Sakuran is a live-action film released in Japan in 2007. It is an adaptation of a manga series written by Moyoco Anno. The narrative follows the story of a young girl who rises through the complex hierarchy of the red-light district of Yoshiwara and eventually becomes an oiran—the highest-ranking courtesan. The film’s rich atmosphere is further enhanced by a striking soundtrack composed by Sheena Ringo. The story is both a historical reflection and a commentary on the rigid gender dynamics that have shaped, and continue to shape, our societies.
Religions and the supposed impurity of women as one of the reasons for sex inequity
When humans are faced with the unknown, they tend to create stories that reinforce their existing beliefs. This was true in ancient times, when Zeus was blamed for thunderstorms or when offerings were made to Demeter during difficult agricultural seasons. It was also the case with menstruation—something not scientifically understood until very recently. Religious interpretations of menstruation as impurity contributed to systemic inequality, painting women as unclean or lesser. While Japan has been less influenced by the Abrahamic religions that codified such beliefs, it has not escaped the grip of patriarchal bias. The stories revealed in The Black Box Diaries and incidents such as the Fuji Television scandal show that deep-rooted inequity persists, and we are still far from a society where such injustice feels truly alien to the human mind.
The natural differences in thinking between sexes can be used to balance each other
Genetic makeup inevitably results in different patterns of thought. It is well documented that the brains of men and women function differently, and that linguistic and cultural environments activate distinct regions in the brain depending on gender and upbringing. This diversity in thought processes should be viewed not as a limitation, but as a necessary complement for holistic decision-making. Including women in spaces of influence and strategy is not about ticking a box—it’s about bringing essential, alternative insights that are biologically and culturally rooted in a different lived experience. A table with only one kind of thinker is incomplete by nature.
To put it simply, men inclined toward displays of strength and dominance may lean toward conflict and war when faced with challenges. In contrast, women often gravitate toward empathy, understanding, and preservation. These are not stereotypes, but tendencies shaped by centuries of evolution and societal roles. When both are present at the decision-making table, options multiply, and solutions often become more sustainable. A compassionate perspective is not a weakness; it’s a different form of strength—one that prioritizes long-term peace over short-term gain.
When we finally understand the suffering created by choosing the path of war, the suffering of those living in poverty, it becomes easier to understand that there is a need to balance the choices made by the governments. Our societies, even today, remain overwhelmingly patriarchal. This lopsidedness is a major reason many of our global crises remain unresolved. When decisions are made solely through a masculine lens, the collateral damage—poverty, displacement, ecological collapse—is often minimized or ignored. But when we allow both masculine and feminine energies to guide us, there is room for a kind of progress that nurtures instead of destroys.
What do you think? Could embracing both matriarchal and patriarchal principles in leadership be the solution to a more balanced and compassionate world? Share your thoughts below.
#tales-posts
Leave a Reply