Normal and developmental aspects of masochism: transcultural and clinical implications

Masochism in all its forms has challenged psychoanalytic theories of development a and treatment since Freud (1905, 1919, 1924). It might appear paradoxical to present a concept of normal masochism while masochism has been considered to be so pathological, but I have proposed this concept (Nakakuki 1982, 1984) as a part of normal mental functioning through my experience and study of "traditional" Japanese culture, which I believe contains the features of normal masochism. It is normal in that it represents Japanese adaptation to their cultural orientation and expectations.