Barazoku

Barazoku (薔薇族) is one of Japan's oldest and longest running monthly magazines for gay men. The title means "rose tribe," or "the rose tribe."

Gay magazines in Japan, along with much gay culture, are segregated by "type"; most are aimed at an audience with specific interests. Barazoku usually has approximately 300 pages, including several pages of glossy colour and some black and white photographs of younger, fit men in their late teens and twenties (these photographs are censored in accordance with Japan's rules, which require the obscuring of genitals and pubic hair). Despite the inclusion of pornographic pictures, however, Barazoku is not a pornographic magazine.

Each month there are articles of interest to the gay male community in Japan, including advice; how-tos; short fiction; interviews; news; arts, fashion and entertainment news; and community listings. There are usually several different stories in comic form as well, and advertisements from gay-related and gay-friendly businesses such as spas, clubs and hotels, bars, cafes and restaurants, host bars (hustler bars), brothels, and so forth.

Readers can also place personal ads free of charge, and each month there are several pages of these, most from men in search of romantic attachments, friends or sex partners. Such ads have long been a popular way for gay men to meet each other in Japan, though text messaging and the internet are probably more popular now.

The magazine is printed in Japanese only, and currently sells for ¥1300.

External link

Barazoku homepage www.barazoku.co.jp