Hanaotō

**Hanaotō** (花男; はなおとう] is a historical Kantonese term for a male prostitute. It was almost never used outside of the pleasure districts of Kaimon, although throughout the 18th and 19th centuries it became pervasive in poetry and literature as a word describing a sexually attractive or alluring young man.

In their work, *hanaotō* were virtually indistinguishable from *shōshin*, wearing the same clothes, hairstyles and accessories; however, they were often untrained in any performing arts and did not wear makeup or have access to expensive fabrics. Hanaotō were usually young, aged from sixteen to twenty-five, and becoming more sought-after the more youthful and 'innocent' they appeared. The trend of shaving one's eyebrows, which is generally recognised as a *meiri* trademark, originated from the practices of the *hanaotō*, as a lack of eyebrows created a look of naivety and youth.

## Appearance and work

*Hanaotō* meant 'flower boy', and referred to the subtle beauty which the young men were supposed to emit. In reality, the majority of *hanaotō* were not particularly beautiful or even attractive, especially those from lower-class families, and often suffered health defects associated with malnourishment and a poor upbringing. However, they did put effort into improving their appearances, notably by shaving their eyebrows, and letting their hair grow out to the point where it could be 'dressed' in a number of simplistic styles. Often it did not matter much if a *hanaotō* was unattractive, as the word *hanaotō* itself came to have a weight beyond the association with sex workers, and by the 1700s it referred often to men who had a understated, beautiful or unique quality to them, such as a flower.

*Hanaotō* worked in much the same way as *banme*, low-class female prostitutes. Interestingly historical records indicate that they saw nearly as many female clients as male, although the popularity of *hanaotō* as outlets for closeted gay men was undeniable. Hanaotō did not work on contracts but often lived and worked completely alone, unsupported by family or managers. Although confined to the streets of the pleasure districts, *hanaotō* were often able to travel outside of these areas due to their lack of identity and low status. However, they were often recognisable for their lack of eyebrows and their long hair. There are a number of tales from the 1768 comic novel *Sparrow Mountain* by Wakaro Hanayama concerning men who mistook *hanaotō* for women and took them to bed, only to be shocked and alarmed once they undressed.

## Sexuality

From the 1500s through to the early 1900s, adolescent boys were considered suitable objects of erotic desire for women and men alike, regardless of age. However, love between two *hanaotō* was considered taboo and highly unnatural. It is also clear that *hanaotō* were the objects of desire for homosexuals of the time, who (although Kantonese society was mostly accepting of homosexual activity until the 1900s) were often unable to engage in meaningful relationships with other men and typically resorted to paying for sexual favours. There are multiple accounts of *hanaotō* falling in love with their clients (or vice versa), and the two running away together.