Glossary of Takarazuka Terms
Jun. 14th, 2009 07:24 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
masahiThis information was put together from my own knowledge, from the Taka-Wiki and from things I have been told by fellow fans. It is not, by any means, a complete list, but these are some of the main terms.
The terms are divided into sections. If you click on the section you wish to see in the list below, you will jump directly to that point on the page.
Takarazuka Music School
Takarasiennes - Roles & Positions
Troupes & Current Top Stars
Theatres & Tickets
Performances & Events
Fan Clubs & Behaviour
Magazines & Promotional Materials
Other Terms
The Takarazuka Revue
The Takarazuka revue is an all-woman theatre revue company based in Takarazuka, about half an hour from Osaka. It was founded by Kobayashi Ichizou and is run by the Hankyu corporation.
Originally founded in 1913, as a counterpoint to the all-male Kabuki, it put aside the historic associations of actresses with prostitution to follow a code of Pure, Proper and Beautiful. It has gained popularity and present has five troupes performing a rotation of shows in two main theatres and various other theatres around Japan, as well as the occasional international tour.
A detailed history of the foundation and development of the revue can be found on The TakaWiki.
Takarazuka Music School
The actresses within the company take part in a gruelling training process after strict auditions. Around 40 girls are chosen annually for the training, and they spend two years as students in the Takarazuka Music School.
The school has a very rigid system of hierarchies, that begins from the moment a student enters the school. Every student must treat their elders with respect and courtesy, most especially the most junior pupils, who have to follow the strict guidelines of behaviour.
The most famous - or notorious - aspect of the school is the fact that the girls not only train in dance, music, singing, acting and traditional disciplines, but must also clean the school every day, to promote discipline and encourage hard work.
Once the two years of training are complete, the students will take part in a traditional line-dance before being allocated troupes. Every girl who makes it this far is contractually obligated to remain with the company for 7 years altogether. After that, they are able to 'graduate' from the company.
Takarasiennes - Roles & Positions
Joukyuusei
Upperclassmen are Siennes who have completed their 7 year basic contract, and have stayed on beyond it.
Kakyuusei
Lowerclassmen: The actresses who have been performers in Takarazuka for less than seven years, under the basic contract.
OG
Old Girls, also known as the actresses who have retired from Takarazuka. Some continue to perform, others choose not to.
Otokoyaku
Women who play the male roles. Literally translates as 'male role'. They are meant to represent the ideal, perfect man, and the top performers usually have huge, mostly-female fan-bases.
Musumeyaku
Women who play the female roles. Literally translates as 'daughter role'. While the Musumeyaku roles used to be traditional, in the last couple of decades, there have been stronger roles for the Musumeyaku.
Onnayaku
The unofficial term for the older and usually stronger female roles. It literally translates as 'female role', which put them on a more level footing with the Otokoyaku.
Occasionally, there are gender role flips. Usually, it is an otokoyaku who takes the role of a musumeyaku. Examples include Ichiro Maki playing Scarlett O'Hara, while she was was Top Star of Snow Troupe, and Sena Jun as Elisabeth in her move to become Top Star of Moon Troupe. Some performers make the flip occasionally, others make it a permanent shift, though this is rarer.
Top Star
The lead Otokoyaku and/or Musumeyaku of each troupe are classed as the Top Stars.
Golden Combination
The perfect top star combination is rare. The most famous one is Wao Youka & Hanafusa Mari, who spent 6 years as the Top Combi of Cosmos Troupe.
Nibante
Second-ranked Otokoyaku
Sanbante
Third-ranked Otokoyaku
Kumichou
The Troupe leader. Each troupe has one, who is the eldest member of the troupe, but not usually the Top Star (ie. Sena Jun is currently the highest ken performer in Moon Troupe, but is Top Star and not kumichou).
Fukukumichou
The second most-senior troupe member after the Kumichou.
Troupes & Current Top Stars
When the revue was formed in 1913, there were so few performers that troupes were unnecessary. Now, the company is divided into five main troupes, each with their own top stars. The sixth troupe is a league unto itself.
Hanagumi / Flower Troupe
One of the original troupes, Flower Troupe has seen a large number of recent top stars passing through its ranks. It is currently led by Matobu Sei and Ayane Sakurano.
Tsukigumi / Moon Troupe
Another of the original troupes, Moon Troupe appears to incline towards strong character pieces and have an affinity towards comedy as well. It is currently led by Kiriya Hiromu & Aono Yuki.
Yukigumi / Snow Troupe
Snow Troupe was added in 1924 and have recently been specialising in Nihonmono. Currently, it has a strong set of otokoyaku, who have formed Aqua5, an all-girl boyband, around performances. They are currently led by Mizu Natsuki and Aihara Mika.
Hoshigumi / Star Troupe
Star Troupe was founded in 1931, then disbanded in 1939, before being re-established in 1948. It is prominent for its strong acting and period dramas. It is currently led by Yuzuki Reon and Yumesaki Nene.
Soragumi / Cosmos Troupe
The most recent addition in 1998, Cosmos was the home of the famous Golden Combination of Youka Wao and Mari Hanafusa for several years. It now has the tallest set of Otokoyaku in the company. It is currently led by Oozora Yuuhi & Nono Sumika.
Senka - Special Class
Performers who choose to step down from the full schedule of performing, but who do not wish to retire are able to join the Senka troupe. The actresses can perform with any troupe, whatever their own previous troupe affiliations. It is led by Todoroki Yuu.
