Avenging the Entertainer and the Comfort Woman: Japanese Theatrical Forms in Anton Juan, Jr.’s Tuko! Tuko!

• Main Author: Maramara, Melissa V
• Format: text
• Published: Archīum Ateneo 2020
• Subjects: Anton Juan; Comfort Women Philippines; Japayuki; Appropriation; Japanese Theater; Butoh; Bunraku; Kabuki; Fine Arts
• Online Access: https://archium.ateneo.edu/fine-arts-faculty-pubs/19; https://www.asj.upd.edu.ph/mediabox/archive/ASJ_56_1_2020/Avenging_Entertainer_Comfort_Woman_Japanese_Theatrical_Forms_Tuko_Tuko_Maramara1.pdf
• Institution: Ateneo De Manila University

Tuko! Tuko!; a play by Dr. Anton Juan Jr. confronts the abuse of Filipina comfort women during World War II and the exploitation of post-war Filipina entertainers; both in the hands of the Japanese. In contrast to media representations that play up these women as victims; Tuko! Tuko! offers a more nuanced portrayal; and restores their agency. More importantly; it appropriates the Japanese theatrical forms of buto; bunraku; and kabuki to confront this historical trauma and claim redressive action. The article ends with several recommendations on how Philippine-Japan relations can move forward.