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A Cultural Treasure

The kanji specifically means “treasure” when its on-yomi, HŌ, is used. The character takes on the broader meanings of “treasure,” “precious thing,” “riches,” “wealth,” or “money” when its kun-yomi, takara, is used.

You may have heard of Tokyo’s Takarazuka Revue, a popular type of Japanese theater in which all-female performers play both the male and female roles in musicals and revues. The full name is Takarazuka Kagekidan, which is written this way: 宝塚歌劇団. Here’s the breakdown:

 Takara         treasure
  zuka            mound
歌劇  Kageki     opera

              song
               drama

 -dan               troupe

Hey, look at that! Opera = song + drama! Very cool!

In 1914, the group formed in Takarazuka, a city in Hyōgo Prefecture on Honshū.

Pop Quiz: The kanji for “Takarazuka” contains . The kanji for another place name contains . (Hint: It’s the name of a prefecture on Honshū.) Which prefecture is it?

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