Leiden University Student Repository

Xu, Yifan (2025)

Floral Semiotics and Gender Ambiguity: Exploring Power Dynamics in Ryoko Yamagishi’s Hi Izuru Tokoro no Tenshi

Master thesis | Asian Studies (60 EC) (MA)

This thesis examines the significance of floral semiotics in Hi Izuru Tokoro no Tenshi by Ryoko Yamagishi, focusing on how flowers symbolize gender fluidity and political power. Through semiotic analysis, the study explores how flowers, often associated with femininity, transcend these boundaries to represent Prince Umayado's challenge to patriarchal structures. As an androgynous figure, Prince Umayado uses floral imagery not just to question gender roles but also to navigate and subvert the power dynamics within the royal court. These symbols can thus be used to subvert gender dualism and situate the character in a heroic narrative of metamorphosis. This study analyzes the cultural meanings of floral symbols and their roles in the manga by drawing on Peirce’s semiotics, Judith Butler’s theory of gender performance, and Foucault’s concept of power and discourse. It is shown that they are not simply empty decorations as they play an essential part in the creation and subversion of...Show moreThis thesis examines the significance of floral semiotics in Hi Izuru Tokoro no Tenshi by Ryoko Yamagishi, focusing on how flowers symbolize gender fluidity and political power. Through semiotic analysis, the study explores how flowers, often associated with femininity, transcend these boundaries to represent Prince Umayado's challenge to patriarchal structures. As an androgynous figure, Prince Umayado uses floral imagery not just to question gender roles but also to navigate and subvert the power dynamics within the royal court. These symbols can thus be used to subvert gender dualism and situate the character in a heroic narrative of metamorphosis. This study analyzes the cultural meanings of floral symbols and their roles in the manga by drawing on Peirce’s semiotics, Judith Butler’s theory of gender performance, and Foucault’s concept of power and discourse. It is shown that they are not simply empty decorations as they play an essential part in the creation and subversion of gender relations. Thus, floral patterns have served to undermine the conventional male dominance and question the construction of a masculinity/femininity hybrid by depicting masculinity as different from hegemonic masculinity. This study adds to the existing body of knowledge by extending awareness of semiotics in the context of flowers, specifically in Shōjo manga, which entails and even subverts gender binaries.It demonstrates how floral imagery in Hi Izuru Tokoro no Tenshi challenges and redefines gender roles through new perspectives on gender, power, and visual symbolism. This work adds to existing studies because it allows scholars to discuss the diverse interpretations of floral imagery from different cultures and their influence on gender portrayal in visual storytelling.Show less

Floral Semiotics, Gender Fluidity, Power Dynamics, Shōjo Manga, Gender Performativity

Author

Xu, Yifan

Faculty

Faculty of Humanities

Specialisation

East Asian Studies

Supervisors

Aya Ezawa

ECTS Credits

15

Language

en