Gendering Sexual Pleasures in Early and Medieval China

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

The modular features seen clearly in He yin yang are less clearly visible in Secret Decisions because its modular quotations are scattered in a large compilation.

“However, in this short bamboo book all this can be scanned at a glance, whereas the same or similar features are less clearly seen in the Secret Decisions in the Jade Chamber, as its modular quotations are strewn over a large compilation.”

It may state two separate claims as one.

These texts present a psychodynamic scenario for heterosexual encounters in which the woman is depicted as fully potent, emitting fluids, ejaculating, having involuntary muscular spasms, and experiencing intense pleasure (kuài).

“The texts display a psychodynamic scenario for sexual encounters between men and women wherein the woman is staged in her full potency, as emitting fluids and ejaculating, as experiencing uncontrolled muscular spasms and having immense pleasure (kuài 快) during the enfolding events.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.

Tamba no Yasuori consistently noted his sources, citing titles and following them with yún.

“For a writer of the 10th century, Tamba noted very consequently the sources he used.Each quotation cites the title of the work, sometimes with an abbreviated or otherwise varied title of the source text; it is followed by the word yún 云”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

In Chinese medieval nourishing-life texts, pleasure and euphoria are prominent in several techniques though not necessarily central.

“Specific issues of personal wellness like pleasure and euphoria are thematised in Chinese medieval 'nourishing life' texts; they are not necessarily the most central issues discussed therein, but nevertheless occur prominently in several techniques.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

Roll 28 of Ishinpō contains 30 rubrics on sexual body techniques.

“Roll 28 contains 30 subchapters or rubrics that deal with various aspects of the sexual body techniques”

Probably not a substantial claim.

The texts require the male partner to be ready to respond appropriately to female bodily signs.

“to which the male partner should be prepared to react adequately.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

Rubrics 6-8 (Five Proofs, Five Desires, Ten Stimulations) together form a small compilation on female satisfaction.

“These form together a small compilation on female satisfaction.”

It may state two separate claims as one.

Chinese sexual body techniques separate reproduction from the sexual act and teach men to avoid emission and ejaculation.

“Chinese sexual body techniques explicitly separate reproduction from the sexual act, and teach the man ways to avoid emission and ejaculation.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

He yin yang illustrates the modular text structure used in many early and medieval Chinese technical texts.

“The Mawangdui text Uniting Yin and Yang (He yin yang) serves us as introduction to the modular text structure used in many Chinese technical texts of early and medieval times.”

Probably not a substantial claim.

In sexual body-technique texts, nourishment is imagined as a one-sided transfer from female partner to male adept.

“where the 'nourishment' is gained in an imagined transfer, running one-sidedly from the female partner to the male adept”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. The quote only partly states this claim.

He yin yang is divided into eight separate modules.

“This divides the text into eight separate modules ①-⑧, one after the other from the right to the left, and read vertically.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

In He yin yang, blank spaces and initial black dots mark sense units called modules.

“Certain spaces are intentionally left blank.Together with an initial black dot, these empty spaces mark out a sense unit, which I call a module.”

Probably not a substantial claim. It may state two separate claims as one.

The texts advise men to aim for an intermediate blissful state and eventually illumination through controlled countermeasures and close attention to female bodily signs.

“instead attempt to stay in an intermediate state of bliss, and eventually to experience illumination, by way of controlled counter-measures and by being fully focused to female bodily signs”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.

He yin yang contains only one linking node, which holds most technical terms and helps integrate the eight modules.

“In this text can be found only one such node, which contains the majority of the technical terms used, and thereby contributes much to create an integrated text from a mere assembly of eight separate modules.”

Probably not a substantial claim. It may state two separate claims as one.

Ancestor Peng says that ejaculation leaves the trunk and body parts sluggish and limp, causes buzzing ears, difficulty keeping eyes open, dry throat, and loosening bones and joints.

“If the essence is emitted, the trunk and the body parts become sluggish and limp, the ears are bitterly buzzing, the eyes can hardly be kept open, the throat is drying out, and bones and articulations loosen and decay.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.

The Ten Stimulations describe effects and desired penetrative responses, culminating in the woman's essence being emitted when her saps become slippery.

“The tenth is, when the saps of the hidden parts (yīn yè) become slippery, her essence ( jīng) has already been emitted [i.e.she has ejaculated].”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

In the Wondrous Treatise, the language for pleasure changed to 'fulfilling of her imaginations' and 'satisfying of her desires' (yì mǎn yù zú).

“The language for pleasure has also slightly changed, as this texts speaks now of the 'fulfilling of her imaginations' and of the 'satisfying of her desires' (yì maň yù zú 意滿慾足).”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: The quotations of Secret Decisions in Ishinpō faithfully represent the lost original text.

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.

A single female partner might become exhausted, lose her lust, and waste away, so the encounter would not be a great profit for the man.

“As a singular female partner might get exhausted, or her lust might wither, ultimately she would emaciate; therefore, a sexual encounter would not be a 'great profit' (dà yì 大益) for the man.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.

