Questioning Women’s Prevalence in Takarazuka Theatre:The Interplay of Light and Shadow

• Published in: Cipango - French Journal of Japanese Studies no. 5
• Main Author: Michel‑Lesne, Claude
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: INALCO 16.07.2019
• Subjects: Takarazuka Shingeiza; male actors; mixité; diversity; histoire théâtrale; revue Takarazuka; Takarazuka Kokuminza; theatre history; tradition; stage arts; acteurs; Takarazuka Revue

This article offers an insight of a little‑known aspect of Takarazuka Revue’s history, which counters the official discourse of the eponymous theatre company, promoting the all-female nature of their troupes. By analyzing the accidental origins of male roles (otokoyaku) being embodied by young girls...