Foreskin in Japan

[wowitsbetter]

Today I've decided to share with you an interesting fact that might sound totally new and incredible to many of you, but is absolutely true and natural to us Japanese guys.

Browsing through the Internet, including this website, I always get surprised and amused by how differently we in Japan see foreskin from the rest of the world.

Actually, the majority of Japanese guys are desperate to have a foreskin-free penis. But this is not about circumcision. Our ideal is for our dick head to come out in the process of our growing up.
As we don't usually get circumcised at birth, our dicks are all covered when we are children. Therefore, for us, a "covered" dick means a child/immature dick. And not only that. An "uncovered" dick or an exposed glans is a symbol of adulthood. Many Japanese believe the "normal" adult penis is the one with the glans completely out of the foreskin! Thus, many guys after puberty make a lot of effort not to have their covered dick seen by others if they have one.

As I wrote above, most of us are unfamiliar to the tradition of circumcision, so whether you are cut or uncut is rarely talked about here. Instead, we care about whether our glans have "grown out of" the foreskin or not (which might be a metaphor worth studying ethnologically).
I guess Korea and China shares the same idea to some extent, though I'm not really sure.

This way of thinking is said to have been enhanced by aesthetic clinics in 20th century, when they made a lot of circumcision ads for teen guys' magazines, writing all the bad things about foreskin-covered dicks. Now the Internet's era has come and people are much more accessible to wider range of information, the idea against covered dicks are becoming out of date and teenagers nowadays don't really seem to care about it. But many Japanese adults, maybe those in their 30s and above (which includes me), still have a strong "foreskin-is-embarrassing" feeling.

Because of this, we have very unique phenomena in Japan (at least until a little while ago):
- around the time they enter puberty, many guys are taught (by elder guys or books or whatever) to always retract their foreskin, so that it gets fixed that way
- in public baths, guys whose glans are usually covered retract their foreskin before getting naked (this is sometimes called "miemuki" ("retracting for vanity"))
- the word "hokei" (covered dick) is often used as an insult to a guy
etc...

On one hand, this culture has given worries and embarrassments to a lot of Japanese guys, as most of us do NOT get totally uncovered while growing up after all and always have to care about how we are seen by other guys. But on the other hand, this special feeling that only adult men share has made some fantastic experiences and memories to some of us. I have some memories of when I first found out about this common sense, of when I first exposed my glans in an onsen, of when I talked with old guys about my almost-adult dick when I was young..., some of which I hope to share with you down the road!

 

[SUCCUBUS.]

nice post

 

[Flotiz]

I knew, being interested in the subject, that in some Asian countries (especially Japan) there was a habit, particularly in certain circumstances or situations, of leaving the glans uncovered. This, in part, can be facilitated by the fact that in Asia there is a greater percentage of men with a short foreskin (obviously there will be also other boys with very long foreskins). However, I did not know such attention to the issue. I thought it was less important or discussed among the boys. At this point I wonder if it is at the same time something taught or debated in the family. I also understand what you write about the fact that a penis with the glans exposed is more adult. In a certain sense I think so too, without falling into extremism, and in fact I usually leave the foreskin retracted every now and then: I prefer the aesthetic aspect of the exposed glans. Among other things, as various studies and researches demonstrate, it is quite normal, from puberty onwards, to have a penis with the glans continually uncovered. Some, like me or you Japanese, choose it and have to keep the foreskin retracted. Other men are more facilitated as they naturally have a short foreskin. In short, leaving out everyone's habits (on which one may or may not agree), what is truly abnormal is a tight foreskin that can never be retracted.

Last consideration hoping not to go too far off topic. This debate should make us reflect and possibly discuss about the importance of having the glans always covered once we have grown up, that is from adolescence onwards. Attention I am not talking about removal or uselessness of the foreskin, but I am referring only to the degree of glans coverage with flaccid and uncut penis. If naturally, with the development of the body, many men have a foreskin that leaves part of the glans exposed, is it therefore so fundamental that during adulthood it is always completely covered ? It would almost seem that, while this is essential until childhood, from puberty it is less important.

 

[Flinn]

I don't think it's a very good thing to feel shame and embarrassment by the way your natural healthy body looks. And it's quite damaging for adult to pass this feeling on to children. Good thing it's fading.

