In a couple English-language historical fiction books I've read that take place in Japan (around 1600s and 1700s), the term "pillowing" is used to refer to sex. Is that an accurate translation, and did courtesans call it something different than the samurai class? | AskHistorians Archive Observer

In a couple English-language historical fiction books I've read that take place in Japan (around 1600s and 1700s), the term "pillowing" is used to refer to sex. Is that an accurate translation, and did courtesans call it something different than the samurai class?

by star_slayer

Also, what was the historical Japanese word for sex that "pillowing" is translated from? (Written in rōmaji, please.) Thanks!

Yossarion

I'm guessing one of the works you're referring to is James Clavell's Shogun? According to this text that someone linked me to when I asked a question about the book 'pillowing' doesn't really have a Japanese equivalent. Clavell chose it because it properly conveyed what he was trying to get across.