Early Modem Japan

Indiana University turned into a hot spot for the research of sexuality in Edo culblre when it hosted the international conference. "Sexuality and Edo Culture. 17S0-1850" from August 17 to 20. 1995. As the organizer. Sumie Jones. mentioned in her opening remarks, sexuality in Edo cUlnare has been largely ignored by ~~cs in d)e U.S. and. to an even greater extent, Japan. The conference was designed to not only cast new light on the study of Edo Culnare within the U.S. and Europe but to also stimulate the scholar pursuing hisJber esearch from within Japan. Over tWenty scholars from the U.S.. Europe. Japan and ~ with specialties in lite~. sociology. folklore. history and an history were invited to speak. during the conference. The international and multi-disciplinary collaborations and conversations encouraged by the mix of Iapan specialists and non-specialists provided an ideal forum for the study of multi-layered Edo culture. Over three days, papers were loosely grouped into seven panels: "Positioning Shunga Historically," "Eros and Consumerism," "Otherness Within and Without. .. '"The Place of Love," "Configurations of Gender," "The Rhythm and Play of Flesh and Woms," and