Otome Amatsu

Otome Amatsu (9 October 1905 – 30 May 1980) (天津乙女 in Japanese, or あまつ おとめ in kana) was a Master of Japanese dance, TV and musical actress most widely recognized as Takarazuka Revue Leader of the Moon Troupe from 1928 to 1933.[1][2] She later served as a director of the Takarazuka Revue Company.[3][4] Her stage name was derived from a poem by Henjō in the Ogura Hyakunin Isshu.[1] She was also called "Treasure of Takarazuka".[3]

Life

Otome real name was Eiko Torii (鳥居 栄子 Torii Eiko).[1] Otome was born on October 9, 1905, in Tokyo.[1][4] Otome joined the Takarazuka Girls' Revue Company (current Takarazuka Revue Company) in response to student recruitment when the first performance in Tokyo was held (1918).[5] At that time, Otome became the first member (student) from Tokyo along with Otowako Hatsuse and Shizuko Hisakata.[5] Otome appeared in many dance works, including the opera "Parisette", "Boshibari" and "Yakkodojoji".[4] Otome also played the role of Ushiwakamaru in Kurama Tengu (1919), and she also played samurai role in Jorokumo (1924).[3] Since Otome was transferred to the head of the newly established dance department, she devoted herself to teaching the younger generation and nurtured many star members.[4] Otome was awarded the Medal with Purple Ribbon in 1958 in recognition of her devotion to Japanese dance for 40 years.[4] Otome was also awarded the Fourth Order of the Precious Crown in 1976.[3] On May 30, 1980, Otome died while still in the group.[1] After the death of Otome, she was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2014 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Takarazuka Revue.[6] Otome's younger sisters were Kayoko Kumono and Tsuruko Ikebe (池邊鶴子, new font: 池辺鶴子).[7]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e 天津乙女 kotobank. Retrieved 30 November 2022.
  2. ^ Kobayashi, Koichi (2014-04-01). 宝塚歌劇 100 Year History "Rainbow Bridge Across The Spreading" person 8pcs. p. 161. ASIN 4484146010. ISBN 978-4484146010
  3. ^ a b c d Kobayashi, Koichi (2014-04-01). 宝塚歌劇 100 Year History "Rainbow Bridge Across The Spreading" person 8pcs. p. 128. ASIN 4484146010. ISBN 978-4484146010
  4. ^ a b c d e 昭和舞台俳優史 The Mainichi Newspapers. 1978. p. 118
  5. ^ a b 編集・発行：市橋浩二 (1964-05-01). 宝塚歌劇五十年史. 宝塚歌劇団. p. 120. doi:10.11501/2504313.
  6. ^ 村上久美子 (2014-01-11). "宝塚が八千草薫ら殿堂100人を発表". Nikkan Sports. Retrieved 2022-06-25.
  7. ^ 企画・構成・執筆：橋本雅夫 著、編集統括：北川方英 編 (1994-09-09). 夢を描いて華やかに―宝塚歌劇80年史―. 宝塚歌劇団. p. 196. ISBN 4-924333-11-5.