Sexuality and Affection in the Time of Technological Innovation: Artificial Partners in the Japanese Context
Recent years have witnessed an increase in the number of academic studies on the impact of technological advancements on human life, including possible transformations and changes in human sexuality following the development of sex-related devices, such as sex robots. In this context, terms such as...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2021-04-01
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| Series: | Religions |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/12/5/296 |
| _version_ | 1797536732573335552 |
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| author | Beatriz Yumi Aoki Takeshi Kimura |
| author_facet | Beatriz Yumi Aoki Takeshi Kimura |
| author_sort | Beatriz Yumi Aoki |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Recent years have witnessed an increase in the number of academic studies on the impact of technological advancements on human life, including possible transformations and changes in human sexuality following the development of sex-related devices, such as sex robots. In this context, terms such as posthuman sexuality, digisexuality, and techno-sexuality have emerged, signaling possible new understandings of sexual, intimacy, and emotional practices. It is important to note that ancient history shows that humankind has for a long time been fascinated with their relationship to non-living things, mostly human-like figures, such as dolls. The Ningyo (人形, the Japanese term for doll) has a long history of usage, and has deep religious and animistic significance in the Japanese context—there are records of sexual use as early as the 18th century. With this context in mind, this paper focuses on three Japanese examples, aiming to shine a light on beyond-human relationships, which include a Japanese man’s marriage to a digital character, sex dolls, and communicative robots, from both a sexual and emotional perspective. In a new horizon of sexual and romantic possibilities, how will humans respond, and what can emerge from these interactions? |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T12:04:02Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-abe81f6f514342a89ae807c3d521a74e |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2077-1444 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T12:04:02Z |
| publishDate | 2021-04-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Religions |
| spelling | doaj.art-abe81f6f514342a89ae807c3d521a74e2023-11-21T16:42:54ZengMDPI AGReligions2077-14442021-04-0112529610.3390/rel12050296Sexuality and Affection in the Time of Technological Innovation: Artificial Partners in the Japanese ContextBeatriz Yumi Aoki0Takeshi Kimura1Communication and Semiotics Program, Pontifícia Universidade Católica de São Paulo, São Paulo 05014-901, BrazilFaculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8571, JapanRecent years have witnessed an increase in the number of academic studies on the impact of technological advancements on human life, including possible transformations and changes in human sexuality following the development of sex-related devices, such as sex robots. In this context, terms such as posthuman sexuality, digisexuality, and techno-sexuality have emerged, signaling possible new understandings of sexual, intimacy, and emotional practices. It is important to note that ancient history shows that humankind has for a long time been fascinated with their relationship to non-living things, mostly human-like figures, such as dolls. The Ningyo (人形, the Japanese term for doll) has a long history of usage, and has deep religious and animistic significance in the Japanese context—there are records of sexual use as early as the 18th century. With this context in mind, this paper focuses on three Japanese examples, aiming to shine a light on beyond-human relationships, which include a Japanese man’s marriage to a digital character, sex dolls, and communicative robots, from both a sexual and emotional perspective. In a new horizon of sexual and romantic possibilities, how will humans respond, and what can emerge from these interactions?https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/12/5/296digital charactersex dollssex robotsspiritualityJapanese sexual culture |
| spellingShingle | Beatriz Yumi Aoki Takeshi Kimura Sexuality and Affection in the Time of Technological Innovation: Artificial Partners in the Japanese Context Religions digital character sex dolls sex robots spirituality Japanese sexual culture |
| title | Sexuality and Affection in the Time of Technological Innovation: Artificial Partners in the Japanese Context |
| title_full | Sexuality and Affection in the Time of Technological Innovation: Artificial Partners in the Japanese Context |
| title_fullStr | Sexuality and Affection in the Time of Technological Innovation: Artificial Partners in the Japanese Context |
| title_full_unstemmed | Sexuality and Affection in the Time of Technological Innovation: Artificial Partners in the Japanese Context |
| title_short | Sexuality and Affection in the Time of Technological Innovation: Artificial Partners in the Japanese Context |
| title_sort | sexuality and affection in the time of technological innovation artificial partners in the japanese context |
| topic | digital character sex dolls sex robots spirituality Japanese sexual culture |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/12/5/296 |
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