Something very odd is going on in Japan.
Increasing numbers of its young people are asexual. Not only are they shunning the idea of marriage and having children, as many as 1 in 4 unmarried men and women in their 30s say they have never had sex.
But a Japanese young man has gone to the extreme.
A self-described “asexual,” the 22-year-old man had his genitals surgically excised, cooked them, and served them with mushrooms to five paying diners to cover his medical costs.
Mao Sugiyama
The Agence France-Presse reports today (May 25, 2012), that 22-year-old Japanese artist, Mao Sugiyama, had his penis and testicles surgically removed by a physician in March and kept them frozen for two months.
Sugiyama, who considers himself “asexual”, that is without gender, initially thought about eating the genitals himself, but decided to solicit paying customers to help pay his hospital bills for the surgery.
After assuring his customers that the frozen genitals had been certified to be free of infections, Sugiyama seasoned and braised the meat under the supervision of a certified cook, then served it to five customers at an event hall on May 13.
The diners were required to sign a waiver indemnifying Sugiyama and event organizers. Each diner paid 20,000 yen ($250) for a plate of genitals à la Sugiyama, with mushrooms and a parsley garnish.
Gag Alert!!!!
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Literal translations for kanji above the first arrow from the left: “Gold jade” (penis?); kanji above second arrow from the left: “Jade pocket” (testicle?)
In May 18 tweets, Sugiyama said steps were taken so the act met all relevant laws, including a ban on organ sales, processing of medical waste and even food sanitation requirements.
Police in Tokyo said they knew of the episode, but added that it had not broken the law as cannibalism is not illegal in Japan. An officer at Suginami police station told AFP: “We are aware of the case. There was nothing (criminal) to it. It does not violate any detailed rules. There is nothing to take action about.”
In an email to AFP, the genitals-less Sugiyama confirmed the event had taken place and said it was to raise awareness about “sexual minorities, x-gender, asexual people”. He said he was readying to publish an official account of the day.
In a May 19 tweet, Sugiyama wrote: “I receive questions from some women and men… asking ‘Will there be a next time? Please host it again.’ But there is only one set of male organ. Unfortunately, I have no plan for the next time.”
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After reading this account of utter depravity, we need a reminder that there is still innocence in this world. Click here for a mind cleanser!
~Eowyn