The opening passage of Culminant Principles introduces legendary figures as dialogue partners, a common framing device for technical discussions.

“The text introduces here legendary figures as dialogue partners, a common device to frame technical discussions.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.

In [12.b], the sex battle is opened and the male's fragile constitution is stressed.

“Now, the sex battle is opened; again the fragile constitution of the male is stressed.”

It may state two separate claims as one.

The two early Han Mawangdui bamboo manuscripts contain similar modules, but they do not follow in sequence and are not grouped into a larger unit describing satisfaction.

“the two early Han Mawangdui bamboo manuscripts, which were entombed in the early 2nd century bce, both contain similar modules, but these do not follow each other in sequence, and are not grouped together to form a larger sense unit that would describe the concept of satisfaction.”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: The quotations of Secret Decisions in Ishinpō faithfully represent the lost original text.

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.

The man must refrain from ejaculation and avoid loud or heavy breathing during sex.

“The man is required to abstain from ejaculation and to avoid strong noisy breathing during the sexual act.”

Probably not a substantial claim. It may state two separate claims as one.

If one stimulates without ejaculating, qi is in surplus, the body is at ease, ears and eyes are sharp, and restraint increases imagination and care, producing a sense of never being fully satisfied yet pleasurable.

“If one only stimulates and does not ejaculate, the force of the qì has a surplus, trunk and body parts are capable to be at ease, ears and eyes are sharp and bright.Even though he restrains and calms himself, imagination and care are emphasised even more.It is constantly as if it were not enough, how can this not be pleasurable?”

Probably not a substantial claim. It may state two separate claims as one.

Breathlessness, opening of upper body orifices, agitation of essential fluids, and heavy sweating end in release of bodily tension and turn her attention inward as she closes her eyes.

“Gasping for breath, opening of upper body orifices, agitation of the essential fluids, and profound sweating culminate in a release of body tension and turn her awareness to the inner world when she is closing her eyes.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.

In Ishinpō quotations, Five Constants, Seven Decreases, and Eight Increases are explained, but Five Colours are not.

“While expressions like the Five Constants, the Seven Decreases and the Eight Increases are explained in the quotations of the text in Ishinpō (see below), the Five Colours are not”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

In the opening passage, pleasure/mirth (lè) is introduced as a promise to the male reader.

“Already in this opening passage, our subject, 'pleasure' or 'mirth' (lè 樂), is introduced as a promise to him”

• AssumptionThe authors state this as an assumption: The male reader's attention is guided by positively valued words to choose the correct way provided by the text.

Probably not a substantial claim.

Ancestor Peng advises avoiding ejaculation.

“Ancestor Peng consequently advises to avoid ejaculation, when he continues with this:”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.

Nodes evoke promises of sexual techniques by mentioning technical terms without explanation, provoking questions and guiding the dialogue.

“The promises of the sexual techniques are evoked in a manner typical for nodes: several technical terms are mentioned without further explanation; they provoke easily further questions, and the content of the questions is guided and focused by them throughout the further dialogue.”

It may state two separate claims as one.

In the described encounter, the man is forbidden to emit fluids, while female ejaculation marks completion of one stimulation round.

“The emission of fluids is prohibited for the man, but female ejaculation is seen as a sign of completion in one round of stimulation.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.

The 16th-century Wondrous Treatise does not arrange the modules into a continuous discussion; it contrasts Five Desires and Ten Stimulations with Five Damages resulting from unfitting stimulation.

“The 16th-century ce Wondrous Treatise of the Plain Woman again does not arrange the modules to form a continuous discussion; instead the Indications of the Five Desires and of the Ten Stimulations are contrasted with the Indications of the Five Damages, which result if her partner stimulates the woman unfittingly.”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: The quotations of Secret Decisions in Ishinpō faithfully represent the lost original text.

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

Quotation [12.b] exemplifies a textual node.

“Quotation [12.b] can serve as an example of a textual node.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

The Five Desires describe signs by which a man knows a woman's response, including holding breath, open nose/mouth, trembling, sweating, and body straightening with eyes closed.

“The Plain Woman says: It is by the Five Desires you know her response.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

The Ten Stimulations module describes the dynamics and interaction required during a sexual encounter.

“The third module Ten Stimulations elaborates on the dynamics and the interaction necessary during a sexual encounter:”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

The Five Desires module explains that a man can know a woman's response through five desires.

“The Plain Woman says: It is by the Five Desires you know her response.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

Care for the woman is expressed only casually in a discussion that favors frequent exchange of women.

“Care is expressed only casually in a discussion that favours the frequent exchange of women.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

The three quotations [14.a-c] form structural modules used as text blocks for discussing satisfaction (kuài).

“These quotations form the structural components, or modules, that are used as text blocks for the discussion of 'jouissance' or 'satisfaction' (kuài 快).”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: The quotations of Secret Decisions in Ishinpō faithfully represent the lost original text.

