FAQ:
What is Takarazuka?
Takarazuka (宝塚市) is a city located in Hyogo prefecture, Japan. It is generally considered a suburb of Osaka and something of a tourist town due to it's hot springs, horse track, and the Takarazuka theater group.
In 1913, Ichizo Kobayashi, then president of a local rail company (currently known as Hankyu Railways), decided to create an all female theater group to lure tourists out to the Takarazuka station. They put on their first performance in 1914 and have performed continuously, with the exception of some interruptions in the mid-1940s due to the war.
The Takarazuka Revue has two permanent theaters, one located in Takarazuka (The Takarazuka Grand Theater) and one in Tokyo. The theater in Takarazuka also houses a smaller stage known as the Bow Hall. In addition to these three theaters, the Revue tours Japan multiple times a year and is also regularly hosted at the Umeda theater in Osaka.
The actresses are broken into five main troupes (Hanagumi (Flower troupe), Tsukigumi (Moon troupe), Yukigumi (Snow troupe), Hoshigumi (Star troupe), and Soragumi (Cosmos troupe)) and an additional "Senka" group who pushes in to shows being put on by other troupes. Actresses are assigned to one of the five troupes and perform with that group exclusively, though transfers can occur. Each troupe is led by a Top Otokoyaku (actress who specializes in male roles) and a Top Musumeyaku (actress who specializes in female roles). These two will play the main roles in all grand theater shows and some of the tours and smaller theater shows (though some of the younger actresses will perform in separate shows such as in the Bow Hall in which the main roles are played by non-top star actresses).
The Revue puts on a variety of shows ranging from traditional Japanese style shows (nihonmono) to popular Western musicals (Guys and Dolls, Elisabeth, Romeo and Juliet, West Side Story) to adaptions of live action TV shows (Aibou, White Shadows), movies (Oceans 11, Zorro, Gone With the Wind), or even manga or popular anime (Lupin III, Ginga Eien, Rose of Versailles). Most of their shows, however, are original creations written by Takarazuka staff.
In 1913, Ichizo Kobayashi, then president of a local rail company (currently known as Hankyu Railways), decided to create an all female theater group to lure tourists out to the Takarazuka station. They put on their first performance in 1914 and have performed continuously, with the exception of some interruptions in the mid-1940s due to the war.
The Takarazuka Revue has two permanent theaters, one located in Takarazuka (The Takarazuka Grand Theater) and one in Tokyo. The theater in Takarazuka also houses a smaller stage known as the Bow Hall. In addition to these three theaters, the Revue tours Japan multiple times a year and is also regularly hosted at the Umeda theater in Osaka.
The actresses are broken into five main troupes (Hanagumi (Flower troupe), Tsukigumi (Moon troupe), Yukigumi (Snow troupe), Hoshigumi (Star troupe), and Soragumi (Cosmos troupe)) and an additional "Senka" group who pushes in to shows being put on by other troupes. Actresses are assigned to one of the five troupes and perform with that group exclusively, though transfers can occur. Each troupe is led by a Top Otokoyaku (actress who specializes in male roles) and a Top Musumeyaku (actress who specializes in female roles). These two will play the main roles in all grand theater shows and some of the tours and smaller theater shows (though some of the younger actresses will perform in separate shows such as in the Bow Hall in which the main roles are played by non-top star actresses).
The Revue puts on a variety of shows ranging from traditional Japanese style shows (nihonmono) to popular Western musicals (Guys and Dolls, Elisabeth, Romeo and Juliet, West Side Story) to adaptions of live action TV shows (Aibou, White Shadows), movies (Oceans 11, Zorro, Gone With the Wind), or even manga or popular anime (Lupin III, Ginga Eien, Rose of Versailles). Most of their shows, however, are original creations written by Takarazuka staff.
Can I see a Takarazuka show while I'm in Japan?
Absolutely!
That said, tickets do tend to sell out pretty quickly (and if you're trying to get into a Bow Hall show or Dinner show . . . well . . . good luck). They can be purchased on the official Takarazuka site and picked up at the theaters. On the other hand, you may have to purchase tickets from a site such as Yahoo Auctions. I personally have purchased many tickets from Yahoo Auctions and have never gotten burned with fake tickets or someone taking my money and disappearing. That said, the Revue does appear to be trying to crack down on scalpers lately. However, I very much doubt they're going to deny you entrance or try to question you about purchasing a second hand ticket. Especially since some fan clubs sell tickets with the club leader's name printed on them. Personally, I wouldn't sweat it but it's up to you.