 

[suter82]

I find this topic very interesting and since a long time I have been curious about the “foreskin culture” in Japan.

just by watching porn I usually see tight foreskin and big glans, so not sure if the rates of phimosis in Japan are higher than in other countries.

the idea of permanent retraction (I have done it for a couple of years using a sillicone ring that I bought in Japan) sounds like a good idea if you want to reduce the sensitivity in the glans (My penis has this issue).

as I mentioned I found the ring in Japan and there are lot of home devices and tools sold in Japan for the purpose of streching your foreskin or having a permanent retraction.

I have been in onsens in Japan but didnt want to look much not to offend anyone so I didnt really remember much of the dicks of the japanese guys there.

using it as a adult concept maybe it is a bit traumatic for some kids but maybe not for others that enjoy it and wear their glans uncovered with lot of pride.

Japan is a country with a completely different concept of body and nudity so it is difficult to have an opinion from outside to critize it or support it (then I prefer to just feed my curiosity without judgment)

 

[coolestguy]

Interesting. Thanks for sharing.

 

[St00vie]

I knew, being interested in the subject, that in some Asian countries (especially Japan) there was a habit, particularly in certain circumstances or situations, of leaving the glans uncovered. This, in part, can be facilitated by the fact that in Asia there is a greater percentage of men with a short foreskin (obviously there will be also other boys with very long foreskins). However, I did not know such attention to the issue. I thought it was less important or discussed among the boys. At this point I wonder if it is at the same time something taught or debated in the family. I also understand what you write about the fact that a penis with the glans exposed is more adult. In a certain sense I think so too, without falling into extremism, and in fact I usually leave the foreskin retracted every now and then: I prefer the aesthetic aspect of the exposed glans. Among other things, as various studies and researches demonstrate, it is quite normal, from puberty onwards, to have a penis with the glans continually uncovered. Some, like me or you Japanese, choose it and have to keep the foreskin retracted. Other men are more facilitated as they naturally have a short foreskin. In short, leaving out everyone's habits (on which one may or may not agree), what is truly abnormal is a tight foreskin that can never be retracted.

Last consideration hoping not to go too far off topic. This debate should make us reflect and possibly discuss about the importance of having the glans always covered once we have grown up, that is from adolescence onwards. Attention I am not talking about removal or uselessness of the foreskin, but I am referring only to the degree of glans coverage with flaccid and uncut penis. If naturally, with the development of the body, many men have a foreskin that leaves part of the glans exposed, is it therefore so fundamental that during adulthood it is always completely covered ? It would almost seem that, while this is essential until childhood, from puberty it is less important.

I think (without evidence) that it’s an evolutionary thing, before clothes a foreskin was a real protection and therefore benefit.
Now it’s less so, so foreskins are shrinking.

 

[Flotiz]

I think (without evidence) that it’s an evolutionary thing, before clothes a foreskin was a real protection and therefore benefit.
Now it’s less so, so foreskins are shrinking.

Personally, I quite agree with this statement:

“The foreskin could tend to shorten with penis development and consequently the glans may no longer remain altogether covered. Therefore, the fact that without surgery a part of men can have a penis similar in appearance to who is partially circumcised, could suggest that perhaps the main function of the foreskin is to protect the glans especially when the "male" is still a newborn (and thus wears diapers) and until the end of infancy. In the adult instead, after the growth, this function would slightly lose importance (compared to past years), almost as if it was no longer so completely essential”

 

[Luvcutdick]

I find this topic very interesting and since a long time I have been curious about the “foreskin culture” in Japan.

just by watching porn I usually see tight foreskin and big glans, so not sure if the rates of phimosis in Japan are higher than in other countries.

the idea of permanent retraction (I have done it for a couple of years using a sillicone ring that I bought in Japan) sounds like a good idea if you want to reduce the sensitivity in the glans (My penis has this issue).

as I mentioned I found the ring in Japan and there are lot of home devices and tools sold in Japan for the purpose of streching your foreskin or having a permanent retraction.

I have been in onsens in Japan but didnt want to look much not to offend anyone so I didnt really remember much of the dicks of the japanese guys there.

using it as a adult concept maybe it is a bit traumatic for some kids but maybe not for others that enjoy it and wear their glans uncovered with lot of pride.

Japan is a country with a completely different concept of body and nudity so it is difficult to have an opinion from outside to critize it or support it (then I prefer to just feed my curiosity without judgment)

I find your comment "as I mentioned I found the ring in Japan" very interesting.....