It may state two separate claims as one.

In the Secret Decisions, recipes help the man strengthen his essence, while the woman appears nowhere to need similar supplementation for sexual purposes.

“However, I remain suspicious of such qualifications as long as we find recipes to help the man to bolster his essence (seminal strength), whereas the woman seems nowhere in explicit need of a similar supplementation for sexual purposes, and certainly not in the Secret Decisions.”

Probably not a substantial claim.

Secret Decisions contains a unique passage [14.a-c] on women's satisfaction or pleasure.

“The Secret Decisions in the Jade Chamber contains the interesting and unique passage [14.a-c] on the satisfaction or pleasure of women.”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: The quotations of Secret Decisions in Ishinpō faithfully represent the lost original text.

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

In Secret Decisions [17.a], the female interlocutor asks where men's pleasure lies in this practice.

“But in the Secret Decisions' quotation [17.a] even the female interlocutor of Ancestor Peng, himself the specialist for sexual questions and longevity, is asking the question everyman would ask: 'But where is the pleasure for men in all this?'”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

The dialogue consists of a single question by the Yellow Emperor answered by the Plain Woman.

“The dialogue consists of a single question asked by Huang Di, the Yellow Emperor, which is answered by Su nü, the Plain Woman.”

It may state two separate claims as one.

The man uses controlled movement during sex, or resting positions during meditation.

“The male uses controlled movement during the sexual encounter, or resting positions during meditation.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.

The man is advised not to make sounds or speak during sex, or to remain silent during meditation.

“The man is advised not to emit sounds or speak during the sexual encounter, or to remain silent during meditation.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.

The Xiao you jing says the Twelve Lessenings are the capital deed of nourishing life, and that excessive laughter damages the viscera.

“Too much laughing-the granaries [i.e. the (five) viscera] are damaged.”

• Also stated in: § 11. Avoid too much laughter, seek euphoric states · plain

  “these are the Twelve Lessenings (shí èr shaǒ), that is to say the capital deed of nourishing life.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. The paper may give no reason why it holds.

Both bǐng xī 屏息 and bǐng qì 屏氣 describe an irregular breath pattern.

“Both bı ̌ng xī 屏息 and bı ̌ng qì 屏氣 describe an irregular breath pattern.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.

Nourishing life texts advise reducing affective behavior through self-regulation in daily life and name the Twelve Lessenings; less laughter and less pleasure are encouraged to fine-tune a male adept's emotional states while awake.

“Column 3: 'Nourishing life' texts advise to reduce affective behaviour by self-regulation in daily life, and accordingly name the Twelve Lessenings (shí èr shaǒ 十二少).Among these, less laughing and less pleasure are encouraged in order to achieve the fine-tuning of a male adept's emotional states during waking time.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

The final character of the title Yu fang bi jue is written with the popular graph jué 决 for jué 決.

“The last character of the title is consequently written jué 决, the popular graph for jué 決, 'to decide, decision'”

• cites Huang Zheng 2005, p. 214Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim.

Later hands separated the modules again, as seen in the Wondrous Treatise of the Plain Women.

“But later hands separated them again, as seen in the Wondrous Treatise of the Plain Women.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.

The title Tan xia zhi dao tan occurs on slip 17, and He yin yang is the title given by the editors.

“The title Tan xia zhi dao tan occurs on slip 17, He yin yang is the title given by the editors”

• cites Mawangdui Hanmu Boshu Zhengli Xiaozu (ed.) 1985Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.

Meditative states are felt as lightness, luminosity, calm, and euphoria throughout the body.

“Meditative states are felt as lightness, luminosity, calm, euphoric all over the body.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

Fullness in the belly and rising flow events, localized as mounting from the belly to the heart region, accompany laughter.

“Fullness in the belly, raising flow events-localised as mounting from the belly and rising to the heart region-accompany laughter.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

Yu fang bi jue survives only as 28 quotations in Ishinpō, in rolls 7, 13, 21, 24, and 28.

“Today the text is only extant in 28 quotations in Ishinpō, rolls 7, 13, 21, 24, and 28.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

The original blockprints of Su nü miao lun, of which at least two editions existed, appear to be no longer available.

“Unfortunately, the original blockprints (at least two editions existed), seem to be no more available.”

It may state two separate claims as one.

Female ejaculation is an explicit part of her sexual response and is rated as profitable to the male partner.

“Female ejaculation forms an explicit part of her sexual response, and rated as profitable to the male partner.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

A handwritten transcription of Su nü miao lun is available in Van Gulik [1951] 2004, vol.2, pp.123-47.

“A handwritten transcription can be found in Van Gulik[1951] 2004, vol.2, pp.123-47”

• cites Van Gulik [1951] 2004Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

In the late text, the reader must mentally combine the modules to form conceptual groups.

“In this late text the reader once again has to combine the modules mentally to form conceptual groups.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.

Laughter is loud, produces sounds, and changes the regular breathing pattern.