You can also try posting online to see if there are any foreign fans in fan clubs that can help you score a ticket to a show. You will need to pick up the ticket half an hour before the show starts and pay a little extra than the ticket costs as "thank you money". They will not ask you outright for this but you are expected to know that you should provide it. Usually I'd toss in an extra 500 or 1,000 yen on top of the cost of the ticket. Think of it as a tip for them doing all the hard work and getting the ticket for you.
Finally, if there is a show you really want to see at the Takarazuka or Tokyo grand theater but haven't been able to get tickets to, try tachimi. Early in the morning (around 6 am) the day of the show you want to see go line up in front of the box office (there will most likely already be people there so just find the line of folks bundled up in blankets or sitting on plastic chairs). Eventually the box office will open and begin selling same day tickets. First they'll sell extra S (close to middle), A-seki (middle and sides) and B-seki (back) tickets. When those are sold out they'll start selling standing room only tickets. This is a great way to get cheap tickets or snag a chance to see a sold out show. They will have a map of the theater seats at the box office with highlighted open seats so you don't need Japanese to do this, you just point at what you want.
Note: Bow Hall, Umeda, Dinner Shows, and National Tour shows do not have this same day option. You also cannot get shinjinkoen tickets this way anymore either. Getting shinjinkoen tickets now involves calling a phone number.
That said, tickets do tend to sell out pretty quickly (and if you're trying to get into a Bow Hall show or Dinner show . . . well . . . good luck). They can be purchased on the official Takarazuka site and picked up at the theaters. On the other hand, you may have to purchase tickets from a site such as Yahoo Auctions. I personally have purchased many tickets from Yahoo Auctions and have never gotten burned with fake tickets or someone taking my money and disappearing. That said, the Revue does appear to be trying to crack down on scalpers lately. However, I very much doubt they're going to deny you entrance or try to question you about purchasing a second hand ticket. Especially since some fan clubs sell tickets with the club leader's name printed on them. Personally, I wouldn't sweat it but it's up to you.
You can also try posting online to see if there are any foreign fans in fan clubs that can help you score a ticket to a show. You will need to pick up the ticket half an hour before the show starts and pay a little extra than the ticket costs as "thank you money". They will not ask you outright for this but you are expected to know that you should provide it. Usually I'd toss in an extra 500 or 1,000 yen on top of the cost of the ticket. Think of it as a tip for them doing all the hard work and getting the ticket for you.
Finally, if there is a show you really want to see at the Takarazuka or Tokyo grand theater but haven't been able to get tickets to, try tachimi. Early in the morning (around 6 am) the day of the show you want to see go line up in front of the box office (there will most likely already be people there so just find the line of folks bundled up in blankets or sitting on plastic chairs). Eventually the box office will open and begin selling same day tickets. First they'll sell extra S (close to middle), A-seki (middle and sides) and B-seki (back) tickets. When those are sold out they'll start selling standing room only tickets. This is a great way to get cheap tickets or snag a chance to see a sold out show. They will have a map of the theater seats at the box office with highlighted open seats so you don't need Japanese to do this, you just point at what you want.
Note: Bow Hall, Umeda, Dinner Shows, and National Tour shows do not have this same day option. You also cannot get shinjinkoen tickets this way anymore either. Getting shinjinkoen tickets now involves calling a phone number.
What's up with the fan clubs?
Takarazuka has one official fan club, Tomo no Kai. Anyone can join it for a fee and can order tickets through it as well as attend special showings.
On the other hand, almost all actresses have their own unofficial fan clubs. These clubs are run by fans or family members (daihyou) who get postcards (reijou) printed for each show for the actress to sign and mail as thank you cards for fans who write to her, organize the other fans into a club, schedule fan gatherings each morning and evening to see the actress as she enters and leaves the theater (iride), schedules tea parties (ochakai) and other gatherings, and generally tries to help the actress gain new fans and increase her popularity. These fan clubs are very important as the company watches to see how many fans show up for each actress during iride and uses this to judge interest and star viability for the actresses.
The clubs have strict rules for how fans are to behave in order to help keep the actress safe while interacting with them and also to help them maintain the strict behavior rules the company requires they follow. In addition, the unspoken rule is that a fan should only belong to one fan club at a time. Fan club hopping (ie leaving a fan club and joining another fan club while the first actress is still active within the Revue) is also generally frowned upon. There are also rules against posting scans or photos of the thank you post cards or other items you receive from the fan club.
