2021 Fiscal Year Research-status Report
Takarazuka Revue's Metamorphosis: From a Local Stage Art Towards a Global Medium
| Project/Area Number |
17K17952
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| Research Institution | Hiroshima University |
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Principal Investigator |
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| Project Period (FY) |
2017-04-01 – 2023-03-31
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| Keywords | 宝塚歌劇団 / 文化的帝国主義 / 文化的消費 / ファン活動 / 現地調査 / 人類学 / 大衆文化 / ハイブリディティー |
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| Outline of Annual Research Achievements |
During the past year (May 2021-April 2022), I have been pursuing the final stages of my research on Takarazuka Revue. The fieldwork was seriously impacted by the prolonged and repeated states of emergency imposed due to the rapid spread of the coronavirus. I could, nevertheless, continue my cooperation in terms of interviews via Zoom and written interaction via email and text-messaging with fans and consumers of Takarazuka Revue, which is the crucial part of my on-going research. I deepened the literature review, both on Takarazuka Revue itself and on related topics, which has allowed me to broaden my interpretation horizon of this phenomenon. I have, simultaneously, continued to write scientific papers on Takarazuka Revue and to publish them in internationally acclaimed scientific journals. In parallel, I have participated in several conferences which took place online with presentations on Takarazuka Revue and related topics.
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| Current Status of Research Progress |
Current Status of Research Progress
3: Progress in research has been slightly delayed.
Reason
The major - and only - reason for my delay was the emergence and spread of the novel coronavirus which led to repeated and extended periods of states of emergency, both in Japan and worldwide. This has led, in turn, to an inability to leave Hiroshima and pursue fieldwork in Takarazuka, which is the essential part of my entire research project. While I was able to focus on organizing and evaluating the previously gathered data and to compile it in academic publications, the socio-medical situation hindered the unfolding of the research project as initially planned.
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| Strategy for Future Research Activity |
For the immediate future, I plan on finishing the book "The Archaeology of Desire: How Takarazuka Revue Has Impacted the World" in accordance with the initial research plan submitted in 2017. The book details the seven principles of the post-media global community with their respective characteristics as featured in Takarazuka Revue's performances, public advertisement, marketing strategies. I observe the multiple layers of the Takarazuka Revue’s administration and self-orchestration such as performance politics, the economic supervision of brand-related consumption, the socio-cultural management of actresses and fandom (fans and fan communities) as well as the performances themselves and their meta-narrative concatenations.
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