“Laughter is loud, sounds are produced, the regular breathing pattern is changed.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. The paper may give no reason why it holds.

The Records on Nourishing the Life Dispositions and Prolonging the Life Mandate cite the full statement on the Twelve Lessenings.

“The Records on Nourishing the Life Dispositions and Prolonging the Life Mandate (Yang xing yan ming lu 養性延命錄) cite the full statement on the Twelve Lessenings:”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

The scenario emphasises regulating inner qì streams that are posited differently for each partner.

“It lays the emphasis on the regulation of inner streams of qì that are postulated for each of the partners differently.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

Su nü miao lun has been translated into English, Italian, and French.

“There exist translations into English(Wile 1992, pp.122-33), Italian(Santangelo 1993) and French(Lévy 2000).”

• cites Wile 1992Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

• cites Santangelo 1993Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

• cites Lévy 2000Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.

Tamba no Yasuori splits this unified view again in the Ishinpō, but his three rubric titles coincide with the technical terms of the earlier modules.

“Tamba no Yasuori then splits again this unified view in the Ishinpō, but his three rubric titles simply coincide with the technical terms of the earlier modules.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper may give no reason why it holds. It may state two separate claims as one.

Laughter, belching, and ejaculation are involuntary muscular movements.

“Laughter, belching, ejaculation are involuntary, muscular movements.”

Probably not a substantial claim. It may state two separate claims as one.

Linguistic changes were made to the passages, and the sense units were rearranged into a new order.

“Linguistic adaptations were made to the passages, and then the sense units realigned in a new order.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.

To achieve this continuous discussion, an introductory question-and-answer passage was added before the Five Proofs module [14.a], containing the three module titles and the unifying term, and a final sentence was added at the end of the Ten Stimulations module [14.c].

“To achieve this continuous discussion it was only necessary to add an introductory passage in question-and-answer style-a linking text-in front of the Five Proofs module [14.a].It contains the three module titles (Five Proofs, Five Desires, Ten Stimulations), together with the unifying term 'satisfaction of a woman', and to round it off with an additional final sentence at the end of the Ten Stim”

It may state two separate claims as one.

Ejection of air is treated on the same level as male ejaculation and as something to avoid.

“Ejection of air is treated on the same level as male ejaculation and as something to avoid.”

It may state two separate claims as one.

Female satisfaction is characterised by outward orientation, involuntary muscular movements, irregular breathing, vocalisation, and emission of fluids, whereas the male intermediate state of bliss is characterised by inward orientation, voluntary movements, regular breath, and silence.

“Comparison of satisfaction with avoidances and meditation”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

Su nü miao lun has printed versions from 1536 and 1880 ce.

“Su nü miao lun 素女妙論 (Wondrous Treatise of the Plain Woman), printed versions 1536 and 1880 ce”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.

The Five Signals appear in Tian xia zhi dao tan slip 55; the Proofs of the Five Desires appear in He yin yang slip 108; the Five Proofs and Five Desires appear in Yu fang bi jue [14.a-b]; the Indications of the Five Desires appear in Su nü miao lun 4: fol.127/135.

“14 (A) Five Signals (wǔ huī 五微(徽)): Tian xia zhi dao tan slip 55; Proofs of the Five Desires (wǔ yù zhī zhēng 五欲之徵): He yin yang slip108; Five Proofs (wǔ zhēng 五徵) and Five Desires (wǔ yù 五欲): Yu fang bi jue [14.a-b];Indications of the Five Desires (wǔ yù zhī hòu 五慾之候): Su nü miao lun 4: fol.127/135.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.

The Secret Decisions in the Jade Chamber quotations [14.a-c] contain the modules Five Proofs, Five Desires, and Ten Stimulations.

“Let us look module by module at the Secret Decisions in the Jade Chamber quotations [14.a-c]; the Five Proofs read: [14.a]”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. The paper may give no reason why it holds.

Ye Dehui p. 1a.4 misreads 滅火 as 勝火.

“Ye Dehui p. 1a.4 misreads 滅火 as 勝火.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.

Ye Dehui leaves out 云; Tamba's Zha ji notes a mistake in this sentence; Gao Wenzhu considers 云 superfluous.

“Ye Dehui omits 云; Tamba notes in his Zha ji, that there must be a mistake in this sentence; Gao Wenzhu says 云 is a superfluous character.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.

Ishinpō is a 10th-century compilation of Chinese medical knowledge that preserves most transmitted quotations from Secret Decisions.

“the large compilation of Chinese medical knowledge, entitled the Core Prescriptions of Medicine (Ishinpō 醫心方) in which most of the transmitted quotations from the Secret Decisions in the Jade Chamber are preserved.”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: The quotations of Secret Decisions in Ishinpō faithfully represent the lost original text.

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

Passages on female pleasure appear in the 16th-century Wondrous Treatise of the Plain Woman in much altered language.

