Posted: 10/15/2006 7:56:48 PM EDT
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Ask most people and they will tell you (if they know) that it refers to the red light district of Yoshiwara in Edo Period Japan (1600–1867). In addition to be the licensed red-light district, it was also an importat cultural center. The area's brothels, teahouses and kabuki theatres were frequented by Japan's growing middle class. The famous Japanese woodblock prints known as ukiyo-e, or "pictures of the Floating World", depict scenes of the Floating World: geisha, kabuki actors, sumo wrestlers, samurai, and prostitutes. But just as the "Kami Kaze" was far more than a hurricane which destroyed a Mongol invasion, the "floating world" was much more than just a "place and time." It was a literal place, but it was also a metaphysical location such as some peoples concept of Heaven. It was this "other worldly" location that one was transported to when they visited the "Floating World." And it is mostly related to sexual pleasure. Although the "floating world" could be accessed by other art forms and activities, in the generic sense it had a sexual connotation. The "floating world" is that state of "dreamlike reality" most of us experienced during our early sexual encounters, especially if we were young. It is these ethereal experiences which are called the "floating world." It is akin to the concept of astro projection where you go to "another place." And the Japanese observed at the height of ecstasy, they seemingly did just that. The "floating world" is also the place you go to in your greatest daydreams and when you recall your fondest memories. And I imagine it is that experience (or something close to it), which is the goal of a drug induced high. Although the nature of these two "escapes" from present reality are markedly different. I remember when I first discovered the "floating world", although at the time I had no idea what it was called. I was thirteen and my early sexual experiences were my escape from my problems. My parents were always fighting (would lead to divorce in a couple years), my grades were for shit and I had stress related health problems (I won't blame both of those on my parents fighting exclusively but I believe they did contribute). I had two escapes. One was the practice of martial arts which I nearly poured my existence into (it kept me occupied and away from home) and my first sexual encounters with my girlfriend. The latter was my great escape. She would sneak over late at night and time seemed to slow and a few times it seemed to produce an out of body experience (I'm talking mental not literal). But it was constantly dreamlike and on more than one occassion I had to remind myself that it was reality and happening right now. Of course as I became more sexually experienced I lost contact with the "floating world" and my sexual encounters became as real and common as any other activity which no longer "took me away." And it would be many more years before I would even notice or recall how things were different at first. Many years after that I would learn of the Japanese concept of the "floating world" and understood it completely. Since that time I have been able to return on occassion. When things are going good I can leave the "here and now" and let the experience "take me away." Must be what all those women in the Calgon bath products commercials are trying to do. SteyrAUG - Mental Resident of The Floating World. |