Finally, fan club members are able to order show tickets through their fan club. While there is no guarantee one will get a ticket (especially for incredibly popular shows such as Elisabeth and Romeo and Juliette) it's usually a good way to score harder to get tickets. Fan clubs can be seen distributing these tickets to members half an hour before shows near the theater's entrance.
On the other hand, almost all actresses have their own unofficial fan clubs. These clubs are run by fans or family members (daihyou) who get postcards (reijou) printed for each show for the actress to sign and mail as thank you cards for fans who write to her, organize the other fans into a club, schedule fan gatherings each morning and evening to see the actress as she enters and leaves the theater (iride), schedules tea parties (ochakai) and other gatherings, and generally tries to help the actress gain new fans and increase her popularity. These fan clubs are very important as the company watches to see how many fans show up for each actress during iride and uses this to judge interest and star viability for the actresses.
The clubs have strict rules for how fans are to behave in order to help keep the actress safe while interacting with them and also to help them maintain the strict behavior rules the company requires they follow. In addition, the unspoken rule is that a fan should only belong to one fan club at a time. Fan club hopping (ie leaving a fan club and joining another fan club while the first actress is still active within the Revue) is also generally frowned upon. There are also rules against posting scans or photos of the thank you post cards or other items you receive from the fan club.
Finally, fan club members are able to order show tickets through their fan club. While there is no guarantee one will get a ticket (especially for incredibly popular shows such as Elisabeth and Romeo and Juliette) it's usually a good way to score harder to get tickets. Fan clubs can be seen distributing these tickets to members half an hour before shows near the theater's entrance.
The DVDs are too expensive. Where can I find Takarazuka shows for free? Also, where are the subtitles?
While the DVDs are expensive, they are approximately the cost of a single S-seki or SS-seki ticket and you get the added bonus of alternate angles and being impossibly close to the stage! If there's a show you want to see, please support the Revue and buy the DVD. DVDs can be purchased through Amazon or through the main Takarazuka site or QR using various shopping services. DO NOT BUY THE OVERPRICED NONSENSE ON EBAY.
In addition, you can ask other fans to share their shows with you. No one's going to mail you a copy of a DVD, mind you, but thanks to the wonder of the internet, some fans are willing to live stream the show so you can see if it's something you want to buy on your own. Takarazuka fans also often attend anime conventions and it's not unusual for there to be unofficial Takarazuka get togethers. Feel free to ask around online to see if there are fellow Zuka fans visiting your local convention and if they'd be willing to bring some shows for you to watch with them.
Takarazuka DVDs do not come with English subtitles. However there are groups on Tumblr that have been working to make some fansubs that link up to the DVD shows so go check them out!
In addition, you can ask other fans to share their shows with you. No one's going to mail you a copy of a DVD, mind you, but thanks to the wonder of the internet, some fans are willing to live stream the show so you can see if it's something you want to buy on your own. Takarazuka fans also often attend anime conventions and it's not unusual for there to be unofficial Takarazuka get togethers. Feel free to ask around online to see if there are fellow Zuka fans visiting your local convention and if they'd be willing to bring some shows for you to watch with them.
Takarazuka DVDs do not come with English subtitles. However there are groups on Tumblr that have been working to make some fansubs that link up to the DVD shows so go check them out!
Where does all the stuff on this site come from?
It comes from various places. Yahoo Auctions, estate sales, antique stores in Japan, etc. You can even find some older stuff at QR if you dig through some racks. While living in Japan I connected with a couple of antique stores who hit me up when someone drops off a box of their grandmother's old Zuka stuff. It's been a lot of fun collecting and organizing these finds over the years and I'm hopeful we still have many more years of Zuka collecting in us!
I have a few things you don't. Can I send you scans to post?
Yes, anyone is welcome to send me scans if they have some things I do not have. The scans don't need to be edited to a certain size as this system auto-sizes them.
If you would like me to post some of your stuff, please either send them to me at sumirecollection (at) gmail (dot) com or send me a link to your Google Drive where you have them stored (whichever you prefer). Also, please let me know what name or initials you'd like me to credit the scans to.
Please note that due to current copyright laws I can only post items that were printed prior to 1980 at this time. If you have 1980s things you'd like me to post later on in the future you can send them to me and I'll hold onto them until we're clear.
If you would like me to post some of your stuff, please either send them to me at sumirecollection (at) gmail (dot) com or send me a link to your Google Drive where you have them stored (whichever you prefer). Also, please let me know what name or initials you'd like me to credit the scans to.
Please note that due to current copyright laws I can only post items that were printed prior to 1980 at this time. If you have 1980s things you'd like me to post later on in the future you can send them to me and I'll hold onto them until we're clear.