“Finally, the passages on female pleasure can be found in a late imperial printed text, the Wondrous Treatise of the Plain Woman (Su nü miao lun 素女妙論) of the 16th century ce, but are now put in a much altered language.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

In modular technical texts, framing devices such as dialogue or context can deeply affect or even make incomprehensible a passage.

“In a given case, helped by general additions or framing devices like dialogue structure, or context, this can affect deeply the understanding of a passage, or even make it incomprehensible”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.

The Secret Decisions in the Jade Chamber is not extant in original composition and entirety but is extensively quoted in the 10th-century Ishinpō.

“The Secret Decisions in the Jade Chamber (Yu fang bi jue 玉房 秘决) are not extant in their original textual composition and entirety, but we find them quoted extensively in the Japanese manuscript Ishinpō 醫心方 (Core Prescriptions of Medicine), of the 10th century ce”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: The quotations of Secret Decisions in Ishinpō faithfully represent the lost original text.

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

Many titles Tamba mentions, including Secret Decisions, were later lost entirely or partially in China.

“Many of the titles he mentions were subsequently lost entirely or partially in China herself, including the Secret Decisions in the Jade Chamber.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

The order of many modules in He yin yang could easily be changed because their aspectual descriptions do not require linear reading.

“The modules are placed simply one after the other, and the order of many of them could easily be changed, as the aspectual character of their descriptions does not necessarily imply a reading from A to Z”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

He yin yang is a small compilation whose modules could be reused flexibly in other texts.

“In fact, this constitutes a small compilation, as many of its modules could also be used flexibly in other texts for either similar or completely different purposes.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. The paper may give no reason why it holds.

A strong motive must exist to restrain a man's quick nature.

“There must be a strong motor to curb a man's quick nature.”

It may state two separate claims as one.

For the man, emitting fluids would mean losing life force and immediately ending those pleasurable sensations.

“The emission of fluids would constitute a loss of life force, and an immediate termination of such pleasurable sensations to him.”

It may state two separate claims as one.

Penile thrusting variation is controlled, whereas female sexual response is presented as spontaneous and produced by prolonged stimulation.

“Please note that variation of penile thrusting is a controlled action, whereas the female sexual response is presented as occurring spontaneously and as an effect of prolonged stimulation.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.

The advice in the opening passage is organized not only as a sex contest but also as a cooking operation where men's chances appear better.

“the advice is here not merely organised, as it often is, as a kind of sex contest (under the assumption that women inevitably win out), but in addition also as a delicate cooking operation (where chances for men appear to be better).”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

The man's zeal is stirred by fantasies of nourishment.

“Furthermore, the man's zealousness is aroused by nourishment fantasies.”

Probably not a substantial claim. It may be too vague to check against evidence. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. The paper may give no reason why it holds.

If a linking text's link is broken, the coherence and integrity of the text are compromised.

“If the link of a linking text is broken, coherence and integrity of the text are compromised”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

The word kuài covers meanings such as joyful, pleasant, and satisfied.

“The word used to describe it, kuài 快, covers meanings like 'joyful, pleasant, to be satisfied'.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

The male sense of potency is a phantasmatic reversal of the common weaknesses of middle-aged and elderly men that many virility remedies address.

“Apparently, that male sense of potency constitutes a phantasmatic reversal of the common weaknesses affecting middle-aged and elderly men that are addressed by the many remedies that bolster virility.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

For the man, this fluid loss is certainly a serious problem.

“For the man, this constitutes certainly a serious problem.”

It may state two separate claims as one.

Mawangdui bamboo manuscripts mention facial color changes from excitement and from stimulation at the anterior upper vaginal wall.

“The Mawangdui bamboo manuscripts mention colour changes due to excitement on the face, and as a result of stimulation at the anterior upper vaginal wall (see Pfister 2013).”

• cites Pfister 2013Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.

The man's intermediate bliss brings euphoria, bodily lightness, wellness and strength, glossy skin, sensory sharpness, and finally a flood of bright inner light in a relaxed state.

“Together with his intermediate state of bliss comes an euphoric state that leads to the feeling of bodily lightness, and an overall sense of wellness and strength, to a glossy skin and sensory acuteness.It culminates in being flooded by a bright inner light, during what seems to be a rather relaxed state of mind.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

The man can read visible signs and body movements as outward manifestations of five inner desires.

“These outwardly displayed, visible signs and body movements can be interpreted by him as manifestations of five kinds of desires, coming from inside.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

The phantasmatic traits are arranged in a figure-ground relationship.

“The phantasmatic traits appear to be organised in a figure-ground relationship:”

It may state two separate claims as one. The quote only partly states this claim.

Diachronic comparison of textual structure provides evidence for transmission of content and shows how modules were reworked, reused, and rewritten.

“First, this produces evidence for the transport of certain content matter throughout the ages, thereby testifying if a certain practice was at all transmitted, and what concrete form this might have taken.”

It may state two separate claims as one.

The male observer reads her bodily signs as requests for suitable countermeasures, which are thought to increase her satisfaction.

