Paper short abstract:

I explore emerging perceptions concerning intimacy care and affection among married partners, and their expression in light of widespread socio-cultural notions. I refer to research methods in the study of typically hidden aspect of life, and conclude with the case of international couples..

Paper long abstract:

Intimacy and closeness in couple relations are by no mean, newly introduced emotions in Japan; however, they tend to be perceived, conceptualized and performed differently in recent years. Inter-generational comparative view throws light on visual aspects of this perceptual shift, while cross cultural perspective brings forward cultural specific interpretations and practices concerning close relationships. At the same time, common threads, such as images of affection and care, seem to run through different societies, as the personal emotional world is globalizing through consumption and adoption of collective cross-cultural artifacts and jargon (emoticons, visual images in the internet mass media, world cinema and so forth).

Commonly in Japan, expressions of intimacy, affection and care, particularly among adults, is considered to be private, and such expressions on the public arena would most likely be labeled as improper and rude (shitsurei). However, my study explores emerging understandings and transforming expectations concerning exchange of intimacy in couple relations, both within the private realm of the house and beyond it. In my effort to outline the above trends, I was unable to conduct orthodox participant observations, and therefore tried some bypassing routes - where I soon realized how my own handling of intimacy came under curious observation. My paper addresses methodological consideration regarding the study of relatively veiled aspect of social life, and portrays how intimacy is being expressed, suppressed, communicated and exchanged among Japanese partners in urban Japan. It is based on three years fieldwork and follow-up interviews with Japanese men and women in their late twenties up to their late thirties, who live in a large city in contemporary Japan. My current interest in international couples, where one partner is Japanese and the other is not (mostly Israelis), further highlights these trends.