I am cut; however, there are times when some skin will cover the corona of the glans ( extremely cold water - haha ). By chance, I discovered that if I took a silicon expandable style cock ring and used it as a glans ring, that it was very effective in overcoming the looser skin issue. I wear it constantly.

So reading this thread for the first time is interesting. If the ring technique used in Japan is effective in fully holding back an uncut foreskin, then that might be a good alternative to being cut.

I do not believe in Routine Infant Circumcission. I think each boy should make that decision at an appropriate time. We should have a system that supports "teen or adult circumcision".

I would probably enjoy having a foreskin if I was able to select no ring today or yes, a ring today.

 

[new2day]

Great thread, an interesting topic, and something I did not know about till now. I've been to Japan on business, only a short trip but I did visit a spa in the hotel which had onsen style facilities. Even though I'm comfortable being nude, it was a little odd at first spending a few hours nude with a workmate at the spa, but I loved the experience. He had been to Japan previously so he briefed me on some of the protocols about using the facilities.

My friend is uncut, I'm cut, he didn't pull back his foreskin except to wash when showering, so perhaps he was unaware of that particular custom. It's some time ago but I cannot remember noticing if the mostly Japanese men were circumcised, or as you suggest drawing back their foreskins.

 

[wowitsbetter]

Great thread, an interesting topic, and something I did not know about till now. I've been to Japan on business, only a short trip but I did visit a spa in the hotel which had onsen style facilities. Even though I'm comfortable being nude, it was a little odd at first spending a few hours nude with a workmate at the spa, but I loved the experience. He had been to Japan previously so he briefed me on some of the protocols about using the facilities.

My friend is uncut, I'm cut, he didn't pull back his foreskin except to wash when showering, so perhaps he was unaware of that particular custom. It's some time ago but I cannot remember noticing if the mostly Japanese men were circumcised, or as you suggest drawing back their foreskins.

Well, your friend didn't need to follow this custom even if he was aware of it

It's not like we are told to expose our head in public. It's more like we "pretend" that we have an exposed dick, for our own pride. (So if you are satisfied with what you have, you can just let it be. )
Thus, many of us retract the foreskin and some even choose to get circumcised as an adult, but we don't want other guys to find that out. We want others to think that our glans is "naturally" exposed. Typically, when you go to a public bath, you put your hand in your underwear and quickly retract the foreskin before getting naked. That's a secret process that you don't want other guys to notice (although many guys are doing the same).

(Please don't forget that I'm not saying every Japanese guy thinks or behaves this way. As I wrote first, this custom is starting to fade, and also, things around this topic really vary depending on the person or the situation!)

 

[new2day]

There are some African tribes where circumcision is performed as ritual when boys reach a certain age, so perhaps other cultures see an exposed glans as a sign of manhood also.

 

[aussie_uncut_only]

Interesting reading man, cultural differences are incredible. For me there’s nothing sexier than a penis fully covered by foreskin with skin overhanging. Part of my attraction is the gradual slow « unveiling » of the head and the eventual fully exposed glans. For me this is highly erotic in a sexual way but on thinking after your article, the attraction might also be connected to unveiling of manhood, with possibly the angriest big swollen knob signifying alpha dude. Thanks for the interesting article.

 

[satyr]

Today I've decided to share with you an interesting fact that might sound totally new and incredible to many of you, but is absolutely true and natural to us Japanese guys.

Browsing through the Internet, including this website, I always get surprised and amused by how differently we in Japan see foreskin from the rest of the world.

Actually, the majority of Japanese guys are desperate to have a foreskin-free penis. But this is not about circumcision. Our ideal is for our dick head to come out in the process of our growing up.
As we don't usually get circumcised at birth, our dicks are all covered when we are children. Therefore, for us, a "covered" dick means a child/immature dick. And not only that. An "uncovered" dick or an exposed glans is a symbol of adulthood. Many Japanese believe the "normal" adult penis is the one with the glans completely out of the foreskin! Thus, many guys after puberty make a lot of effort not to have their covered dick seen by others if they have one.

As I wrote above, most of us are unfamiliar to the tradition of circumcision, so whether you are cut or uncut is rarely talked about here. Instead, we care about whether our glans have "grown out of" the foreskin or not (which might be a metaphor worth studying ethnologically).
I guess Korea and China shares the same idea to some extent, though I'm not really sure.