“The male observer interprets her bodily signs directly as demands for an appropriate counter-measure; such action is seen as contributing to the enhancement of her satisfaction.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

The male observer responds to her bodily signs in an adequate and generally controlled manner.

“The male observer takes up her bodily signs in order to respond in an adequate and overall rather controlled manner.”

It may state two separate claims as one.

The Five Signals or Proofs of the Five Desires in earlier texts do not describe the full female sexual response as Secret Decisions does, but only reactions before penetration (foreplay).

“the Five Signals or the Proofs of the Five Desires also do not describe the full sexual response of the woman as we see it in the Secret Decisions in the Jade Chamber, but they talk about her reactions to stimulation before any penetration takes place, during what is nowadays called the foreplay.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

This conglomerate of two texts was often translated into Western languages under the title Su nü jing.

“it was nevertheless this conglomerate of two different texts which was often translated into Western languages under the title of Su nü jing.”

Probably not a substantial claim.

The five desires move inside the woman's body and build female pleasures in several stages.

“These desires are moving around inside her body and build up in several steps the 'female pleasures' (nü ̌ kuài 女快).”

Probably not a substantial claim. The authors may not put it forward as true.

The silence of technical texts reveals the imaginary character of the nourishing transfer.

“Is this silence not precisely what reveals the outright imaginary character of the nourishing transfer?”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.

The list's structure implies that the man should cultivate pleasure gradually and not concentrate only on a final climax or orgasm.

“The structural feature of the list contributes to the impression, that the process of carefully building up pleasure is what the man should take care of, and certainly is advised not to focus merely on the result of a final climactic point, or orgasm.”

It may state two separate claims as one.

The overall judgment is negative: for the man, ejaculation is only a brief satisfaction and yields little pleasure.

“The overall assessment is negative, to ejaculate is merely a 'short-time satisfaction' (zàn kuài 暫快) for the man, and he derives not much 'pleasure' from it.”

It may state two separate claims as one.

The modular presentation of the sexual encounter does not center solely on climax or a terminal point; it tracks specific bodily signs through several arousal plateaus.

“The modularly fanned-out view of a tumultuous sexual encounter does not focus singularly on the climax and a terminal point; to the contrary, it follows specified bodily signs through several plateaus of arousal.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.

The sexual encounter is called a 'flowery battle' (huá zhàn), which appears to imply suspense.

“It is not by chance that the sexual encounter is called a 'flowery battle' (huá zhàn 華戰), which seems to imply some suspense.”

It may state two separate claims as one.

Tamba considered Secret Decisions his major source on sexual techniques, and it greatly influenced the structure of his compilation.

“Obviously, Tamba considered the Secret Decisions to be his major source on the subject.It is therefore safe to say that this text influenced greatly the structure of his compilations on the sexual techniques.”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: The quotations of Secret Decisions in Ishinpō faithfully represent the lost original text.

It may state two separate claims as one.

Ye Dehui extracted passages of Secret Decisions containing dialogues with the Plain Woman and assembled them into the Scripture of the Plain Woman.

“took out all passages of the Secret Decisions in the Jade Chamber in which occurred dialogues with the Plain Woman (Su nü 素女).He mounted them into another text, called the Scripture of the Plain Woman (Su nü jing)”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: The quotations of Secret Decisions in Ishinpō faithfully represent the lost original text.

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

Erotic flushes and increased vasocongestion might produce five distinct color changes required by the text.

“Erotic flushes elsewhere on the body surface and increased vasocongestion of erectile tissues in the vagina resulting in a deepening of red tones might add up to five distinct colour changes required by our text here.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

In the opening passage, the fragile man confronted with woman's supreme sexual potency is at a loss.

“Clearly, the fragile man, confronted with the supreme sexual potency of woman, is at a loss.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.

Tamba inserted three section titles into the passage, indicating he understood the three portions as independent modules with a secondary dialogic frame.

“Tamba no Yasuori took the entire passage from the Secret Decisions in the Jade Chamber and inserted three section titles (boldface in the translation).He thereby made clear that he understood the three textual portions to be independent textual modules, to which a dialogic frame was added only secondarily.”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: The quotations of Secret Decisions in Ishinpō faithfully represent the lost original text.

It may state two separate claims as one.

Female potency is portrayed as an almost endless source of life, while male potency is more fragile and threatened by fluid emission through bodily openings.

“Quite strikingly, female potency is staged as a near endlessly flowing source of life, whereas male potency is of a more delicate nature: it is he who is frail and endangered by the emission of fluids through the body openings.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

The lower two occurrences of 'the Plain Woman says' are probably editorial insertions by Tamba to clarify the speaker.

“As the introductory sentence 'the Plain Woman says' is repeated three times, one can assume the lower two to be editorial insertions by Tamba, who just wanted to make clear who is speaking.”

• AssumptionThe authors state this as an assumption: The lower two occurrences of 'the Plain Woman says' are editorial insertions by Tamba.

It may state two separate claims as one.

The male aim at intermediate bliss contrasts with female convulsions, which also build continuously but finish with fluid emission such as sweat or female essence.

