Research: The Emergence of Women's Playwriting in Kabuki: Contributions and Transformations Within and Beyond the Theatre
Ludovica Marincioni, Curriculum East Asia, XXXVIII cycle
RESEARCH PROJECT'S ABSTRACT:
For several centuries, theatre in Japan has been a prerogative of male authors and performers. However, in the late Meiji period, at the beginning of the twentieth century, thanks to the activity and success of two female artists named Hasegawa Shigure (1879–1941) and Okada Yachiyo (1883–1962), drama written by women was finally recognized and numerous female authors achieved the space and means to gain full access to the Japanese theatrical world. At the beginning of their activity, Japanese dramatic art was going through a profound transformation; especially kabuki, the traditional theatrical style born around the end of the 16th century, was changing. Kabuki represented the starting point for many female authors who made their debut in the following years.
Despite the acknowledged importance of these figures, scholarship still lacks a comprehensive framework that accounts for their role in the history of Japanese theatre. The aim of this study is to provide a detailed assessment of their contribution and their influence on narrative strategies and representational techniques, with particular attention to the elements that distinguish their work from established tradition. A further objective is to trace the legacy of the earliest women playwrights in the later development of Japanese dramatic arts.
The methodology adopted moves beyond the chronological and cultural approach and centres instead on the causes and social implications of their work. Through a close reading of selected texts, it examines content related aspects and, whenever possible, their potential impact on performance.
11/2022 - Today: PhD candidate in Civilizations of Asia and Africa, Italian Institute of Oriental Studies (ISO), Sapienza University of Rome (Italy).
Research project's title: The Emergence of Women's Playwriting in Kabuki: Contributions and Transformations Within and Beyond the Theatre.
Supervisor: Professor Matilde Mastrangelo, Sapienza University of Rome
2019 - 2022: Master’s Degree in Oriental Languages and Civilizations, Italian Institute of Oriental Studies (ISO), Sapienza University of Rome (Italy).
Dissertation: Expressing modernity through kabuki: Sakura fubuki by Hasegawa Shigure.
2014 - 2017: Bachelor’s Degree in Oriental Languages and Civilizations, Italian Institute of Oriental Studies (ISO), Sapienza University of Rome (Italy).
Dissertation: The Greece of Mishima Yukio and Murakami Haruki: myths of the West and literary icons of Japan.