Ep 6. Abe Sada: The Fantasy of Japanese Eroticism (1936)

Abe Sada: The Fantasy of Japanese Eroticism (1936) is the sixth episode of the gripping true crime series Crimes That Made History. This episode explores the shocking and infamous case of Abe Sada, a Japanese woman who brutally murdered her lover and then mutilated his body in a fit of sexual ecstasy.

Set in 1930s Japan, the episode immerses viewers in the cultural and social context of the time and introduces them to Abe Sada, a young woman who was sold into prostitution by her family as a child. We follow her life as she struggles to navigate Japan's male-dominated society and finds solace and empowerment in her sexuality.

However, Abe's desires soon spiral out of control and lead her down a dark and dangerous path. She becomes enamored with her lover Kichizo Ishida, a married man who she sees as the embodiment of her sexual fantasies. In a frenzy of passion, she strangles him to death during intercourse and then proceeds to sever his genitals as a gruesome token of their love.

The episode delves into the aftermath of Abe's crime and the media sensation that it caused. It depicts her arrest, trial, and ultimately her conviction for murder, which led to her being sentenced to six years in prison.

Through interviews with historians, experts, and eyewitnesses, the episode examines the cultural and psychological factors that drove Abe to commit such a heinous crime. It raises questions about the intersection of sex, violence, and power in Japan and explores how Abe's story became a mythic and eroticized tale in popular culture.

Overall, Abe Sada: The Fantasy of Japanese Eroticism (1936) is a compelling and thought-provoking episode that shines a light on a little-known chapter of Japanese history. It offers a nuanced and insightful perspective on crime, gender, and society and invites viewers to engage in a deeper conversation about the complexities of human behavior.