Freakshows in Japan

日本な見世物

見世物小屋 (みせものごや ) - a showcase of rare and grotesque oddities

Originating as a form of art theatre before the Edo period (1603 – 1868), 見世物小屋 (freakshows) were a popular act included in travelling performance groups or circuses. ​

The acts seen within freakshows varied depending on the nature of the performance group, often including perfume masters (scent and material street performers), artwork created from binding sea life or dead animals, a snake woman or act including a serpent, human and animal birth deformities (such as a two-headed dog), and a living puppet (a doll or puppet crafted to seem unsettlingly life-like). 

生人形（いきにんぎょう）'living dolls' were popular features which required immense talent to construct.
Image: artist - Matsumoto Kisaburou
www.edo-g.com/blog/2016/08/misemono_goya.html/4

There were also obscene freakshow acts which provided erotic pleasure or had grotesque elements such as sexual acts with an octopus, people born without limbs (or removed by force) in order to resemble a daruma doll, and children eating flesh from corpses. 

As a travelling performance group was depicted as a family event, most shows were held temporarily within temple grounds, resembling a 祭り (まつり – festival) with summer garments, stalls, and food associated with festivities. 

'蛸と海女'
'Octopus and Sea Girl'
Sexual acts, particularly human female and animal intercourse, were not uncommon. Although intercourse with animals is illegal in present-day Japan, animal cruelty continues to be a part of acts.
Image: artist - Katsushika Hokusai
www.edo-g.com/blog/2015/11/shunga.html

Freakshows lost popularity due to an increase in human rights and cultural shifts, particularly those featuring erotic acts or human cruelty were greatly shunned. In order to crack down on human trafficking and sexual misconduct, strict laws were introduced which narrowed the acts of remaining freakshows.
The invention of the television also led to a decrease in freakshows as families preferred to view freakshows from the safety of their home rather than at the location.  

Despite the decline in popularity, freakshows spot Japan and such performance artists have a cult following online.  

WARNING:
​the following Youtube video is a present-day freakshow act of a woman devouring a live snake.
​Viewers may find the footage disturbing.