Theatres & Tickets
Takarazuka Dai Gekijo
The Takarazuka Grand Theatre is the main theatre, based in the city of Takarazuka, about 30 minutes from Osaka by train and ten minutes walk from the station. The current theatre was built in 1993.
Tokyo Takarazuka Gekijo
The Tokyo Takarazuka Theatre is in a district populated by several theatres, within walking distance of JR Tokyo station and the Imperial Gardens. The current theatre was built in 2001.
Both theatres have the stage level and a single balcony, and can seat over 2,000 people.
Bow Hall
Part of the Takazuka complex, the Bow Hall houses smaller shows, with notably less seats.
One thing to know about Takarazuka tickets is that they can range from the extortionate to the nicely manageable.
SS-Seki
These are the best seats in the house, bar none, and the chances of a non-fanclub member getting any of them is somewhere between slim and nil. They are the central and front block and usually cost over 11,000 yen.
S-Seki
Most of the lower level, including the front rows on the far left and right of the stage, and front rows of the balconies are classed as S-Seki: not the best seats, but still very, very good. Tickets are usually about 8,000 yen.
A-Seki
In the Tokyo Theatre, A-Seki are only available on the balcony, while in the Takarazuka Grand Theatre, there are several rows of A-Seki seats on the bottom level.
B-Seki
B-seki would be classed as the worst seats in the theatre, but with opera glasses for rent, it is still possible to see the action well enough.
Toujitsuken
Same day tickets - every day, a certain number of B-seki tickets are released for the performance that day. Queues can start forming early in the morning for these tickets.
Narabi
The queue that forms for the Toujitsuken tickets.
Tachi-mi
Standing room tickets. There are allocated spots, which cost 1,500 yen.
Sabaki
This refers to both fans and touts who will sell their spare/unwanted tickets at the theatre just before the show.
Performances & Events
Shonichi
The first performance of a show's run.
Maeruku
The penultimate performance before the final show in a run.
Senshuuraku
The final show of a run. Sometimes shortened to raku.
Ohirome kouen
The debut performance of a new Top Star.
Shinjin kouen
During both runs of the show, the junior troupe members have a chance to perform the lead roles, usually in a slightly abridged version of the performance.
Hatsubutai
The debut performance. Every actress takes part in the traditional line dance in their first performance, which is part of one of the main troupe's revues.
TCA Special
Once a year, the troupes put on a special performance together, using material from various shows throughout the year.
Dinner Show
A show in which a performer, usually backed up by junior performers, will perform a series of songs and dances. There is usually some chat to the audience as well.
Nihonmono
A play that has a historical Japanese setting.
Fan Clubs & Behaviour
Fanclubs
The fanclubs are part of the whole Takarazuka package. All of the Otokoyaku top stars have them, and many of the lower otokoyaku have their own loyal followings. There are fanclubs for some Musumeyaku, as well, but from what I've heard, there are less and they are usually smaller. They usually include a fee for membership and benefits that relate to the actress of choice.
Irimachi
The waiting for the arrival of actresses. Fanclub members will congregate and sometimes, give gifts and letters to their particular star as they enter the theatre.
Demachi
After the shows, fans or fanclubs will often wait to see their performer leave the theatre.
Ochakai
The tea parties are small events held by fanclubs with the guest of honour being their particular star. They can feature games, prizes and quizzes.
Reijou
Standard postcards/greeting cards sent out by Siennes to fans. Most of these cards have pre-printed messages and autographs on them. Sometimes, the Sienne in question will write a message as well, but it really does depend on the size of her fanclub whether she will be able to.
Sumire Code
The code of conduct that Takarazuka fans are expected to abide by when they enter the fandom.
Tomo no Kai
The officially endorsed Takarazuka fanclub, literally translated as 'Friends Club'. Members receive some privileges, though not to the same extent as the individual actress fanclubs.
Magazines & Promotional Material
Chirashi
A4 promotion leaflets, usually featuring the poster of a show on one side, and the dates and details about the location, dates and times on the other.
Graph
A magazine which features interviews and special features about specific productions.
Kageki
A magazine filled with general features and articles.
Mook
A term used for a magazine/book, usually full of images and images.
Otome
An annual Who's Who of the Takarasiennes, featuring photos and profiles.
Sky Stage
The Takazuka cable television channel available in Japan.
Other Terms
Aishou
Nicknames/petnames. Every actress usually has at least one nickname, which may or may not appear to correspond with her stage name or real name. It can get confusing, but you get used to it.
Geimei
Stage-name. Every actress has to assume a stage name before her debut.
Graduation
Since the actresses are considered students throughout their careers with Takarazuka, when they choose to retire from the company, it is called Graduation instead.
Kenkyuuka
This refers to the number of years it has been since an actress debuted. You may see actresses refered to as ken followed by a number, showing their time with the company.
TMP
Takarazuka Music Productions is the former name of the brand.
TCA
Takarazuka Creative Arts became the new of the branded products in the mid-90s.
If there is anything you feel should be added or corrected, please let me know.
(no subject)
Date: 2009-06-15 07:40 pm (UTC)Also on Takarasiennes - Roles & Positions, there's another word for a Musumeyaku in which is unofficial but its called Onnayaku. Since Musme means "daughter", Onna in this case is a female to make it equal to the Otokoyaku on stage.
I hope I got these right, ^^;;
(no subject)
Date: 2009-06-15 07:43 pm (UTC)I forgot to close my tags, ^^;;
(no subject)
Date: 2009-06-15 07:58 pm (UTC)