Speaker: Hiromi Tsuchiya Dollase, Vassar College

Explore gender performance in girls’ popular culture in modern and contemporary Japan with Dr. Dollase. This talk will discuss the creation of Japanese girls' culture, the concepet of “shōjo” and the significance of Takarazuka. The Takarazuka (all-female musical theater troupe), established in 1913, has played a major role in the development of girls’ culture. Actresses who played the role of male characters were called “beauties in male costume” and in the past, they were idolized by school girls. Takarazuka teaches girls the fluidity of gender: male and female, masculinity and femininity, all roles in girls’ culture. Girls’ comics inspired by Takarazuka, including Tezuka Osamu’s Ribbon Knight and Ikeda Riyoko’s Rose of Versailles emerged after the war. These works feature cross-dressing heroines. Dr. Dollase demonstrates  the world of girls’ comics challenges gender stereotypes, generating a space where young female readers can negotiate between their own desires and social reality. Bring questions! Sign up to win prizes! Find out about TUJ! Enjoy Asian refreshments!

Dr. Hiromi Tsuchiya Dollase, associate professor of Japanese teaches and researches Japanese literature and language at Vassar College. Her publications include Shōjo Manga Wonderland (Meiji Shoin, 2012) and a special issue of US–Japan Women’s Journal featuring shjo manga. Her new book, Age of Shōjo: The Emergence, Evolution, and Power of Japanese Girls’ Magazine Fiction, is forthcoming from SUNY Press in May 2019. Book signing or advance sales on April 10! Sign up to win a copy!