No9 [Book] Entertainment made in Japan

Taking the name of the hotspring resort town in which it was founded in 1914, the Takarazuka Revue is a kaleidoscopic experience, both in terms of its theatricality and visual characteristics. This excellent book presents a detailed analysis of the Takarazuka Revue Troupe’s history, educational traditions and theatrical ethos viewed through the prism of Japan’s modernization and globalization in the twentieth century. The Takarazuka troupe are unique as an all female performance group and they have a great appeal among female audiences in Japan. The study also includes an in-depth analysis of the troupe’s continuing success, their daily lives and the wider social impact they have had from various cultural and social perspectives. It’s a beautiful analysis of Japanese society that maintains a strong interest in popular culture. Although not as well known as manga in the Western world, the Takarazuka Revue persists in being an important Japanese cultural phenomenon.

Reference:
Makiko Yamanashi,
History of the Takarazuka Revue