Almost to Takarakuza Revue

Back in university when I was pursuing Sociology, I took the module (I think) "Gender and Equality" and one of the topics which fascinated me was the world of Takarakuza Revue.

Post kabuki in the early 1900s, one man dreamt up a business of Western-style musicals fronted by an all female cast to boost ticket sales on his railway line in Japan. The railway was Hankyu Railway and the destination was Takarakuza. The company became so successful that the rest is history. Not quite, because to become good enough to perform on the Takarakuza Revue, one has to first gain entry into the competitive Takarakuza Music School. It isn't all song and games of course. Students undergo strict and disciplined schedules and pit themselves to achieve their best and find their niche so that eventually they become the star of the Revue. Okay ~ this is sounding all Battle Royale but it isn't. Bottom line is that beneath the glitz and glamour is always hard work and lots of effort. I vaguely remember a video screened of this group of parents trying to get their children into the Takarakuza Music School and man, don't think for one second that it's tough to get into Primary 1 until you have sight of that scene. Or perhaps my mind is playing exaggerated tricks on me. That aside, the students are eventually separated into two 'specialisations' (if you will) - the male otokoyaku and female musumeyaku characters - where they perfect the art of their craft. For the otokoyaku, they even have to speak in the masculine form because Japanese culture delineates male and female form of speech. There's such dedication in the way they devote themselves to their roles that you can't help but respect them for it.

So anyway, while waiting for the train after the Instant Ramen Museum (see earlier post here), I looked up and saw this poster:

Oh my, I couldn't believe that I was on THE Takarakuza line! Then I realised that all these Ocean's Eleven posters I had seen in the railway stations were *of course* one of their upcoming shows!

(Source: Takarazuka Revue)

While there are strong lesbian overtones in the idea of an all-female cast with women cross-dressing and taking on masculine roles in the theatre, it was never meant to be. In fact, these women were intended to embody values of good wives and wise mothers upon leaving the company. These Revue stars have an even more limited shelf-life than Hollywood actors and actresses, as they have to make way for the new generation which graduates each year. My studies also delved into the post-Revue lifestyles of these stars who understandably find it difficult to adjust to life as a normal Japanese lady. Ah, I loved being a student and learning all these interesting facets of other cultures. Shall go find my old books to jog my memory along.

For now, just some links I found online: [1] [2] [3]