This way of thinking is said to have been enhanced by aesthetic clinics in 20th century, when they made a lot of circumcision ads for teen guys' magazines, writing all the bad things about foreskin-covered dicks. Now the Internet's era has come and people are much more accessible to wider range of information, the idea against covered dicks are becoming out of date and teenagers nowadays don't really seem to care about it. But many Japanese adults, maybe those in their 30s and above (which includes me), still have a strong "foreskin-is-embarrassing" feeling.

Because of this, we have very unique phenomena in Japan (at least until a little while ago):
- around the time they enter puberty, many guys are taught (by elder guys or books or whatever) to always retract their foreskin, so that it gets fixed that way
- in public baths, guys whose glans are usually covered retract their foreskin before getting naked (this is sometimes called "miemuki" ("retracting for vanity"))
- the word "hokei" (covered dick) is often used as an insult to a guy
etc...

On one hand, this culture has given worries and embarrassments to a lot of Japanese guys, as most of us do NOT get totally uncovered while growing up after all and always have to care about how we are seen by other guys. But on the other hand, this special feeling that only adult men share has made some fantastic experiences and memories to some of us. I have some memories of when I first found out about this common sense, of when I first exposed my glans in an onsen, of when I talked with old guys about my almost-adult dick when I was young..., some of which I hope to share with you down the road!

Thanks for shedding light on the subject.
I noticed Japanese men trend to pull back their foreskins, but i couldn't find any information about it. Also, quite a taboo subject, so again thanks for bringing it up.

The glans is the most personal part of the male body. Strictly linked with sex and orgasms. Exposing it feels like exposing yourself a step further from nudity. It sounds odd that Japanese men feel exposed when they are actually covered.

I like how the asian world is -unlike the majority of the world- still conciliated with natural beauty, like pubic hair (big turn on). Though, i don't get why would they be ashamed of their foreskins. Its natural and it looks good.
Could it be that the retracted foreskin tradition started as an indication of having a well functioned foreskin with easy access to clean?

 

[wowitsbetter]

Although I've always been more interested in this topic for its "sexiness" rather than out of academic curiosity, the comments from you guys are giving me new viewpoints to psychologically/socially/historically look into it.
I think this foreskin-related phenomenon is a result of many factors, possibly including our public bath culture, our group-oriented (in contrast to individual-oriented) society, Asian dicks being relatively small, foreskin itself being hard to understand (compared to other manhood features like penis size or pubic hair), and so on. Of course it is reasonable to think that not everything comes from unique aspects of Japan and that this custom partly shares the same concept with circumcision in other parts of the world or other times of the human history.
As satyr pointed out, hygiene might have been one important factor in the history. But when some Japanese people of the modern era say your glans should always be exposed, I think they are usually talking about adulthood, not cleanliness. (Though when they say you should get out of phimosis, hygiene is the main reason.) I've seen covered dicks referred to as "stinky" or "dirty" (often jokingly) in fictions and in real life, but I don't know which came first - the sought for cleanliness or the hatred for foreskin. Today, many websites and other education resources are correctly telling teenagers that if you can wash it thoroughly, the length of the foreskin will not be a problem.

I'm hoping to hear more of your thoughts and experiences!

 

[Luvcutdick]

Although I've always been more interested in this topic for its "sexiness" rather than out of academic curiosity, the comments from you guys are giving me new viewpoints to psychologically/socially/historically look into it.
I think this foreskin-related phenomenon is a result of many factors, possibly including our public bath culture, our group-oriented (in contrast to individual-oriented) society, Asian dicks being relatively small, foreskin itself being hard to understand (compared to other manhood features like penis size or pubic hair), and so on. Of course it is reasonable to think that not everything comes from unique aspects of Japan and that this custom partly shares the same concept with circumcision in other parts of the world or other times of the human history.
As satyr pointed out, hygiene might have been one important factor in the history. But when some Japanese people of the modern era say your glans should always be exposed, I think they are usually talking about adulthood, not cleanliness. (Though when they say you should get out of phimosis, hygiene is the main reason.) I've seen covered dicks referred to as "stinky" or "dirty" (often jokingly) in fictions and in real life, but I don't know which came first - the sought for cleanliness or the hatred for foreskin. Today, many websites and other education resources are correctly telling teenagers that if you can wash it thoroughly, the length of the foreskin will not be a problem.

I'm hoping to hear more of your thoughts and experiences!

I like your very well articulated response. There are many cultural factors at play on different sides of the world.

I was cut at age 19 because Routine Infant Circumcision ( RIC ) was the norm in my year of birth, 1954, in Canada.

