Introduction
What comes to mind when you hear the word self-pleasure?
Embarrassment? Shame? Guilt?
In Japan, the word is often associated with “masturbation” and even called a form of self-harm (in Japanese, sometimes referred to as “自虐行為”).
But I’ve come to realize something important:
Self-pleasure is not a form of self-harm. It is a form of self-care and self-love.
“I don’t have a partner I can trust” — That’s where it started
I started exploring self-pleasure more deeply when I realized I didn’t have a partner I could feel truly safe with.
In that solitude, I began to gently touch myself—not out of loneliness or desire, but as a way to reconnect with my own body and feelings.
Surprisingly, it brought comfort.
It felt like a form of meditation, a sacred act of soothing my own heart.
Awakening the Womb Chakra Through Sensory Awareness
The womb—our sacred center of creation, intuition, and joy—holds a deep spiritual energy.
As women begin to tune into their sensations through gentle self-touch,
the sacral chakra (or womb chakra) begins to open.
It’s not about chasing pleasure, but about affirming:
“I am here.” “I am allowed to feel.” “I deserve love and safety in my own body.”
This process isn’t just physical—it’s deeply emotional and spiritual.
What is Mindful Self-Touch?
Mindful self-touch is not about release or fantasy.
It’s about being present with yourself—your skin, breath, heartbeat, and emotions.
Here’s how it works:
Breathe deeply and slowly Feel the temperature and texture of your own body Acknowledge sensations: warmth, pleasure, tension, numbness Accept everything without judgment Touch yourself with love and kindness
It’s like holding your own heart through your hands.
How is Self-Pleasure Viewed Abroad?
In countries like the Netherlands, the UK, and Sweden,
self-pleasure is recognized as a natural, healthy part of self-discovery and self-respect.
In the Netherlands, sex education starts at age 4. Children learn about love, touch, safety, and saying “no” in age-appropriate ways.
In the UK, “Relationships and Sex Education (RSE)” is a required subject, focusing not just on biology but also on emotional well-being, consent, and diversity.
Can Self-Pleasure Reduce Sexual Violence?
I believe it can.
If more men were able to satisfy their sexual needs in healthy, self-aware ways—
not through domination or power over others, but through self-responsibility and emotional connection with themselves—
we might see fewer instances of sexual harm in society.
Understanding and owning one’s sexuality leads to respect for others’ boundaries and deeper empathy.
What I Truly Want to Say
Self-pleasure is not something to hide or feel ashamed of.
It’s a way of reconnecting with yourself. Of honoring your needs. Of embracing your body and soul.
Sadly, Japan’s sex education still lags behind in teaching about self-love, pleasure, and consent.
But we, the adults, can begin changing that by reclaiming our bodies and rewriting the narrative.
Let’s start with ourselves.
Final Thoughts
To those who still feel shame or guilt around touching their own body,
I want to gently whisper this:
Your body belongs to you.
Your feelings are sacred.
You are allowed to feel, to heal, to love yourself.
That’s where true empowerment begins.
✨Words to Remember
“Sex is not just an act—it’s a way of being.”
When you connect with yourself, you can truly connect with others.