At first glance, Miyoko Fujimori's book: The Housewife's Guide to the Practical Striptease could be mistaken as a strictly satirical peek into the art of clothing-removal. The comical illustrations reveal a black-and-white woman touching herself, in g-string drawn panties, covering her paper-pussy. When asked if this tone was intentional, Fujimori said, "It wasn't intended to become a cartoon book, but the feeling of 'not taking oneself too seriously' was always an underlying motive."
The title of this book could possibly limit its audience -- causing readers to feel excluded if they do not fit inside the molded representation of "the housewife." I felt reluctant when flipping through the pages, as I worried that this would not only be geared toward the female domestic engineers of our society, but toward those of heterosexual orientation. However, although there are titles like, "Why Men Love Strippers and Getting your Guy to Strip," it is more about how we can move our bodies to turn on our chosen mate.
"While I titled the book with a rather traditional relationship in mind, I tried to write it so that it could be read as a woman or a man in any relationship. Besides the mentality of men being centered around the crotch during a lap dance, there is not much difference as to the approach of erotic dance. Just plug in your pet names for your lover, and you're set!" says Fujimoto.
This guide offers tips on how to set the mood through musical accompaniment, the moves to make your lover squirm and scream, and even how to feel relaxed and confident within your body in order to tease through stripping. I asked Fujimori how women of all body types and levels of comfort might use this handbook:
"[...] it wasn't until I became a stripper in my twenties that I learned to love myself. Flaws and all. I've had two kids, and have the sagging boobs to prove it! But because I have a nurturing way to move and appreciate my body, I embrace all of it. Women tend to look at themselves in the mirror and focus on the perceived flaws. Striptease gives women a new way to pose, accentuating their assets, and giving them a new way to look at themselves!"
This book is more than just how to strip for your lover. It is about how to be and feel sexy. It is about climbing outside of our constricted movements and letting go. We learn techniques like the breast squeeze, the grind, the face rub, the bicycle, and one of my favorites: the cum hither.
Reading this book helped me realize that we can all move beyond our "chosen" label. We all deserve to feel sexy, regardless of body type or traumatic influences. On page 52, Fujimori writes: "Lesson #5 Love Yourself -- the more you expose your flaws, the more you'll grow to accept them."
She adds, "I think the biggest part of negative energy toward ourselves is shame and silence. I recently had a woman in class [on the art of sexual expression through striptease] tell me it was the best thing she could have done for herself. She feels that she is overweight and tends to disassociate herself from her physical body. By having her hands on her body and moving in a sensual way, she is reminded to honor herself."
The Housewife's Guide to the Practical Striptease would make a great gift for any woman -- straight or gay -- single or married -- who is looking to reintroduce herself to herself.
Fujimori says it best: "Women, feminist or not, should love their bodies, and be in control of their sexual power. Period. Get naked and get moving!"
The Housewife's Guide to the Practical Striptease by Miyoko Fujimori. Copyright 2006, $7.95.
Originally published December 2007: XXXMas