The sexual body techniques of early and medieval China – underlying emic theories and basic methods of a non-reproductive sexual scenario for non-same-sex partners

Abstract

The sexual body techniques of early and medieval China are treated heuristically to form a sexual scenario for non-same-sex partners that is discussed in (1) textual sources dating from approximately 200 BCE to 1000 CE. These texts were transmitted and reformulated throughout this period as part of the wider sexual knowledge culture of imperial China (Wells and Yao Ping 2015; Yao Ping 2018). Minimal referential series of short extracts taken from such primary sources will be presented in a historical order to illustrate some fairly consistent basic ideas, concepts, theories and practical advice documented therein.This concise review discusses (2) general aspects of the sexual scenario of early and medieval China in which gender-specifc roles during the sexual encounter must be emphasised. As 'essence' is considered to be the most precious generative fuid in the human body, men are advised to (3) deal with male essence as a scarce good, and thus learn to avoid emission and ejaculation during a sexual encounter. In stark contrast to this male preoccupation with containment, women are thought to be a superior source of nourishment. (4) Repeated female ejaculation provides the 'female essence' that can be absorbed by the man. (5) Performing a sexual encounter means mutual stimulation to this end during foreplay and onset phase, followed by a series of penetrative 'advances' with 'intermissions', and culminating in a 'grand fnale'. Textual sources to a sexual knowledge culture, 200 BCE to 1000 CETangible textual evidence for sexual body techniques comes early in China -about fve hundred years before the Indian Kāmasūtra, which is considered to date from circa 300 CE