Cultural Variations

A

Ahegao hoodie

An ahegao hoodie is a controversial piece of clothing featuring a collage of facial expressions from Japanese adult animation (hentai) depicting exaggerated expressions of pleasure or ecstasy, which gained popularity as an internet meme and fashion statement despite its sexually suggestive nature.

Ahegao

Ahegao refers to an exaggerated facial expression commonly depicted in Japanese anime, manga, and adult content, characterized by rolled-back eyes, protruding tongue, and a seemingly pleasured expression meant to portray intense sexual ecstasy. This expression has become a popular internet meme and crossed over into mainstream culture, particularly in cosplay and social media communities, though it originated in adult-oriented Japanese media.

E

Erotic Plasticity

Erotic plasticity refers to the degree to which a person's sexual attitudes, behaviors, and desires can be shaped and changed by cultural, social, and situational factors. It suggests that sexuality is not entirely fixed but can be influenced and molded by external forces and personal experiences throughout one's lifetime.

F

Frenulum piercing

A frenulum piercing is a genital piercing that passes through the frenulum, which is the small ridge of tissue connecting the glans (head) of the penis to the shaft on the underside, or through the small fold of tissue beneath the tongue or clitoris. This type of body modification is considered an intimate piercing and requires careful consideration due to the sensitive nature of the tissue involved.

Futanari

Futanari is a Japanese term that refers to fictional characters, typically in anime and manga, who have both female primary and secondary sex characteristics along with male genitalia. While originating in erotic artwork and media, the term has become widely known in online spaces and reflects themes of gender nonconformity, though it should be noted that it is not representative of real intersex or transgender experiences.

G

Gender Expression

Gender expression refers to the external manifestation of one's gender identity, typically through behavior, clothing, hairstyle, voice, and body characteristics. It's the way a person presents their gender to the world, which may or may not conform to societal expectations associated with their assigned sex at birth or their gender identity.

Gokkun

Gokkun is a Japanese term and pornographic genre that involves the act of consuming or swallowing bodily fluids, particularly semen, often from multiple partners or collected in a container. While this practice appears in certain adult content, it carries significant health risks due to potential exposure to sexually transmitted infections and other pathogens.

H

Hotwife

A hotwife is a married woman who engages in sexual activities with men other than her husband, with her husband's full knowledge and consent. This practice is typically part of a consensual non-monogamous relationship dynamic where the husband derives pleasure from his wife's sexual encounters with other partners. The term "hotwife" is often used within the context of the lifestyle and swinging communities.

K

Kunyaza

Kunyaza is a traditional sexual practice originating from central Africa, particularly Rwanda and Uganda. The term roughly translates to "to urinate" or "to make squirt" in Kinyarwanda. This technique focuses on stimulating the female genitalia, especially the clitoris and labia, to enhance pleasure and potentially induce female ejaculation.

M

Mate-guarding

Mate-guarding refers to behaviors and strategies employed by individuals to maintain their romantic or sexual relationship by preventing their partner from engaging in sexual or emotional relationships with others. This behavior is rooted in evolutionary psychology and can manifest in various ways, from subtle actions to more overt displays of possessiveness or jealousy.

Mating Systems

Mating systems refer to the patterns of sexual relationships between individuals within a species or society. These systems describe how individuals pair up for reproduction and the social structures that support these pairings. In humans and other animals, mating systems can vary widely, influenced by factors such as environment, resources, and cultural norms.

N

Nuru Massage

Nuru massage is a type of erotic body-to-body massage that originated in Japan. The term "nuru" comes from the Japanese word for "slippery." In this practice, both the giver and receiver of the massage are nude, and a special nuru gel is applied to their bodies. This odorless, colorless gel is typically made from nori seaweed and is extremely slippery, allowing for full body-to-body contact and sliding movements.

O

Omorashi

Omorashi is a fetish or sexual attraction primarily focused on the feeling of having a full bladder, the desperation to urinate, or wetting oneself, which originated in Japanese fetish communities but has spread globally. While often expressed through fantasy, roleplay, or media content, it may or may not involve actual urination and typically emphasizes the psychological aspects of bladder control and release.

Orgy dome

An orgy dome is a designated space, typically at festivals or sex-positive events like Burning Man, where consenting adults can engage in group sexual activities in a safe, controlled environment. These spaces often have strict consent protocols, safety guidelines, and staff members who ensure rules are followed and participants' wellbeing is protected.

P

Polygyny

Polygyny is a form of non-monogamous relationship or marriage in which one man is married to or in a relationship with multiple women simultaneously. It's a specific type of polygamy, which is the broader term for any marriage involving multiple spouses. In polygynous relationships, the man typically takes on the role of husband to multiple wives, who may or may not be connected to each other.

S

Shibari

Shibari, also known as Kinbaku, is a Japanese-style rope bondage art that involves tying a person using intricate patterns of knots and rope work. It's both an aesthetic practice and a form of BDSM activity, combining elements of restraint, power exchange, and artistic expression. The term "Shibari" literally means "to tie" or "to bind" in Japanese.

Soaking

Soaking is a practice, primarily associated with some religious youth communities, where a penis is inserted into a vagina but remains completely still without any thrusting or movement, supposedly as a way to technically avoid having "real" sex while still engaging in intimate contact. This practice gained widespread attention on social media as a reported loophole used by some Mormon college students, though it's important to note that from a sexual health perspective, it still constitutes penetrative sex and carries the same risks as traditional intercourse.

Sumata

Sumata is a Japanese term referring to a non-penetrative sexual practice where friction and stimulation are created by rubbing genitals together, often between the thighs or other body parts, while typically remaining clothed. This practice was historically common in Japanese brothels as a way to provide sexual services while complying with anti-prostitution laws that specifically prohibited vaginal intercourse.

T

Tentacle erotica

Tentacle erotica is a niche genre of erotic art and literature, primarily originating from Japanese media, that depicts sexual encounters between humans (typically women) and tentacled creatures or beings. While historically rooted in 19th-century Japanese art, it has evolved into a recognizable subgenre of fantasy erotica in modern media, including anime, manga, and digital art.