The Representation of War in Takarazuka Revue’s Performance Strategy

Abstract

In this paper, I delve into Takarazuka Revue’s performative representation of war, death and suffering with particular focus on the past ten years (since 2014). Based on extensive fieldwork and in-depth literature research, the four pivotal performances chosen as case-studies serve to highlighting the gradual shift from a worldview which rejects war as barbaric towards a vision of/for the future in which war is not only accepted but integrated into the quotidian realities as an inseparable phenomenon. Instead of fighting against war, it seems that the alternative solution proposed by Takarazuka Revue’s recent on-stage developments is to acknowledge war as a means to an end, to achieve and maintain peace as foundation for political stability and economic prosperity.