“To aim at this intermediate state of bliss marks a clear contrast to the convulsions seen in female pleasure, which also builds up continuously, but ends with the emission of fluids like sweat or the female essence.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

Pleasure is enjoyed throughout the whole experience.

“Pleasure is savoured throughout the experience.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

Creative reuse of textual modules to create new content or concepts, often with slight changes, is common in Chinese technical medical and nourishing-life literature.

“The creative re-use of textual modules in order to create new content or to present a new concept, and often with only slight changes to the original module text, is a very common device in technical literature on medical and 'nourishing life' (ya ňg shēng) issues”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

The text does not necessarily consider what men often ask for as the best advice.

“But what men often ask for is not necessarily considered to be the best advice by the text.”

Probably not a substantial claim.

In Secret Decisions, kuài is used for women's satisfaction in a way similar to French jouir/jouissance, describing bodily sexual delights.

“In the Secret Decisions, the word kuài 快 is used to address the satisfaction of women in a very similar way as the French words jouir or jouissance do, in an attempt to describe her sexual delights of a very bodily nature.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.

The woman reacts with muscular jerks and carpopedal spasms and acts out under the force of her inner desires.

“It is the woman who reacts in a muscular way with jerks and carpopedal spasms, and who by the force of her inner desires acts out.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.

She accumulates tension and releases it in multiple ejaculations across repeated encounters, which prolongs the overall session considerably.

“She builds up more and more tension, only to be released in multiple ejaculations, in a series of encounters which stimulate her time and again, and which prolong the overall session time considerably.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

Laughter can be easily compared with the muscular aspects of female satisfaction.

“In this regard, it can be easily compared to the muscular aspects of female satisfaction (see Table 4).”

Probably not a substantial claim. It may state two separate claims as one.

Laughter is involuntary or compulsive, while euphoric states are induced by special sexual or meditative techniques.

“Laughter is involuntary, or even compulsive, whereas euphoric states are induced by special techniques, be these methods sexual or meditative.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.

The phrase 'holding the inner air flow' likely refers to blocked breathing patterns that become visible in the body's overall reaction, unlike 'holding the breath', which means apnoea or gasping at the head and mouth, accompanied by sounds.

“Therefore, 'holding the (inner) air flow' describes probably blocked breath patterns becoming visible in the overall body reaction, as opposed to 'holding the breath' meaning apnoea or gasping for air, seen at the head and mouth, together with sounds.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper may give no reason why it holds. It may state two separate claims as one.

Laughter is expressive and directed outward toward others, while meditation and its states are experienced inwardly.

“Laughter is expressive, directed outwardly, to others, whereas meditation and its states are inwardly experienced.”

Probably not a substantial claim.

The text makes it readable and recognizable to the male participant observer that satisfying and pleasurable experiences may be ongoing on the female side throughout all phases of the sexual encounter.

“It makes readable and recognisable for the male participant observer that on the female side satisfying and pleasurable experiences may be ongoing in all the phases of the sexual encounter.”

Probably not a substantial claim.

The gender-specific general programme of the discussed texts promises a considerable and probably necessary level of arousal, excitement, and sensual tension between man and woman during sex.

“The gender-specifically outlined general programme of the discussed texts promises a considerable and probably necessary level of arousal, excitement and sensual tension between man and woman during a sexual encounter.”

Probably not a substantial claim.

The Secret Decisions mark a significant step in the transmission of sexual techniques.

“The Secret Decisions mark a significant step in the transmission of the sexual techniques.”

Probably not a substantial claim. It may state two separate claims as one.

The man is occupied with controlled countermeasures and focused on her bodily signs, trying to gain time as he seeks to maintain intermediate bliss and eventually experience illumination.

“He is occupied by controlled countermeasures and focused on her bodily signs, attempting to gain time as he strives to keep an intermediate state of bliss, and eventually to experience illumination.”

Probably not a substantial claim. It may state two separate claims as one.

The texts present a psychodynamic scenario that stages the woman in full potency, emitting fluids and ejaculating, experiencing uncontrolled muscular spasms and much fun, while advising the man to avoid ejaculation.

“The texts display a psychodynamic scenario that stages the woman in full potency, as emitting fluids and ejaculating, as experiencing uncontrolled muscular spasms and having much fun all along the way.It advises at the same time the man to avoid ejaculation.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

Because he did not remove the introductory and final sentences, the earlier state of affairs remains transparent today.

“As he did not remove the introductory and final sentences, the earlier state of affairs is still transparent today.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.

Pfister's 2013 work offers a fresh transcription and preliminary edition, a German translation, and extensive interpretation of the three Mawangdui sexual body-technique texts.

“Pfister 2013 provides a new transcription and preliminary edition, together with the German translation and extensive interpretation of the three Mawangdui texts on sexual body techniques.”

• cites Pfister 2013Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. The paper may give no reason why it holds. It may state two separate claims as one.

