This lengthy special feature on Star Feathers and what they mean to the performers was published in the April 2022 issue of Kageki.
The Charm of Takarazuka – Star Feathers
The gorgeous stage of Takarazuka becomes even more stunning when the stars appear wearing Star Feathers at the end of the performance. This month, we’ve surveyed the Top Combi of each troupe for memories and anecdotes they have around Star Feathers.
Flower Troupe
Yuzuka Rei
1 – How it felt to wear Star Feathers for the first time.
I’d always felt the prior Top Stars looked so amazing wearing the Star Feathers, but when I was first faced with my own set I was really nervous. During the fitting I was stressing out internally: “Is it really this heavy?” “I feel like my spinal cord’s being squashed.” “Wait, can I actually get down the stairs like this? Eep…”
2 – Memories and anecdotes surrounding Star Feathers.
The weight varies a bit depending on the design of the costume and feathers, but the costume department staff fit it to my own bodyline so skillfully that it feels as light as if it’s growing out of my naturally. I can’t express my gratitude enough for the professional arts of the staff.
3 – ‘If you had to wear Star Feathers tomorrow…’ what advice would you give the readers?
It’s important that it be made to fit your body as much as possible during the fitting time, so rely on the staff to help you as you find the best possible balance. Also, when you’re wearing them, you are going to be far wider than you imagine, so be especially careful when doing to and from the stage.
Finally, a message for the Star Feathers themselves!
I always feel the weight of tradition and the thoughts soaked into the feathers from you. I’ll keep doing my best to be a Takarasienne you can be happy with.
Hoshikaze Madoka
Memories and anecdotes surrounding Star Feathers.
Ever since I was just a fan, I’ve always adored the parade scenes! They had such a dreamlike atmosphere and made me wish the show didn’t have to end.
When I first went to see Takarazuka in the Grand Theatre, I had heard this dream-like rumour that you could take photos in front of feathers just like the ones the stars were wearing, and even now I can remember vividly blushing my way through having my photo taken in the Takarazuka Hall of Fame!
I want to work hard to keep that first delight in my heart and convey my gratitude from the stage.
Moon Troupe
Tsukishiro Kanato
1 – How it felt to wear Star Feathers for the first time.
I felt the huge weight (of everyone’s feelings as well as the feathers themselves) so intensely, and it made me respect every single Top Star of the past.
2 – Memories and anecdotes surrounding Star Feathers.
The first time I went through a whole play and revue and made my bow at the end with the Star Feathers on I was scared I wouldn’t be able to get up again 😅
3 – ‘If you had to wear Star Feathers tomorrow…’ what advice would you give the readers?
Once you put everything on, you won’t be able to see the feathers and costume made with such care, so I recommend taking it in down to the tiniest details before you put it on.
Finally, a message for the Star Feathers themselves!
I’m always doing my best to become a person worthy of you!
Umino Mitsuki
Memories and anecdotes surrounding Star Feathers.
Something that really stands out to me are the Star Feathers worn by Ryuu (Masaki), Asumi (Rio, and Manaki (Reika), from the Moon Troupe production of Romeo et Juliette.
I remember they were a white base and respectively they had gold, blue, and red peacock feathers, making them so gorgeous!
It was my first performance since I was assigned to Moon Troupe, so it was my first time seeing the Star Feathers up so close, and I was so struck by how big and beautiful they were!
Snow Troupe
Ayakaze Sakina
1 – How it felt to wear Star Feathers for the first time.
Simply ‘Wow, this is heavy…’ I was just feeling how this was the real weight of the Star Feathers. And at the same time I had a lot of respect well up in me for everyone who had ever worn these feathers before me.
2 – Memories and anecdotes surrounding Star Feathers.
Of course I was moved when I got to wear them for myself, but I’ll never forget the moment when Nozomi (Fuuto) wore Star Feathers for her debut as Top Star and I was there to welcome her. I was so full of joy and emotion that I started crying.
3 – ‘If you had to wear Star Feathers tomorrow…’ what advice would you give the readers?
Just go into it telling yourself “I’m going to wear the heck out of these feathers!!” and do mental rehearsal of wearing them and I’m sure you’ll be perfect!!
Finally, a message for the Star Feathers themselves!
Thank you always for all the dreams and emotions.
Asazuki Kiwa
Memories and anecdotes surrounding Star Feathers.
I’ll never forget how emotional I was when I went to see Takarazuka for the first time and saw the Top Star come down the stairs wearing Star Feathers for the parade.
In my debut production we were placed on the stairs, and when we welcomed Kiriya Hiromu wearing her Star Feathers, I was bursting with happiness at being able to be on the same stage with her! That’s never changed, and I always feel the same happiness when I welcome the Top Star during the parade.
Star Troupe
Rei Makoto
1 – How it felt to wear Star Feathers for the first time.
When I first wore them in the costume fitting for my debut performance, they were so heavy that I felt like I was about to fall over backwards. It was all I could do to stand, and I remember the chill down my spine when I thought ‘And I go down the Grand Stairs in this?’
2 – Memories and anecdotes surrounding Star Feathers.
This is in the present continuous tense, but every time I’m working with the costume staffer who works on the feathers and talking with them about how I can stand with the best balance wearing feathers, or keep the left-right symmetry, or how I can handle the wind resistance when I’m walking, I’m reminded that this is something I can only do because of the position I’m in.
3 – ‘If you had to wear Star Feathers tomorrow…’ what advice would you give the readers?
Just keep your center of gravity forward!! And try to prepare yourself (laughs).
Also, please enjoy yourself and stand confidently.
Finally, a message for the Star Feathers themselves!
That impact from waiting 3 hours to see them at the very very end!!!
It’s thanks to you that I’m able to be here as Top Star.
Maisora Hitomi
Memories and anecdotes surrounding Star Feathers.
I was first able to see the Top Star’s big feathers up close when I was in the parade for my debut show, and I was bowled over by their size and impact. I was so excited to welcome [the Top Star] every day that I felt like I might mess up the choreography. Even though the feathers are full of an inestimable weight, the Top Stars always sparkle so much as they wear them in the parade, and even now when I welcome her it makes my heart full of happiness.
Cosmos Troupe
Makaze Suzuho
1 – How it felt to wear Star Feathers for the first time.
The first time I put them on in the costume fitting, they were incredibly heavy, so many times heavier than I’d imagined. After so many others had worn Star Feathers in the past, now I was wearing Star Feathers of my own: my chest was full of a surge of joy, surprise, and indescribable emotion.
2 – Memories and anecdotes surrounding Star Feathers.
Onstage, I like looking at the Top Star’s Star Feathers from a back three-quarter angle or a rear profile angle. They’re so stunning. And I want the audience to have just as much fun looking at them from different angles as I did, I’m experimenting with different ways of controlling and tolting the feathers. Even though it might not change much, I like doing it (laughs).
3 – ‘If you had to wear Star Feathers tomorrow…’ what advice would you give the readers?
Bowing too deeply is a no-no! If you go too far the weight of the feathers will make you fall over forward so please be careful.
Finally, a message for the Star Feathers themselves!
Camarada! My comrade!
Jun Hana
Memories and anecdotes surrounding Star Feathers.
I’ll never forget seeing Yurika (Makaze) singing on the Grand Stairs in her Star Feathers on the first day of Sherlock Holmes and Delicieux!. I think seeing Yurika like that, descending the stairs as if the Star Feathers were really a part of her, is something neither the audience or anyone in Cosmos Troupe is going to forget.