Questions for My Thesis
Hello Everyone!
I am incredibly excited to find this group. I have been a big fan of the Takarazuka Revue for the last 2 years, and I am very happy to have found this group.
I'm currently pursuing my MFA in Performance Costume Design in the UK, and I am from the states. For my thesis, I am examining a traditional Japanese play entitled, "Imoseyama Onna Teikin," which is translated to "Mt. Imo and Mt. Se: An Exemplary Tale of Womanly Virtue." A little background: It was originally written in the latter half of the 18th century by Chikamatsu Hanji for the Bunraku, or joruri, Theater, and was later developed into a Kabuki Play in the early 19th century. The play has always been performed with an all-male cast, as is the tradition in Kabuki, and the script has not been translated into English.
For my thesis, I plan to incorporate traditional Kabuki Costume elements, and combine them with period western elements, mainly under-structures (such as corsets, panniers, farthingales, etc.). I will then examine contemporary European and Japanese fashion designers and draw inspiration from them. My goal is to modernize the play into something that draws from both western and Japanese society, but one is not over-shadowing the other. A design that can be blended successfully borrowing from different cultures.
In part of my Context research, I have begun examining the role of gender in this play, and the role of the woman. I have decided to make the cast all-female, basing this from my love of the Takarazuka Revue and the role of the women's Gidayu (woman as warrior) in traditional Japanese plays. I want to play on the title, since it is an exemplary tale of womanly virtue. Yet, the only virtue the women in the play seem to uphold is that of self-sacrifice, so the men may get ahead. I am wanting to use women as the warriors, the conquerors, the intellectuals, lovers, and yes, self-sacrificing maidens. I want to show every facet of a woman. Yes, the women playing men's roles will be dressed mainly as men, but I will not be masking the fact that these are women playing the roles.
My question is, then: How does this make you feel? Do you think I am being offensive to Japanese society/culture by taking a traditional play, which is performed with all=men, and making it an all-female cast? And do you also find it offensive that I am adding western design elements to a traditional Kabuki design? I do not want this to turn into "Japonisme'."
I am looking for your personal opinion, no matter where you are from. This helps my research, and feel free to send me an individual message on here. If you feel there is someone that may be able to help me with my research, or whom I may want/need to talk to about this, I am open to any suggestions. I have also been contacting various academics whom are familiar with the play, over in the UK/States, as well as Japan. And have just sent an email to the Takarazuka Revue.
Thank you for your time!
I am incredibly excited to find this group. I have been a big fan of the Takarazuka Revue for the last 2 years, and I am very happy to have found this group.
I'm currently pursuing my MFA in Performance Costume Design in the UK, and I am from the states. For my thesis, I am examining a traditional Japanese play entitled, "Imoseyama Onna Teikin," which is translated to "Mt. Imo and Mt. Se: An Exemplary Tale of Womanly Virtue." A little background: It was originally written in the latter half of the 18th century by Chikamatsu Hanji for the Bunraku, or joruri, Theater, and was later developed into a Kabuki Play in the early 19th century. The play has always been performed with an all-male cast, as is the tradition in Kabuki, and the script has not been translated into English.
For my thesis, I plan to incorporate traditional Kabuki Costume elements, and combine them with period western elements, mainly under-structures (such as corsets, panniers, farthingales, etc.). I will then examine contemporary European and Japanese fashion designers and draw inspiration from them. My goal is to modernize the play into something that draws from both western and Japanese society, but one is not over-shadowing the other. A design that can be blended successfully borrowing from different cultures.
In part of my Context research, I have begun examining the role of gender in this play, and the role of the woman. I have decided to make the cast all-female, basing this from my love of the Takarazuka Revue and the role of the women's Gidayu (woman as warrior) in traditional Japanese plays. I want to play on the title, since it is an exemplary tale of womanly virtue. Yet, the only virtue the women in the play seem to uphold is that of self-sacrifice, so the men may get ahead. I am wanting to use women as the warriors, the conquerors, the intellectuals, lovers, and yes, self-sacrificing maidens. I want to show every facet of a woman. Yes, the women playing men's roles will be dressed mainly as men, but I will not be masking the fact that these are women playing the roles.
My question is, then: How does this make you feel? Do you think I am being offensive to Japanese society/culture by taking a traditional play, which is performed with all=men, and making it an all-female cast? And do you also find it offensive that I am adding western design elements to a traditional Kabuki design? I do not want this to turn into "Japonisme'."
I am looking for your personal opinion, no matter where you are from. This helps my research, and feel free to send me an individual message on here. If you feel there is someone that may be able to help me with my research, or whom I may want/need to talk to about this, I am open to any suggestions. I have also been contacting various academics whom are familiar with the play, over in the UK/States, as well as Japan. And have just sent an email to the Takarazuka Revue.
Thank you for your time!