I felt the odd one out; that is why I wanted to be circ'd. And then I recently began to read about the Japanese culture towards foreskins; completely different.

I really like their concept of the foreskin ring. It allows you to keep your head exposed and clean from urine and possible smegma build up. Yet continue to have get the enjoyment of the foreskin rolling over the head, especially during masturbation.

Had that been available back when I was 19 perhaps I would have not be cut.

My circ was not high and tight as I would have preferred. It is a little looser, lower and I have a frenulem. Sometimes the looser foreskin will roll over the base of the head of the glans; very annoying. I consulted 2 doctors on a circ revision.

By chance I discovered that if I took an expandable silicone cock ring and used it as a glans ring, it was very effective in keeping the looser skin off the base of my glans. In fact I wear it 24/7 and take it off daily to wash when I shower. I LOVE it.

I have been looking at Senslip which is a pseudo foreskin, made in England. I'm think of trying it just to enjoy the rolling action of the foreskin over the head.

My bottom line on circumcision; let the guy make the decision. Do away with RIC; provide an infrastructure that enables this protocol that supports easy and readily available adult circumcision. Also, educate on the glans ring benefit. It would help to eliminate this cut vs uncut North American culture and attitude that foreskins are bad. Our grandsons were not cut; the decision will be theirs.

I have found this thread to be immensely interesting and also looking at other comments on it.

Luvcutdick

 

[Flotiz]

Although I live in a country where circumcision is rare, I often like to leave the glans uncovered. I am not ashamed of my foreskin, nor do I think it is overly ugly. However, for aesthetic reasons, I prefer an exposed glans.

 

[new2day]

As you said with the bath culture, there is perhaps a link to showing you are a man, and that you are clean? Perhaps it is a sexual thing too, showing your glans to others, something that is usually hidden away.

Circumcision isn't that popular in the UK, certainly not among younger people. I've been to several nude beaches, nudists swims and clubs and do notice people like to take a look at my circumcised penis. It's not big, so that can't be the reason! Having your glans exposed does hint of being sexually aroused maybe?

 

[camchain]

Although I live in a country where circumcision is rare, I often like to leave the glans uncovered. I am not ashamed of my foreskin, nor do I think it is overly ugly. However, for aesthetic reasons, I prefer an exposed glans.

100% agree with you there, Just like me, glad i am not on my own. And what a beautiful penis you have Flotis just wonderful.

 

[Uncle Albert]

Although I live in a country where circumcision is rare, I often like to leave the glans uncovered. I am not ashamed of my foreskin, nor do I think it is overly ugly. However, for aesthetic reasons, I prefer an exposed glans.

I was the same. I experimented with keeping my foreskin back for a while and enjoyed it. I hit the age of about 19 and decided that I would keep it permanently retracted. I honestly believe my penis was still growing until at least my mid twenties, and I felt that from 19 and leaving foreskin retracted, my foreskin learnt to stay back itself as my penis continued to grow out and away from it. After some time my foreskin stayed back permanently and would retract naturally itself if I pulled it forwards. Unless in exceptional cold or sporting circumstances. Though immediately after that event or return to warmth, i would feel it retract to its now home position behind my glans.

I kept it retracted because I much preferred the look, and also the constant reassuring reminder of the sensations of my head rubbing clothing as I go about my daily routine. My movements causing some pleasure was amazing. Also I felt more of an adult, for me the feeling of being fully exposed felt more grown up. Also I was maturing sexually at the same time of my life, so those feelings would go hand in hand for me.

My wife assumed I was circumcised when she first saw my penis and it was something we spoke about briefly. Though she had no preference to cut or uncut.

At the age of 25 i was having more sex than ever, and still managing to masturbate two or three times a day too. My penis became sore as a result and it was always the inner skin or what would be my foreskin that would become uncomfortable. I went to the doctor's with this and was offered a circumcision. I was happy to accept because although I loved my penis, how it worked, and also the fact the head was almost constantly exposed, i wanted the skin to be tighter on my shaft. I accepted the offer of being cut and went through with the procedure. I am happy with he results and in a way wish I had been circumcised earlier but also enjoyed the journey to get to where I am.


This thread is a really enjoyable read as the culture in Japan seems to mirror my personal experiences with foreskin. It's not a subject you really chat much about in the UK as face to face chats about penis's is a bit taboo. Without a platform like this i wouldn't have found others in the English speaking world that are similar to myself, let alone a while Japanese culture.