A prominent aspect of traditional Japanese dance is that it contains parts or dances that are called “male” or “female” that can be danced by dancers of either sex. This study analyses the parts...Show moreA prominent aspect of traditional Japanese dance is that it contains parts or dances that are called “male” or “female” that can be danced by dancers of either sex. This study analyses the parts called “male” or otoko-furi and “female” or onna-furi within yosakoi dance, a modern style of Japanese folkdance through movement analysis and questionnaires. The research question is as following: What are the features of otoko-furi and onna-furi within yosakoi dance, and do these parts resist or affirm gender stereotypes? It becomes clear that it is hard to define otoko-furi and onna-furi, even though the parts contain contrasting movements. Furthermore, contrary to traditional dance the gender of the body of the dancer matters for the execution of the part. This forces dancers to conform their dancing part to the sex of their body, and affirm gender stereotypes rather then resisting them.Show less
