The Tradition of the Onnagata
The Tradition of the Onnagata: Cross-dressed Actors and Their Roles on the Classical Japanese Stage
Theatre History I
Dr. Kevin Browne
December 7, 2011
Japan, like most cultures, has a long history of men playing the stage roles of women. This paper, The Tradition of the Onnagata: Cross-dressed Actors and Their Roles on the Classical Japanese Stage, will explore the representation of male and female gender in Japan’s highly stylized classical kabuki theatre. I will look at the history of gender roles in Pre-modern Japan and how they influenced the development of the Onnagata, as well as the elaborate techniques and details by which a male transforms himself into the man’s dream of the “perfect woman.” 1. Gender Roles in Pre-Modern Japan
To fully understand the allure of the Onnagata is to look at the attitude of women in Japanese Society. The Japanese have always had strict social traditions that men and women are expected to fulfill. Most of the gender codes were strong and conservative, which resulted in the gender oppression of women. Interestingly, this was not always the case. In fact, in the early days of Japanese history, women had significant authority and power as shamans, chieftains, and empresses. Like many ancient cultures, there were a number of real and mythical female figures in Japanese mythology. Women were also respected in many aspects of life, some of which included politics, religion, and the arts (Henshall). However, women started to notably loose their power towards the end of the eighth century. Like most pre-modern societies, Japan developed through the years with the help of many outside influences. These influences led to the decline of female status and the introduction of Chinese-style Confucianism, Buddhism, and Samurai based feudalism played the most important roles in doing so (Hamilton). The two new male-oriented religions, Chinese-style Buddhism and Confucianism, were introduced to Japan in the
Theatre History I
Dr. Kevin Browne
December 7, 2011
Japan, like most cultures, has a long history of men playing the stage roles of women. This paper, The Tradition of the Onnagata: Cross-dressed Actors and Their Roles on the Classical Japanese Stage, will explore the representation of male and female gender in Japan’s highly stylized classical kabuki theatre. I will look at the history of gender roles in Pre-modern Japan and how they influenced the development of the Onnagata, as well as the elaborate techniques and details by which a male transforms himself into the man’s dream of the “perfect woman.” 1. Gender Roles in Pre-Modern Japan
To fully understand the allure of the Onnagata is to look at the attitude of women in Japanese Society. The Japanese have always had strict social traditions that men and women are expected to fulfill. Most of the gender codes were strong and conservative, which resulted in the gender oppression of women. Interestingly, this was not always the case. In fact, in the early days of Japanese history, women had significant authority and power as shamans, chieftains, and empresses. Like many ancient cultures, there were a number of real and mythical female figures in Japanese mythology. Women were also respected in many aspects of life, some of which included politics, religion, and the arts (Henshall). However, women started to notably loose their power towards the end of the eighth century. Like most pre-modern societies, Japan developed through the years with the help of many outside influences. These influences led to the decline of female status and the introduction of Chinese-style Confucianism, Buddhism, and Samurai based feudalism played the most important roles in doing so (Hamilton). The two new male-oriented religions, Chinese-style Buddhism and Confucianism, were introduced to Japan in the
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