Why is Takarazuka all female?
The history of the Takarazuka Revue Founder Kobayashi Ichizou opted for an all-female cast as a direct parallel to the all-male casts of Kabuki. He also wanted to take advantage of the growing national interest in Western style theatre performances.
What is the Takarazuka effect?
Because Takarazuka fans seem so passionate about their favorite actresses, Western scholars who study Takarazuka often describe it as a “lesbian” phenomenon, while Japanese scholars, fans, and actresses alike insist that there is no romantic attraction at work.
What is the motto of Takarazuka Music School?
Purity, Honesty, Beauty
Moreover, we at the Takarazuka Music School emphasize the importance of acquiring the decency and etiquette encapsulated in our school motto: “Purity, Honesty, Beauty” We are convinced that this emphasis will significantly help students develop their own sophisticated personalities even further, as women and as …
When did Takarazuka start?
1913
This practice of one gender playing parts of the other is seen in mirror image in Kabuki, an all-male form of theater in which the actors in the female roles succeed in exuding more feminine allure than actual women. The Takarazuka Revue was established in 1913 by Kobayashi Ichizo, the founder of Hankyu Railway.
Is Kabuki still male only?
Originally, both men and women acted in Kabuki plays, but eventually only male actors performed the plays: a tradition that has remained to the present day. Male actors specialized in women’s roles are called onnagata. Two other major role types are aragoto (rough style) and wagoto (soft style).
What is the female role in Kabuki?
The onnagata actors who play female roles in Kabuki do not imitate actual women; they create an on-stage image of a woman through the power of their art. There are a variety of female roles, including lively young women, noble princesses, unpretentious wives of townsfolk, and resolute women from samurai families.
Is kabuki all male?
What does the female roles of kabuki wear?
Unmarried girls and young wives wear long swinging sleeves (furisode). For this role the onnagata wears an underkimono held closed by a stiff wide sash (obi) wrapped around the waist and tied. He wears a loose red uchikake over it.
Why are females not allowed in Kabuki?
The popularity of onna (“women’s”) Kabuki remained high until women’s participation was officially banned in 1629 by the shogun (military ruler) Tokugawa Iemitsu, who thought that the sensuality of the dances had a deleterious effect on public morality.
Why is there no woman in Kabuki?
History of the form Okuni’s Kabuki was the first dramatic entertainment of any importance that was designed for the tastes of the common people in Japan. The sensuous character of the dances (and the prostitution of the actors) proved to be too disruptive for the government, which in 1629 banned women from performing.
Can females perform kabuki?
The modern all-male kabuki was originally known as yarō kabuki (“male kabuki”) to distinguish it from earlier forms. In the early 17th century, shortly after the emergence of the genre, many kabuki theaters had an all-female cast (onna kabuki), with women playing men’s roles as necessary.
Does kabuki have female actors?
Actors who play female roles in Kabuki are called onnagata. Although there are some who act both male and female characters with great skill (kaneru yakusha), there are many important roles that call for true specialists.
Who are the most famous Japanese actresses after Takarazuka?
Most former top performers become famous actresses and pursue a lasting career in the entertainment business. Some of the best known names include Hitomi Kuroki, Yuki Amami and Rei Dan, all of whom have built impressive post-Takarazuka careers and are on TV at least once a day, be it a commercial or TV series.
What happens to former top performer Takarazuka’s careers?
Most former top performers become famous actresses and pursue a lasting career in the entertainment business. Some of the best known names include Hitomi Kuroki, Yuki Amami and Rei Dan, all of whom have built impressive post-Takarazuka careers and are on TV at least once a day, be it a commercial or TV series. They are safe in the industry forever.
Are there any perfect men in Takarazuka?
There may not be any perfect men in the real world but they exist in the world of Takarazuka fans. Since all characters are performed by women, there are otokoyaku (male roles) and musumeyaku (female roles). Otokoyaku are most in demand — as far as fans are concerned — because they are the top stars.
What is the Takarazuka Revue?
The Takarazuka Revue, or simply Takarazuka, is not only a difficult word to pronounce for foreigners, but is also a performing art that is still largely unknown to many.