The phrase bì or mì jué 秘訣 means 'trick, knack', which leads to a colloquial rendering of the title as 'bed trick(s)', an intended pun.

“However, the phrase bì or mì jué 秘訣 means 'trick, knack', leading to a colloquial rendering of the title as 'bed trick(s)', an intended pun.”

It may state two separate claims as one.

Aiming at the transfer is staged as convenient bait for the man's awareness; it absorbs him favorably during her exaltation, turns his attention inward, and gives reason to slow down and act circumspectly to receive the fluids said to nourish his life.

“Aiming at the transfer is staged as convenient bait for the man's awareness.It absorbs him in a favourable way during her exaltation, focuses his attention inwardly, and it provides a reason to slow down movements and to act with circumspection, all necessary to receive the fluids that are said to nourish his life.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

Ishinpō has 40 extant manuscript versions.

“On the textual history of Ishinpō and especially on its 40 extant manuscript versions, see Liu Xiuqiao 1976”

• cites Liu Xiuqiao 1976Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

• cites Society for the Commemoration of the One Thousandth Anniversary of the 'Ishimpo' (ed.) 1984Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

• cites Gao Wenzhu et al. 1996Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

The woman instead builds a strong release: she passes through the Five Proofs, Five Desires, and Ten Stimulations, the full cycle of arousal and pleasure up to ejaculation.

“The woman instead builds up a strong release: she moves through the Five Proofs, the Five Desires and the Ten Stimulations-in a word the full cycle of arousal and pleasurable experiences unto ejaculation.”

It may state two separate claims as one.

The woman does not restrain herself but acts out; her involuntary movements and carpopedal spasms are observable signs for her partner to interpret.

“The woman does not control or restrain herself, but acts out; her involuntary movements and carpopedal spasms are observable signs to be interpreted by her partner.”

It may state two separate claims as one.

By accepting the hostess's nourishing fluids, the man becomes a guest, which amounts to being dominated.

“Therefore, by accepting the nourishing fluids of the hostess the man finds himself in the role of the guest, and that equals being dominated.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

Avoiding muscular strain and involuntary movements goes together with a preference for feelings of well-being or euphoria.

“The avoidance of muscular strain and involuntary movements is accompanied by a preference for feelings of well-being (euphoria).”

It may state two separate claims as one.

The potentially overwhelming character of female sexual response is toned down, though the detailed description betrays fascination, and the power aspect of the relation is dimmed.

“The possibly overwhelming character of the female sexual response is toned down-even though by the extensive and detailed description it receives its fascination is betrayed, and the power aspect of their relation dimmed.”

It may state two separate claims as one.

The immense female potency underlying the sexual techniques is pushed into the background and barely mentioned, while the woman is made into a nourishing mother who feeds the man abundantly.

“Whereas the tremendous female potency that underlies the sexual techniques is relegated to the background and scarcely mentioned, the woman is made to act as a kind of 'nourishing mother', feeding the man copiously.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

The man's intermediate bliss during sex is a striving for inner experience.

“Likewise the man's intermediate state of bliss during a sexual encounter is a striving for inner experience.”

It may state two separate claims as one.

The man imagines himself as nourished by female fluids and as the recipient of life, while the woman plays the motherly role, overjoyed and endlessly giving.

“The man fantasises himself as the one who is nourished by the female fluids, the recipient of life, whereas the woman plays the motherly role, overjoyed and giving without end.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

This prepares the ground for the envisioned nourishing transfer, sometimes elaborated as grafting, to occupy the foreground as figure.

“Thereby is the ground prepared, on which, in contrast, the envisioned nourishing transfer (that is sometimes elaborated into the picture of grafting) occupies the foreground, serving as the figure.”

Probably not a substantial claim.

By using three reworked earlier modules and arranging them in succession, the text highlights under the term kuài 快 the novel conceptual aspect of female satisfaction.

“Using three reworked modules of earlier writings and newly arranging them in succession, the text subsumes and highlights under the technical term kuài 快 the novel conceptual aspect of female 'satisfaction'.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

Laughter can also lead to a 'laughing disease' (xiào jí 笑疾).

“Laughter can also lead to a 'laughing disease' (xiào jí 笑疾), as Lee Jen-der 2004 brilliantly showed.”

• cites Lee Jen-der 2004Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

It may state two separate claims as one.

Laughter is to be avoided and is sometimes an illness symptom, while euphoria is desired and conveys wellness and long life to the adept.

“Laughter is something to avoid, and sometimes an illness symptom, whereas euphoria is a desired state, conveying wellness and long life to the adept.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

Harper's 1998 work translates all 14 texts of the Mawangdui medical corpus.

“Harper 1998 translates the entire Mawangdui medical corpus, altogether 14 texts.”

• cites Harper 1998Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

Ye Dehui made numerous errors in transcription and collation.

“For a short critique of Ye Dehui's 'numerous errors in transcription and collation', see Li Ling and McMahon 1992, pp.148-9.”

• cites Li Ling and McMahon 1992Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.