Wright, Yuko E.
(2016)
THE ARTS OF THE GEISHA: UNRAVELING THE ARTISTIC TRADITIONS AND THE AESTHETICS OF IROKE THROUGH AN ANALYSIS OF THEIR MUSIC AND DANCE.
Doctoral Dissertation, University of Pittsburgh.
(Unpublished)
Abstract
This dissertation investigates the aesthetic concept of iroke (roughly, sexiness or eroticism, but literally, the love-sex atmosphere) through the performing arts practiced by geisha: kouta (small songs) and koutaburi (dance of small songs). Historically, the geisha—female performing artists—came into existence by separating the arts (gei) from sex (iro). However, since they closely worked within the vicinity of theatres and pleasure quarters, they have been misinterpreted as sex workers rather than accomplished multi-talented artists. By studying kouta and koutaburi under two former geisha, Kasuga Toyo Seiyoshi and Asaji Yoshie, I found that such misconceptions are deeply rooted in what geisha embody and express through their arts— iroke. Drawing on my own experiences of geisha arts and through detailed analyses, I illustrate the expressions of iroke in kouta and koutaburi performances and delineate the nature of iroke aesthetics. By mastering iroke and performing arts associated with iroke, the geisha were able to pioneer a new field of performing arts as preservers, teachers, and headmasters. Positioning geisha arts and aesthetics at the core, I explore the meaning and value of arts as well as geisha’s raison d’être in the modern Japan.
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Details
| Item Type: |
University of Pittsburgh ETD
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| Status: |
Unpublished |
| Creators/Authors: |
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| ETD Committee: |
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| Date: |
15 June 2016 |
| Date Type: |
Publication |
| Defense Date: |
23 November 2015 |
| Approval Date: |
15 June 2016 |
| Submission Date: |
15 April 2016 |
| Access Restriction: |
3 year -- Restrict access to University of Pittsburgh for a period of 3 years. |
| Number of Pages: |
319 |
| Institution: |
University of Pittsburgh |
| Schools and Programs: |
Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences > Music |
| Degree: |
PhD - Doctor of Philosophy |
| Thesis Type: |
Doctoral Dissertation |
| Refereed: |
Yes |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: |
geisha, japan, iroke, kouta, koutaburi, shamisen |
| Date Deposited: |
15 Jun 2016 22:42 |
| Last Modified: |
15 Jun 2019 05:15 |
| URI: |
http://d-scholarship.pitt.edu/id/eprint/27723 |
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