Rethinking Bodies and Performing Femininity: Insights on Gender and Performance Discourses in Early 20th Century Kabuki

This presentation explores the intersection of gender, performance, and the human body within the context of Meiji-Taishō Japanese theatre. Focusing on the evolving portrayal of femininity in Kabuki, the presentation delves into the re-evaluation of bodies and the representation of gender, emphasizing the discourse surrounding gendered performance. The discussion examines the transformative period during which the staged body in Japanese theatre was being reconsidered with a particular focus on discourses within contemporary journals, such as the Kabuki magazine Engei gahō. Special attention is given to the perspectives articulated by Hasegawa Shigure, a pivotal figure of the time and the first Japanese female dramatist. It deals with diverse interpretations and representations of male and female bodies, with a specific regard on the contrast between the onnagata figure and the emerging actresses, highlighting their roles in challenging traditional narratives. By drawing upon historical and cultural contexts, this presentation reveals how the discourse surrounding body, gender and theatrical performance was reshaped in the early 20th century.