Month: February 2019

Special #16: “The Flowering of the Musical” (1960s)

The 1960s saw the Takarazuka Revue reach its 50th anniversary. It also saw the first Broadway musicals performed by the Revue, and an influx of all things 60s!

Photos from “70 Years of the Takarazuka Revue” publication (1984)

Sumi Hanayo as the Pineapple Queen in “Splendor of a Thousand Beats” (1961). She is flanked by Nachi Wataru and Uchinoe Noboru.
A photo taken in Takarazuka Familyland to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Takarazuka Revue (1964).
2nd European Tour: Paris, France (1965).
Maho Shibuki and Ohara Masumi in the 3rd Broadway musical of the 1960s: “Carousel” (1969).

Songs Used in This Podcast

All songs from the “Takarazuka Revue – After the War” CD Collection

“Save the Last Dance For Me” (Going Forte) Sumi Hanayo (1961)

“The Takarasienne are Coming” (Cheers to Takarasienne!) Maho Shibuki (1967)

“My Idol” (My Idol) Nachi Wataru (1968)

Links

Glossary

Bambies

shinjin kouen

Help us with our Japanese Phrase special!

We’d love YOUR help!

We’re looking to have a short special about Japanese words and phrases related to the Takarazuka Revue. These can be technical words that are unique to the Revue or its fandom (like “otokoyaku”), or phrases you hear a lot in Takarazuka plays or shows, or something super cute or thoughtful that your favorite has said!

Please share with us a word or phrase that you like or find interesting and tell us a little bit why. You can either drop a note in the comments below, or email us at takarazukapodcast@gmail.com.

We’d especially love it if you sent us a recording that we can incorporate into the show! We’re looking to make this a real fandom effort. If you’d like to send us a short, minute or so clip, please record as a .wav or .mp3 and send it to us at takarazukapodcast@gmail.com.

Confused? Not sure? Drop us a note below!

Episode 38: Farewell Manaki Reika (and Touka Yurino)

Sorry this one is so late coming out! We originally recorded it back at the end of November, which is why some time references may seem a little off. But even late, we wanted to share our love! Join Kitty, Lella, and Jen as they discuss Star Troupe news and then share their love of recently retired Moon Troupe top musumeyaku Manaki Reika (and kumichou Touka Yurino).

(Apologies for the rough sound. One of our tracks wasn’t editable so we had to use our combined track in places which means we couldn’t isolate and remove some of the rougher bits and coughs.)

Actresses/Directors Mentioned in this Episode:

Aizuki Hikaru
Amatsu Otome
Ayahoshi Rion
Chapi (Manaki Reika)
Chinatsu (Houzuki An)
Hanafusa Mari
Jou (Kijou Mitsuru)
Kai-chan (Nanami Hiroki)
Kasugano Yachiyo
Katori Reira
Kouzuki Ruu
Makoto Tsubasa
Masao (Masaki Ryuu)
Mayupon (Kizuki Yuuma)
Mirion (Misaki Rion)
MiyaRuri (Miya Rurika)
Rei (Yuzuka Rei)
Reiko (Tsukishiro Kanato)
Saou Kurama
Seocchi (Seo Yuria)
Shiiran (Ichijou Azusa)
Tamakichi (Tamaki Ryou)
Touka Yurino
Toyoko (Suzumi Shio)
Umi-chan (Umino Mitsuki)

Ikuta Hirokazu
Koike Shuuichirou
Masatsuka Haruhiko
Saitou Yoshimasa
Ueda Keiko
Ueda Kumiko

Shows Mentioned in This Episode:

Click on the “Chapi” link above for all of the shows mentioned from her career linked from her TakaWiki profile!
Also…
Beside the Foggy Elbe / Estrellas
Love Blooms Out on the Murasakino
Man From Algiers

Additional Links:

“Tommy Tune in Japan” article on Sunday Morning show
“Tommy Tune in Japan” video clip from Sunday Morning show
Kitty’s translations about Manaki Reika
Salon de Takarazuka – Place to dress up and get your photo taken for a (steepish) fee (Japanese only)

Glossary:

  • Cafe Break – Takarazuka TV interview show that airs on a Tokyo station
  • Kageki (歌劇) – Lit. “opera”; name of one of the Takarazuka Revue magazines
  • kumichou (組長) – Lit. “group leader”; senior-most member of the troupe with special responsibilities over the troupe
  • mesen (目線) – Lit. “eye line”; making and holding eye contact
  • NHK – Japanese public TV station
  • otsukaresama (お疲れ様) – Lit. “you are tired”; a way of thanking/acknowledging someone’s hard work
  • Ouran Host Club – manga/anime that often references Takarazuka
  • sotsugyou (卒業) – Lit. “graduation”; because Takarazuka actresses are referred to as “students” during their career in the Takarazuka Revue, a way of referring to their retirement from the Revue is to say that they are graduating
  • taidan (退団) – Lit. “leaving the troupe”; retiring from the Takarazuka Revue