#Oiran Harry

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[cremefraiiiche]

Exploring Gender Fluidity and Aesthetics in Kabuki Theater and Oiran Culture

Torii Kiyomasu I's print depicts two individuals, an Oiran and what looks to be her client, in an amorous exchange. The courtesan is draped in a finely printed kimono that swirls around them, while her counterpart is draped in a long flowing kimono with flowers and other decorative patterns. The illustration of the kabuki theater within Torii’s work presents the modern day viewer with a history of prostitution that does not fit so nicely within a Western heteronormative structure. We are placed in this intimate space, the theater itself, to envision a relationship between courtesan and her client, which was more so reflective of male prostitution than experiences with the Oiran herself.

The Oiran were courtesans in Edo-period Japan who cultivated their femininity and sexuality alongside their education to attract clients. In the quarters of the courtesan, male social dominance was subverted in favor of feminine intellectual and aesthetic expression. The Kabuki theater was a common form of entertainment within the red-light district of Edo, and men often played female roles in productions. Kabuki actors also served as souvenirs, which allowed viewers to idolize actors through an easily reproducible image and engender the ability to travel with the emotive experience of the Kabuki theater and the clandestine environment of Yoshiwara. The physical presentation of the Oiran and the wakashu, or “apprentice actors who stayed ‘in the shadows’ and functioned chiefly as sex workers,” met within the medium of kabuki. The kagema, or kabuki actors trained to play women roles, often utilized the stage as a means to replicate and perfect one’s feminine impression.

Torii Kiyomasu I (Japanese, active 1696–1716),  Kabuki Actors Nakamura Gentaro and Ikushima Shingoro,  ca. 1710, 20 3/4 x 12 5/8 in. (52.7 x 32.1 cm), Woodblock print; ink and color on paper, Edo period. Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City.

The figures of the wakashu and the kagema within the Yoshiwara are symbolic of a larger consideration of gender that rejected a stable consideration of sexual expression and desire. The ability to engage femininity both theatrically and socially alludes to the permissive space of the kabuki theater and the Yoshiwara as one of continual aesthetic experimentation and development. The erasure of distinction between the oiran or the onnagata (or kagema at large) seems to favor sexual fluidity in favor of strict binarisms that take root within the Yoshiwara district.

In conclusion, the kabuki actors who portrayed Oiran illuminates a deeper conversation about gender relations during the Edo period and their associated performances. Through the illustration of the kabuki theater within Torii’s work, we are invited to visually delight in the presence of the courtesan as if she were a real woman, despite an implicit understanding that she is not. The coalescence of the theater and prostitution is an important one, as it is where the physical presentation of the Oiran and the wakashu meet within the medium of kabuki. Ultimately, the ability to engage femininity both theatrically and socially alludes to the permissive space of the kabuki theater and the Yoshiwara as one of continual aesthetic experimentation and development.

Bibliography:

Harris, Frederick. Ukiyo-e: The Art of the Japanese Print. Tuttle, 2011. 

Mostow, Joshua S. “Wakashu as a Third Gender and Gender Ambiguity Through the Edo Period.” In A Third Gender: Beautiful Youths in Japanese Edo-Period Prints and Paintings (1600-1868), 19-39. Toronto: Royal Ontario Museum, 2016. 

Jackson, Reginald. “Translation Fantasies and False Flags: Desiring and Misreading Queerness in Premodern Japan.” In A Proximate Remove: Queering Intimacy and Loss in The Tale of Genji, 1-30. Oakland: University of California Press, 2021.

[trashahime]

I don't get the point of jerking the fans around with all these fake moms. It would just piss everyone off and destroy Inuyasha's legacy. Sunrise is foolish but not that dumb.

I think it was a horrible decision and they should have done things differently if that's what they are doing.

But I think there is a plot reason for it.

The dream butterfly flashback with Setsuna felt like they were erasing Kagura as the flowers in field gradually faded away. Furthermore, it felt like the water surrounding the field was taking over. Due to Rin's current situation, we associate her with water.

So Kagura is not only getting erased but replaced with Rin.

Now, I think the dream butterfly actually is Kagura or working on her behalf. So why would she want herself erased and replaced?

Because the twins would be in great danger if it was known she was their mother.

The danger being Zero. I think she is a jorogumo, a spider demon that is often styled as oiran. I think she has a connection to Naraku and is angry at Kagura for something involving him.

I think Sesshomaru and Kagura put forth the story that he had married a human and his twins are hanyo so that Zero doesn't suspect them.

I think Rin volunteered to act as the mom/wife but after the fire, they realized the ruse was not good enough and drastic measures were taken. Enter the dream butterflies. Merch and the opening and ending credits suggest there are more than one. I think they went around erasing the memories of people who know the truth. Setsuna is the most affected because she had the most memories to taken.

I think Rin volunteered to be the recipient of the memories and is essentially like a secret keeper in the Harry Potter series.

Anyway, the point of a Kagome fake out isn't really meant to be a strong suggestion that she is the twins mom. More to just cast doubt or debunk episode 15 before they ready to reveal the real mom.

