#skdrevue

[asakusasisters]

Gorgeous Kawaji Ryuko

Kawaji Ryuko — otokoyaku star (male impersonator) from all-female theatre SKD (Shochiku Kagekidan), 40s-50s.

No way, she was an extraordinary woman. 

[asakusasisters]

Orie Tsusaka: A Legendary Otokoyaku of SKD

Orie Tsusaka was one of the most celebrated male impersonators (otokoyaku) in the history of the all-female theater Shochiku Kagekidan (SKD).

In the 1930s, she became a star of the theater, renowned for her powerful performances. Her fame rivaled that of otokoyaku legend Mizunoe Takiko, solidifying her place as one of the greats in Japanese theater history.

[asakusasisters]

Male Impersonators from SKD, 1930s

A vintage photo from the 1930s showing otokoyaku (women playing male roles) from the all-female theatre Shochiku Kagekidan (SKD).

From left to right: Kawaji Ryuko, Minami Satoe, and an unidentified actress. Young and stylish, they were among the performers who helped shape the early image of SKD's unique stage presence.

[asakusasisters]

Elegant Orie Tsusaka (オリエ津阪)

Male impersonator (otokoyaku) from the all-female theatre Shochiku Kagekidan （松竹歌劇団), 1930s. 

[asakusasisters]

Colden combi: Kawaji Ryuko and Ozuki Saeko. 

Otokoyaku actresses from SKD Revue (Shochiku Kagekidan), 1950, Tokyo.

[asakusasisters]

【 Actresses from all-female theatre SKD Revue Ozuki Saeko and Akebono Yuri, about 1940, Tokyo, Japan】 Ozuki Saeko ( 小月冴子) and Akebono Yuri ( 曙ゆり) were famous male impersonators in SKD Revue (松竹歌劇団) between 1930-1950. 

[asakusasisters]

On this photo 4 musumeyaku and 5 otokoyaku. And what do you see? =)