In a previous blog, I had briefly mentioned Takarazuka–the all-women musical reviews of Japan. Now, having done some Internet research, I realize that this world is even more bizarre than I thought. In fact, I may have to join with my fellow offender, Phil in declaring that “Japanese are Freaks”.  (And being Japanese-American, I guess that makes me Freaky-American. On the other hand, I believe Americans are freaks as well, so that must make me 100% Freak. But I digress.)

One part Ziegfield Follies, one part Broadway and one part tranny club, Takarazuka is a highly popular institution that dates back to 1914. Takarazuka musicals can be based on Western Broadway musicals, historical dramas, or Japanese manga—all performed with lavish sets, glittering costumes and big choreographed numbers, and of course, all the parts are played by women.

(The ones in pants are supposed to be male characters.)

As I mentioned in my “Lady Oscar” blog, a long running and highly popular Takarazuka musical was “The Rose of Versailles,” which is the story of a female commander of the Royal guard, Oscar.  Raised to be a man by her father, Oscar’s love interest is Andre, who is technically her servant.  In the Takarazua revue, Oscar is a woman dressed as a man, played by a woman, while Andre is a man, played by a woman. The genius of this is that the musical can appeal across the board to lesbians, gays and heterosexuals! No wonder it was so popular!

But the idea of Takarazuka itself isn’t the whacky part. After all, Shakespeare, Kabuki plays & Chinese Opera have traditions of all male troupes, so it seems only fair that the women broke out with their own troupes.

The whacky part comes with the fans. First of all, the fan clubs are almost exclusively comprised of women and the most popular Takarazuka stars are the “otokoyaku,” or the ones that play the male parts. When a friend of mine told me that she knew someone who was “sponsoring” a Takarazuka star and was working 3 jobs to support her sponsorship, my interest was piqued. What exactly was a sponsor? I could find no direct answers on the Internet, but I did come across some weird videos.  Check this one out:

Questions arose immediately about the cultish nature of the “interaction” with this very butch looking Takarazuka star. Why are they all crouched down? Why are they all so quiet? As they pass what I can only assume to be love letters in the same freakish fashion, why are no words exchanged?

I found some answers from a Japan Times article which explains that this all a part of some strict, self-imposed code of Takarazuka Club etiquette. In addition, fans are supposed to dress in “club wear” so that they can be coordinated in their Takarazukamania.

Here are the red coats:

Here are the blue coats:

(Note the age can range from teens to 80s)

So where does the sponsorship money go? I found some videos of Takarazuka fans giving gifts to their favorite actresses in matching gift bags.

Here, they have collaborated with lollipops:

Still, I find it hard to consider that someone would have to work 3 jobs for club wear and lollipops.

But then, I saw the next video of a very popular white coat group, and though I’m only conjecturing, I’ve decided that they must have all chipped in and bought a very bling Mercedes for this actress, as well as a cape, a crown & even a scepter! Wow! If I were a Takarazuka star, I’d want to be sponsored by the white team. (BTW, I don’t know what went on behind the glass doors, but it looked like all mayhem broke loose.)

So if you happen to visit Japan, I highly recommend checking out a Takarazuka Revue.  Although I hear tickets are hard to come by, if you are lucky enough to score them, I’m sure it will be a memorable experience.