Packaging desires: The unmentionables of Japanese film

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

Abstract

Does the English word “unmentionables” really not mention? Are certain nether regions actually hidden by the Japanese phrase (kakushi dokoro, lit. the hidden place)? In practice, these terms do not hide and do not not-mention; rather they are the means by which private parts are publicized. They signify something that has been deemed worthy of hiding or packaging in euphemism. When the collective speakers of the words have decided something ought to be hidden or disguised, language changes to accommodate. When the language signals what ought not to be mentioned, how aware is an individual speaker of the continued hiding performed by the words? When do these euphemisms cease to function as euphemisms for something else? How does filmic language recast these terms of apophasis?.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationPerversion and Modern Japan
Subtitle of host publicationPsychoanalysis, Literature, Culture
PublisherTaylor and Francis
Pages273-307
Number of pages35
ISBN (Electronic)9781134031542
ISBN (Print)9780415469104
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1 2010

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General Arts and Humanities
  • General Psychology
  • General Social Sciences

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Packaging desires: The unmentionables of Japanese film'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this