities. It is vital to understand Ni-chome as a truly diverse place, with different types of people, coming together while doing different types of activities, and that is what creates Ni-chome.