When discussing the unique cultures and customs of different parts of the world, it is not difficult to find that each ethnic group has its own unique traditions. Some traditions may be surprising, while others may be thought-provoking. For example, Americans' taboos on Friday and the 13th, or Thailand's Songkran Festival, are all part of the culture. Today, we are going to talk about a rather special and controversial tradition in Japanese history - "night crawling". This custom lasted in Japan for hundreds of years until it was abolished in the 20th century. What exactly is "night crawling"? How does it affect people's lives? And how is it gradually abandoned by people? With these questions, let's take a deep dive into this dusty history.
The custom of "night crawling" can be traced back to the tribal days of Japan, when people lived together and shared resources and space. In this mode of life, there are not too many constraints between men and women, and people choose partners more based on mutual liking and needs. It can be said that night crawling at that time was more like a natural social behavior, without much moral judgment.
Over time, especially during the Tang Dynasty, Japan began to introduce and learn a lot from Chinese culture and institutions, including marriage decrees. According to these decrees, marriage became the basic unit of society, and improper relations between men and women were considered adultery and were punishable by law. During this period, legal restrictions on "night crawling" began to appear in Japanese society.
However, the provisions of the law have not completely eradicated the custom of "night crawling". In the Middle Ages, Japan experienced the centuries-long Sengoku period, which was characterized by social upheaval and a sharp decline in population. In order to quickly restore the population, leaders in some places have had to turn a blind eye and acquiesce in or even encourage the practice of "night crawling". In this context, night crawling has become a special social mechanism aimed at promoting population growth through freer sexual relations.
By the Edo period, although the society was ostensibly more stable and the population problem was no longer as urgent as it was during the Warring States period, "night crawling" as a custom still quietly spread in some places. Especially in remote mountain villages or small islands, due to the isolation of geographical location and the lack of information, this custom is even maintained as a traditional culture of the village.
With the further development and opening up of society, the import of foreign culture, and the improvement of people's education level, the custom of "night crawling" gradually seems incompatible. More and more people are questioning and reflecting on the ethical and legal issues behind this behavior. The gradual improvement of women's status and their awareness of their rights have also challenged the unilateral male-dominated behavior of "night crawling". Especially in the 20th century, with the rise of the women's liberation movement and the popularization of the idea of democracy and the rule of law, the bad habit of "crawling at night" was finally openly criticized and resisted.
In the middle of the 20th century, with the improvement of Japanese laws and the influence of the international community, the custom of "night crawling" was finally officially abolished. Although there was a lot of controversy and opposition along the way, in the end, the sense of justice and respect for human rights in society triumphed. Since then, "night crawling" has become a footnote in history, and people's memories of it have gradually faded.
In today's Japan, most of the younger generation may not know what "night crawling" is. This is not only because of the changes of the times, but also because of the progress of society and culture. Because of this, it is all the more important for us to remember this history, not to blame the past, but to better look at the present and think about the future.
Returning to the original question, why has "night crawling" lasted so long in Japan? What social phenomena and cultural characteristics are reflected behind it? What enlightenment does the existence and eventual abolition of this custom bring to our society and culture today? These questions deserve our in-depth discussion.
By reviewing and analyzing the origin, development and abolition of the special custom of "night crawling", it is not difficult to find that the culture and customs of any society are constantly changing and evolving. They may have originated from a specific historical background and met the social needs of a certain period, but with the passage of time and the changes in the social environment, these customs must also be adjusted accordingly or even completely changed.
The story of "Night Crawling" reminds us that the inheritance of culture is not static, but should be a process of constantly adapting to the development of the times. It is the responsibility of people of all ages to examine and evaluate traditions, to preserve their essence, to remove their dross, and to make them more in line with the values and moral standards of modern society. In this way, we can ensure that society moves forward and progresses, and that the diversity and richness of culture are passed on and flourished.