The concept of male beauty in Japan

We already know that Japan is totally different from the West, which results in different beauty tastes. What is considered beautiful in Japan is completely different from what is considered in Brazil or other countries. In this article, we will examine male beauty in Japan, understand what girls like, and what fashion style and appearance popular Japanese men adopt.

I don’t even need to make it clear that taste is something personal! So just because I’m mentioning something in the article, it doesn’t mean it’s 100% like that, especially with the westernization of the country, things are changing quickly and diversifying even more. For example, even sumo wrestlers in the past were considered sexy, they had beautiful wives. Nowadays, many young girls like boys who look like girls.

How is a man considered beautiful and sexy in Japan?

Some women find attractive those men with narrow eyes, thin lips, a narrow chin, and well-defined Asian features. Others like men who are somewhat Western, with round eyes and long eyelashes resembling Europeans. In Japan, there is no idea of a macho man; many Japanese women prefer gentle men.

Women find men with smooth skin, androgynous looks, and elaborate dyed hair cute. One just needs to notice this style in the bands popular among young people. Some even claim that their hair should float! Even cooking skills have become a highlight that women notice in men. Today’s women expect men to be sensitive, clean, and sexy, rather than rich.

In Japan, some men spend more money on cosmetics than women. They are increasingly obsessed with their skin. While in the past, samurai and sumo wrestlers shaved at least half of their heads, nowadays Japanese men suffering from baldness resort to products, medications, and even wigs. Research says that almost half of the male population in Japan does not consider it a problem for men to wear makeup.

Beards, mustaches, and facial hair are not common in Japan. This is because they do not grow much on Japanese men, and it is also discouraged in workplaces. In a way, there are prohibitions and complaints about people with beards in various areas of Japan. Some resort to fake beards and mustaches to wear outside of work. Nowadays, more and more men are using bags, diamond jewelry, and accessories.

Results of the concept of male beauty in Japan

This masculine idea of beauty has brought about various strange results. Nowadays, there are men’s beauty salons that offer body hair removal, skin cleansing, manicures, and even makeup classes. Among the most popular are facial treatments with mud, leg hair removal, and eyebrow shaping. The increase in sales of male cosmetics has caused a decline in sales of alcoholic beverages, cigarettes, flashy cars, and even greasy meals from restaurants.

This concept of male fashion has also resulted in herbivore men, who do not like to drink, do not date and have sex and are somewhat effeminate. Some men even buy bras and say they feel more relaxed. Others dress in women’s clothing, even without being interested in men. Some even date and share clothes with their girlfriends. Even famous singers appear on stage wearing high-heeled shoes, sequined pants, and carrying teddy bears.

In general, it is true that Japanese girls tend to like an androgynous figure in the style of visual kei. This concept of beauty is not something new, but also has cultural roots. We can observe this in kabuki theater. In the past, daimyos and famous masters were praised for their beautiful faces and makeup. So we can conclude that masculinity in Japan is not defined by physical appearance. And remember! This does not mean that all Japanese women like somewhat androgynous men, who are not the majority.

The true concept of male beauty in Japan

It is true that in Japan, large muscles and a tall, macho appearance are not necessary. But that does not mean that Japanese men do not possess aggressive and dominant attitudes. The long history of Japan and the samurai clearly shows how Japanese people are full of devotion, disciplined, confident, and hardworking. The problem is that some attitudes common in the West can be seen as rudeness. Japanese women do like bold and confident men, but they first look for sensitive, attentive, and elegant men.

Even though this is the ideal man for Japanese women, most men care little about their appearance. It is much more common to find Japanese men with neat hair and formal clothing than the concept we discussed in this article. Even young people in school are guided to follow a beauty standard, and this standard continues into adulthood at work. Most men that women consider beautiful and elegant are found more in the fashion, music, and dance areas with singers and idols. Since these men end up being unattainable for some women, they resort to hostess where they meet men with this appearance.

Japanese women and women in general look at a man’s personality first and then his appearance. So it doesn’t matter if we are handsome, have huge blonde hair, or wear colorful clothes that stand out. As long as we are well-groomed, we will be considered beautiful, even if it is just by one Japanese woman. Did you like the article? We would love to hear your comments and have your share! xD