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TRIGGER WARNING: The following article addresses sexual assault/harassment.
One ofDandadan’smost disturbing encounters occurs in season 1, episode 12, “Let’s Go to the Cursed House,” when Momo is preyed on by several adult men in a mixed-gender hot spring. Before the men pursue Momo, they ask her about “gators,” a slang term for predatory men in hot springs.Dandadanfans unfamiliar with Japanese culture may wonder where this term comes from.
“Gator” is the English translation of the Japanese word" Wani," a lizard-like creature in Japanese mythology. Whilemixed-gender hot springs are less commontoday, people who stalk them to view naked bodies are called “Wani otoko” or “crocodile men.” Keep reading to learn more about gators, mixed-gender onsen, and how the cultural practice of mixed-gender bathing waned in Japan.
Mixed Gender Hot Springs Are Rare in Modern Japan
While co-ed bathing was once common in Japan, the practice has diminished in popularity since the 1800s. This change is due to reactions from Western cultures that considered nudity a taboo in the 1800s. Still, some mixed-gender onsen have survived the test of time.
Mixed Gender Onsen Have Existed Since the Ninth Century
The practice of mixed-gender bathing, known as “Konyoku,” has existed in Japan since the ninth century. It was a fixture of Japanese cultureduring the Edo period (1603-1868).Public bathhouses served as meeting places where men and women, young and old, could come together and relax.
Communal bathing reflects the significance of community in Japanese culture. Unlike Western cultures like the US, which champion individualism, Japanese social convention views individuals as part of a greater whole. Everyone plays a part in bettering their community. This concept is known as ““wa”” which roughly translates to the feeling of harmony within a group.
Since konyoku serves as a communal experience, its rules emphasize respect. Looking at others bodies with curiosity is a no-go, all bathers must shower before entering the spring, and patrons may not submerge their heads below water. The honor given to these rules allows bathers to share space while nude with each other without their bodies getting objectified. In short, the Japanese maintained a neutral stance on nudity.
Western Culture Dismissed Mixed Gender Onsen
Unfortunately, the tradition of konyoku decreased significantly during the Meiji Restoration (1868) when Western cultures, like the US and Britain, viewed the practice with disdain. These cultures had more puritanical views of nudity, often conflating it with sex. Therefore, the idea of people bathing together, especially those of the opposite sex, was frowned upon.
Many public bathhouses shiftedto gender-segregated bathing in the 20th century to accommodate Western tastes. By the 1950s, mixed-gender onsen became exclusive to remote areas of Japan. However, some mixed-gender onsen offers fixed hours for women-only bathing to help protect patrons and set their minds at ease.
“Gators” Are Perverts That Stalk Hot Springs
While mixed-gender bathing is a respectful and modest practice, there are some ne’er do wells who act against tradition. For instance,the predators who ambushed Momoat the co-ed hot spring are colloquially called “gators.”
The Term Is a Translation of “Wani”
Calling someone who waits silently in the water to prey on others a “gator” makes sense for a Western audience. However, crocodiles and alligators do not naturally inhabit modern-day Japan. Instead,“wani” describes a yokai in Japanese mythology.
Wani arelong, serpentine sea monstersthat resemble dragons with fins. They are omnivorous and can breathe both air and water. However, one of the most surprising facts about Wani is that they can transform into humans. Considering this fact, the idea of a wani in human form, or “wani otoko,” is unsurprising.
Dandadan
Based on Yukinobu Tatsu’s popular manga that debuted in 2021 on Shonen Jump+, Dandadan blends action, comedy, romance, and supernatural thrills to create a unique and satisfying adventure. Momo Ayase and Ken Takakura believe in the extraordinary, although the former believes in ghosts and the latter believes in aliens. Determined to confirm their side’s existence, they set out to find their proof.
