Gender Fluidity in Japanese Arts and Culture

Japan is often perceived as a land of custom, convention, and conservatism. While much of Japan’s population does uphold tradition, the nation also has a history of confronting conformity when it comes to gender representation in the arts. Revealed in the pages of the famous Tosa Nikki, through the characters of the Kantai Collection media mix, and in many more expressions of art and media, the diverse stories of gender fluidity have permeated Japanese culture for centuries.
In this volume of critical essays, scholars from around the world bring international perspectives on subjects ranging from 10th century poetry to 21st century photography. They examine various facets of Japanese culture, including prose, theater, music, cinema, anime, computer games, and contemporary drag performance. These essays explore the impact of flexible approaches to gender representation in the arts, highlighting the role that artists play in shaping attitudes towards gender in Japanese society.

Dean Conrad is a writer, producer and teacher who has taught film-, theater- and television-related subjects in schools, colleges and universities in the United Kingdom and the United States. He lives and works in England.
Sayuri Hirano is a Japanese Language teacher. Her experience includes teaching both English and Japanese at The University of Hull, Tokyo International University, and the Egypt-Japan University of Science and Technology in Alexandria. She lives in Japan.

Edited by Dean Conrad and Sayuri Hirano
Format: softcover (6 x 9)
Pages:
Bibliographic Info: ca. 45 photos, notes, bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2024
pISBN: 978-1-4766-9007-0
eISBN: 978-1-4766-5447-8
Imprint: McFarland