[jifsy]

7 Things to Do to Amp Up Your Japan Experience

Planning on a getaway to the land of the rising sun in the upcoming holiday season? Here are some fun filled activities you can check out to amp up your Japan experience!

1. Indulge your Inner Child

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Japan’s first full-scale outdoor LEGOLAND park in Nagoya, is perfect for indulging your inner child. Go on rollercoaster rides, or admire miniature LEGO models of Japanese landmarks such as Tokyo Station and Nagoya Castle at Miniland! Tickets cost from S$68 each for visitors aged 13 and above.

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Tokyo DisneySea is another must-see. Its unique attractions include Venetian gondolas, Aquatopia, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, and Journey to the Center of the Earth. For first timers, be sure to try out the ever popular ride, Toy Story Mania too. Get a 1-Day Passport for a junior (ages 12 to 17) which costs from S$77, and an adult (ages 18 and above) from S$89 and skip the line at the entrance!

  2. Satisfy the Film Buff in you

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If you love movies, you’ll love Universal Studios Japan (located in Osaka) — especially if you’re a Harry Potter fan. There are 15 attractions, eateries and shops in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, and you can even have your photo taken aboard the Hogwarts Express. Can’t get enough of the Minions? Fans of computer-animated comedy film, Despicable Me can rejoice at the all new Minion Park. Launched in the first half of 2017, it’s Minion-themed ride attraction and facilities are guaranteed to keep the young and the young at heart well-entertained. Get a one-day pass to USJ online for ease of entry and time-saving.

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If anime is more your cup of tea, head to the Studio Ghibli Museum in Tokyo, where you will be greeted by the beloved Totoro, who will show you to the entrance. Inside, you can enjoy special exhibitions showcasing the genius of Japanese animation legend Hayao Miyazaki and his team. Do note tickets must be booked in advance and are available from the 1st till the 5th for museum entry on the following month.

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  3. “Climb” a Mountain

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Take the scenic route. Embark on a day tour from Tokyo for S$122, including lunch and a bus transfer. You will be taken to Mount Fuji via the Mount Kachi Kachi Ropeway, which will bring you right to the summit. At the summit, you can take in a 360° view of the volcano and Lake Kawaguchi. You can also enjoy fruit-picking at Misaka Farm and wine-tasting at the Chateau Katsunuma Winery to round off the tour.

  4. Dine and be Entertained

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Have some live entertainment with your dinner in Tokyo and Kyoto. The OIRAN-ZA Night show in Roppongi Kaguwa combines traditional Japanese dance with jazz and even flying drag queens. For S$62, you can enjoy the show and a dinner set.

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For S$40, you can experience a night among ninjas at the Ninja Kyoto Restaurant and Labyrinth, where ninjas will guide and entertain you while you feast on the restaurant’s delectable dishes. The ninja theme is evident in every aspect of the experience, from the two hours of ninja acrobatics to menus shaped like ninja scrolls and serving ware.

5. Dress like a Local

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Go for the Tokyo Kimono Experience at Studio Nanairo, which offers a variety of package options that start from S$76. You can choose from a selection of kimonos, which the staff will teach you how to wear. If you’re there in summer, you can also choose to put on the lighter, more climate-appropriate yukata (summer kimono). There are kimonos for both men and women, so you don’t have to worry about your partner being left out if you go as a couple. And depending on the package you choose, you can have your hair styled, your makeup done, and a studio photo shoot. You can book your kimono experience here.

If you’re in Kyoto, head to Maiko-Henshin Studio Shiki for a similar experience, starting at just S$35. For an additional fee, you can even wear your rented kimono back to your hotel and leave it at the front desk for the studio staff to pick up the next day.

  6. Take the Traditional Route

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If you like going the traditional route, head to Kyoto for Gion Maiko performances and a traditional Kyoto feast. From S$103, you can participate in a guided tour in four languages (including English and Mandarin) that not only gives you a traditional Kyoto feast at a renowned restaurant and access to Maiko performances, but the opportunity to be awed by the stunning night views from atop the Kyoto Higashiyama.

  7. Get a Pass!

A JR (Japan rail) pass, that is. Depending on the pass you purchase, this will allow you to travel around different cities without any hassle. If you are visiting Tokyo and planning to stay within the city, you can get a Tokyo Metro Unlimited Pass for just S$10.

If you have more time on your hands, more cash to spare, and are feeling adventurous, you can shell out S$341 for a seven-day all-Japan JR pass, which gives allows you to travel all over the country via unlimited access to all its rail — including the iconic Shinkansen bullet train — and bus networks. 14-day and 21-day passes are also available here.

  Besides exploring Osaka, Kyoto, and Tokyo, you can immerse yourself in the hot springs of Japan’s northernmost prefecture, Hokkaido, or check out the Macaque snow monkeys. You can even head south to the breath-taking sights of Kyushu. And if you feel like treating yourself, get a Japan Rail Green Car Pass for a first-class luxury rail experience.

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With over 6,000 unforgettable experiences in 53 countries (including Japan) and 170 cities waiting for you to explore, book all your travel activities with KKday today!  For all your travel essentials be sure to check out our travel guide at ezbuy.sg ~ Have fun!

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