also: しゅどう
Historical term for male-male sexual relationships, especially in samurai or monastic contexts; often implies an age-structured relationship. Modern usage is rare and carries an archaic, literary tone.
江戸時代の武士の間では衆道が広く行われていた。
During the Edo period, male homosexuality was widely practiced among samurai.
この寺では衆道が黙認さ
Records indicate that pederasty was tacitly permitted at this temple.
Standard kanji spelling; reading しゅどう is more common than しゅうどう.
Alternate reading; less common but still encountered.
A shortened form of 若衆道, “the way of youths,” referring historically to institutionalized male–male relations involving adolescent youths in monastic and warrior society.