Sada Abe

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TAISHO-ROU 大正楼、阿部定が最後に勤めた遊郭、P9200158

Sada Abe

The scene of the Abe Sada Incident

Sada Abe (阿部 定, Abe Sada, May 28, 1905 – after 1971) was a Japanese woman who is remembered for erotically asphyxiating her lover, Kichizo Ishida (石田 吉蔵), on May 18, 1936, and then cutting off his genitals and carrying them around with her in her kimono. The incident shocked Japanese society and has been the subject of numerous books, movies, and scholarly articles, making Sada Abe an infamous figure in Japanese culture.

Early Life

Sada Abe was born in Tokyo, the youngest of four siblings. Coming from a respectable family, her life took a tumultuous turn due to her early engagement in casual sex and prostitution, which was against the norms of the conservative Japanese society of the time. Her work in various brothels and restaurants in Tokyo's red-light district, Yoshiwara, exposed her to the city's underworld.

The Incident

The relationship between Sada Abe and Kichizo Ishida, a married man and the owner of a restaurant where Abe worked, was intensely passionate and increasingly obsessive. Their affair is noted for its intensity, with both partners engaging in erotic asphyxiation, which ultimately led to Ishida's death in a Tokyo inn. Following the murder, Abe severed Ishida's genitals, wrapped them in a magazine cover, and kept them with her until her arrest three days later.

Arrest and Trial

Sada Abe was arrested on May 20, 1936. During her interrogation and trial, she claimed that she killed Ishida in a fit of passion, wanting to ensure that no other woman could have him. Her trial became a media sensation in Japan, highlighting issues of sexuality, freedom, and the changing roles of women in Japanese society. Abe was found guilty and sentenced to six years in prison, but her sentence was later commuted, and she was released after serving five years.

Later Life and Legacy

After her release, Sada Abe drifted into obscurity, living under various aliases and working odd jobs. Her story, however, continued to fascinate the public and inspired numerous adaptations in literature, film, and theater. Abe's life has been interpreted through various lenses, including those of feminism, psychoanalysis, and post-war Japanese identity.

Cultural Impact

Sada Abe's story is a complex narrative that challenges traditional views on sexuality, morality, and femininity in Japan. It has been the subject of extensive analysis and debate, reflecting broader societal changes and tensions in 20th-century Japan. Her story remains a poignant example of the destructive potential of obsessive love and the societal fascination with crime and sexuality.