Ponderings, or at least the beginnings of ponderings...
I gave in last night and caught up with all my girly pampering, which meant multiple step facial treatment with what's left of the Philosophy set I bought myself for my birthday last year, shaving my legs, slathering myself in the Japanese Cherry Blossom body butter I got with my coupon from Bath and Body Works, buffing my nails and sundry other such things. I seem to go through these cycles of taking really fastidious and bordering on nitpicky care of myself and reveling in that almost stereotypical femininity and then losing the energy to deal with it. I'm sure that says something about how I feel about feminism and gender roles and all that sort of thing, but for the time being I'm happy to fuss with my skin care regime and make an appointment to get a manicure next time I get paid.
I have to say that one of the things I love about 'Zuka, and one of the real gifts I think I've been given by my exposure to it, is that it puts the fluidity and impermanence of gender roles and stereotyping into such high relief. The idea that you can have women like all of those beautiful otokoyaku I've fallen in love with who are so strong and majestic and powerful but who can be so delicate and feminine when they choose, and musumeyaku who are so lovely and graceful but can command an entire troupe with the raise of an eyebrow -- it's liberating to have that as a continual reality through Takarazuka. It's easy to complain about the type casting that goes on in 'Zuka, but when you look at the variety of physical and personality type amongst just the current batch of tops and nibante, the idea that these amazingly disparate women are all given the chance to stride around on stage and make their adoring audience swoon and cry and laugh and everything in between, well, the type casting strikes me as not as important as maybe it otherwise seems.
I know there was more I was going to say but I've gotten distracted by looking around online for a few core pieces to redo my closet to meet the Tim Gunn standard so I shall leave it at that. I think the important part is just that I've found a place where I'm happy with myself, but am actively wanting to make changes, which is interesting and exciting all at once.
Also, I really have to finish this letter to Dai. Really really. I should go try and do that before I head to sleep.
I have to say that one of the things I love about 'Zuka, and one of the real gifts I think I've been given by my exposure to it, is that it puts the fluidity and impermanence of gender roles and stereotyping into such high relief. The idea that you can have women like all of those beautiful otokoyaku I've fallen in love with who are so strong and majestic and powerful but who can be so delicate and feminine when they choose, and musumeyaku who are so lovely and graceful but can command an entire troupe with the raise of an eyebrow -- it's liberating to have that as a continual reality through Takarazuka. It's easy to complain about the type casting that goes on in 'Zuka, but when you look at the variety of physical and personality type amongst just the current batch of tops and nibante, the idea that these amazingly disparate women are all given the chance to stride around on stage and make their adoring audience swoon and cry and laugh and everything in between, well, the type casting strikes me as not as important as maybe it otherwise seems.
I know there was more I was going to say but I've gotten distracted by looking around online for a few core pieces to redo my closet to meet the Tim Gunn standard so I shall leave it at that. I think the important part is just that I've found a place where I'm happy with myself, but am actively wanting to make changes, which is interesting and exciting all at once.
Also, I really have to finish this letter to Dai. Really really. I should go try and do that before I head to sleep.