Asian Studies Seminar Series: Helen Parker

About the event

The talk will examine the portrayal of male and female in the usually all-male kabuki theatre, taking account of the cultural context in which kabuki originated, and how actors specialising in female roles (onnagata), and actors who play opposite them in adult male roles (tachiyaku) fit the kabuki aesthetic.

It suggests that due to the high degree of stylisation, there exists on the kabuki stage, alongside gender fluidity, a fluidity between reality and creativity. This cultivates the performance of versions of masculinity and femininity that are at the same time exaggerated and convincing. While this sometimes results in performances that exacerbate the gender binary, it can also provide valuable opportunities for actors and audiences to explore and extend gender fluidity.

After a discussion of gender performance and the onnagata (female-role) tradition, the talk explores two instances in which the all-male cast considered typical of kabuki is less fixed: amateur kabuki performances at local festivals, which often feature both male and female actors; and the “ultra-kabuki” (chō-kabuki) performances at Niconico Chōkaigi Festival, in which a professional kabuki actor co-stars with virtual female vocaloid Hatsune Miku.

How to attend

This event is free to attend and open to all. No registration is required, simply turn up on the day.

Are you interested in studying with us?

We are the only university in Scotland to offer full undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes in both Chinese and Japanese, as well as postgraduate programmes in Korean Studies and East Asian Studies.