Born: 1905
Biography:
Utako Hanazono, born in January 1905, was a notable figure in Japanese culture, working as a writer, modern dancer, geisha, and a Japanese traditional dance master. She was also known by the name Tamae Hanazono later in her career. Hanazono received her education at the Tokyo Women’s Pharmaceutical School, which was a predecessor to Meiji Pharmaceutical University. Initially, she started working as a clerk at a pharmaceutical company, but her life took a different turn when she joined a leftist theater led by Shunkichi Kurose, her future husband.
Under the name Nao Kurose, Hanazono became a prominent modern dancer in the theater troupe. She later joined a burlesque studio in Asakusa, further showcasing her talents and artistic expression. Hanazono’s journey into the world of geisha began in Shinbashi, where she started as a geisha and quickly gained popularity as a modern geisha with a background in modern dance.
Hanazono faced numerous challenges and hardships during her career. In the 1920s and 1930s, she publicly criticized the Japanese government for imposing restrictions on geisha, preventing them from pursuing other professions to earn a living. In her book Geigits, she drew attention to the fact that many geisha had no choice but to engage in sex work due to these limitations. Hanazono’s outspokenness on this matter led to friction with leading women’s rights activists Fukuda Hideko and Wakamatsu Shizuko.
Furthermore, Hanazono challenged the social discrimination faced by geisha due to ancient social traditions and customs that they were still required to adhere to. This included the practice of indentured servitude, which forced geisha into debt contracts as part of their obligations. Hanazono fought against these practices to advocate for better rights and conditions for geisha.
Hanazono was also a passionate book collector, particularly focusing on works related to geigi, and she was an active member of the Meiji Culture Study Group. She greatly admired and exchanged views with influential figures like Sakuzo Yoshino and Shozo Saito, both renowned bibliophiles.
In 1941, Hanazono remarried Iruru Hirai, also known as Iruru Masaoka, a researcher specializing in traditional Japanese entertainment such as rakugo and yose Japanese vaudeville. In her later years, she founded her own school of traditional Japanese dance called Hanazono, becoming the first Iemoto, or head master, and adopting the name Tamae Hanazono.
Throughout her life, Hanazono wrote extensively on women’s rights, criticizing Japan’s patriarchal society. She also dedicated herself to the study of modern dance, further enriching her artistic pursuits and leaving a lasting impact on Japanese culture.