Sada Abe

Sada Abe (阿部 定, Abe Sada, May 28, 1905 – after 1971) was a Japanese geisha and prostitute who became infamous for murdering her lover, Kichizo Ishida, in 1936 and then cutting off his genitals.

Abe's early life involved working as a geisha and prostitute in Tokyo. Her relationship with Ishida, a restaurant owner, was described as intensely sexual and possessive. On May 18, 1936, after a period of increasingly obsessive behavior and erotic games, Abe strangled Ishida to death. She then severed his penis and testicles and carried them with her for several days before being apprehended by the police.

The case captivated the Japanese public, becoming a media sensation due to its lurid details and the perceived nature of Abe's crime as both horrific and driven by intense passion. It was seen as a sensational mixture of love, sex, and violence.

Abe was initially sentenced to six years in prison for murder. She was released in 1941 and disappeared from public view. There are conflicting reports about her later life, but it is believed she worked in various occupations. The last confirmed sighting of her was in 1971.

The "Sada Abe incident" has been the subject of numerous books, films, plays, and other artistic works, making it a cultural touchstone in Japan. It continues to be analyzed and debated as a case study of sexual obsession, societal taboos, and the representation of women in Japanese culture. The incident highlights the complex interplay of eroticism, violence, and psychological instability, ensuring its enduring fascination.