A Helpful Glossary Of Takarazuka Terms
A Helpful Glossary of Takarazuka Terms
(In English alphabetical order)Berubara – Short for “Berusaiyu no Bara” the Japanese title of “Rose of Versailles,” probably Takarazuka's most popular show ever. It's based on the manga by Riyoko Ikeda, first published in the 1970's. There is also an anime. It tells the story of a woman named Oscar who was raised as a boy and her life in the French court before and during the French revolution.
Bow Hall – a second, small theater in Takarazuka city. At this theater they perform smaller shows, usually starring an up-and-coming junior troupe member. Although "Bow Hall" refers to the theater, most of the non-Japanese fans I know call any show starring a junior troupe member a "Bow Hall" - even when it's held at another theater.
Daigekijou – “Grand Theater.” This is the main theater in Takarazuka city.
Demachi – “De” means “leave” and “machi” means “wait.” It means waiting for the stars to leave the theater after the last show of the day, so you can take pictures, give fan letters, or otherwise show what a geek you are. (See Irimachi and Demachi)
Dinner Show – a special little concert held for a star, usually at a hotel ballroom, with very limited seating. The star gets a certain amount of control over their performance, and can bring “guests” from their troupe to back them up. Getting tickets to a dinner show is quite a score for the average fan.
Etoile – I don't know what it means in French, but in Takarazuka “Le Etoile” is when a singer (usually a musumeyaku) stands at the top of the stairs at the beginning of the finale and sings a brief solo as introduction. She's usually holding some sort of goofy fan or decorative board or something.
Geimei – Stage name
Gekijou – "Theater" i.e. "Tokyo Gekijou" means "Tokyo Theater"
Ginkyou – "Silver bridge." This is the curved walkway that sticks out from the stage and goes around the orchestra pit so the stars can get closer to the audience. No, it's not okay to touch the stars.
-Gumi – “Gumi” (or "kumi") means “Troupe.” "Hana-gumi" is “Flower Troupe” and so on.
Hakama – Traditional Japanese pants, kind of like culottes. Takarazuka performers wear green hakama (midori no hakama) on special occasions, such as debuts and retirements.
Hanagumi – Flower Troupe
Hatsubutai – Debut show. A new performer's first performance – always a line dance – after they graduate from the music school.
Honka - "Main Course" - Takarazuka Music School second year students
Hoshigumi – Star Troupe
Irimachi – “Iri” is “Enter/Come” and “Machi” is “Wait.” It means waiting for the stars to arrive at the theater before the first show of the day. (See Irimachi and Demachi)
Kageki – “Opera.” (The Japanese name for Takarazuka is "Takarazuka Kageki" - literally "Takarazuka Opera.") Also the name of a Takarazuka fan magazine.
Kazetomo – Short for “Kaze to Tomo ni Sarinu”, Japanese for “Gone With the Wind.” Takarazuka created a musical based on the famous movie/book. It's arguably Takarazuka's second most popular show.
Kiyoku, Tadashiku, Utsukushiku - "Purely, Righteously, Beautifully" this is Takarazuka's official motto
Kodomo Atene - "Children's Atheneum" More informal classes Takarazuka runs for young girls. Many Takarazuka stars go to the Atene before joining Takarazuka.
Kumichou – "Troupe Leader." This is the performer in a troupe who debuted first. They're supposed to be in charge of all the other troupe members.
Musumeyaku – A performer of women's roles. “Musume” literally means “daughter” or “young girl,” implying that the roles are cute and that performers aren't taken seriously. For this reason, some fans prefer the term onnayaku.
Nissei Gekijou – Nissei Theater. This is a theater next door to the Tokyo Takarazuka Theater. It occasionally shows special Takarazuka productions, though the rest of the time it's just a regular stage theater.
Ochakai – “Tea party.” Fanclubs arrange a special appearance of their star once for each show and only club members and their guests can attend. Games, group photos with the star, and question and answer sessions are standard.
Ongaku gakko – “Music School.” All Takarazuka performers are trained at its private – and highly prestigious – school. Students learn ballet, tap, traditional Japanese dance, singing, acting, and musical instruments in this two year program. First year students also have to clean the entire school by hand every day.
Onnayaku – an unofficial term for musumeyaku. It literally means “female role.”
Ookaidan – "Grand staircase." The big stairway they roll out at the finale for the stars to walk down.
Otokoyaku – A performer of men's roles. Literally it means “male role.” Just to confuse you, sometimes an otokoyaku will play a woman – and they're not always good at it.
Otome – The book published annually that lists all current Takarazuka performers by troupe. Very useful for remembering nicknames and finding out when people debuted.
Rocket – Another word for the line dance without which no Takarazuka show is complete. Yes, the high-pitched “Ya!” that goes with the kicks is tradition.
Seito - Takarazuka performers are referred to as "students" rather than actresses.
Senka – The company likes to translate this as “Special Course” which makes it sound like part of a fancy meal… Senka is a special sort-of-troupe for performers over the age of 40 who don't want to retire. They make special appearances in other troupes' shows. In the year 2000, the company tried a new senka system, moving the 2nd and 3rd stars of each troupe into senka, having them perform with different troupes, then assigning new top stars to troupes independent of their original troupe “affiliation.” This system proved quite unpopular and “new” senka seems to be being phased out.
Shinjin Kouen - Literally means "Newcomer Show." During the run of a show, there is one night where the play (but not the revue) is performed using the junior troupe members in the main roles. They do this once while they're performing in Takarazuka, and once while they're performing in Tokyo.
Soragumi – Cosmos troupe
Sotsugyou – "Graduate." A Takarazuka performer is supposed to "graduate" rather than "retire" from Takarazuka. See "Taidan"
Star no Kobeya – “The Star's Little Room. ”A TV show dedicated to Takarazuka, shown on Japanese cable.
Sumire Code – The “Violet” Code. This is the unspoken rules by which Takarazuka fans and performers must abide. Sometimes disturbing to independent-minded foreigners.
Tachimi – “Stand and watch.” A theater ticket that lets you stand and watch the show from the back. No, you really don't get to sit down.
Taidan – "Leave a troupe" - that is, retire from Takarazuka. This is the phrase I usually see performers use in interviews and such.
Takarazuka – The city for which the revue company is named
Takarasienne – A fancy French way of saying “Takarazuka performer.” Takarazuka likes French stuff.
Theater Drama City – A theater in Osaka that often hosts special Takarazuka performances.
Toujitsuken – “Same Day Ticket.” What you hope to get when you line up at the theater way too early in the morning...
Tsukigumi – Moon troupe
Yoka - "Preparatory Course" - Takarazuka Music School first year students
Yukigumi – Snow Troupe