Photographs from a small group of islands
The Japanese notion of wabi-sabi is notoriously difficult to describe, let alone try and define; however, whilst many would disagree — including the missus who maybe ought to know more and maintains I’m miles off — this scene, with its sense of transience, silence and certainly sadness, personally at least almost perfectly encapsulates the concept.
As does this, yet somehow not quite as clearly.
Or indeed, completely.
Traditional white make-up and wigs it seems stand out from the crowd just as much as colossal noses combined with equally cumbersome cameras.Â
The mikoshi, or portable shrine, is a favourite of most Japanese festivals, but at the one in Kawagoe, the lifting of such far from light objects is instead forfeited for unfeasibly large floats; heavy and hulking monsters which, when manoeuvred around the city’s relatively narrow streets, are quite a spectacle to say the least.
Allowing the older fellas who lead them to feel understandably important,
and proud.
Although those doing the pushing and pulling all day are perhaps justified in feeling a little bit peeved.
But on the whole it’s a chance for participants of all ages to have a tremendous amount of fun in traditional togs,
as well as timidly tackling a little toddle around town.
In a time when modern fashion sense and cigarette restrictions rule, it’s extremely novel to see the triple whammy of traditional tobacco intake, togs,
and even a topknot.
Due to her comments regarding cosmic trips and connections with Tom Cruise, the new Japanese Prime Minister’s wife, Miyuki Hatoyama, recently made headlines around the world, and, perhaps indirectly, when details of her past were published along with these peculiarities, it also brought some people’s attention to Takarazuka as well as time travel.
Not that any extra exposure is needed in the theatre group’s home country, with its sumptuous centre in the capital (pictured above) planted on prime real estate, along with a presumably equally palatial place in its birthplace, the city of Takarazuka, in Hyogo Prefecture.
Founded in 1913, when behaviour such as public kissing was considered completely uncalled for, the company’s unique feature of having only implied incidents of intimacy acted out by a cast made up entirely of unmarried female performers somehow struck a chord — and rather surprisingly has continued to do so ever since. Current estimates putting the number of paying punters at an impressive 2.5 million a year.
Yet despite the unmanufactured appearance of the model immortalised outside the Tokyo theatre,
looks wise the actresses appear very differently on stage. The ‘male’ members especially dealing in an almost mid-1970s David Bowie demeanour.
Phenomenally so in fact for some features.
Or alternatively a novel approach to New Romanticism is deemed necessary. One that even the most rigid New Romantic would probably run away from.
But, as easy to mock as it may be, its loyal and predominantly female following would definitely deflect any disparaging remarks, especially as the organisation’s performances of musicals and recreations of classics such as Casablanca are so exciting they are even exciter.
And, whilst many forms of entertainment are currently facing problems, as time goes by, Takarazuka will almost certainly survive.
Regardless of whether a kiss is just a kiss.