A symposium exploring the pop heroines and female icons of Japan will take place from 1 to 4:30 p.m. May 4 in 331 social Sciences & Business Building at UMSL.
Since her introduction to Japanese consumers nearly 40 years ago, Hello Kitty has exploded into a global pop culture phenomenon. Her cute cartoon cat face is adored by throngs of teens and adults.
A symposium at the University of Missouri–St. Louis will explore the pop heroines and female icons of Japan. The event will take place from 1 to 4:30 p.m. May 4 in 331 Social Sciences & Business Building at UMSL.
The symposium will explore the following questions:
- What historical and cultural contexts contributed to the creation of the female icon in Japan, thrusting her into the spotlight?
- How is she commoditized and objectified?
- How do popular heroines from cultural history and fantasy serve to promote consumption, nationalism or identity construction?
Offering their perspective on notable Japanese female figures will be nationally prominent scholars of Japan, including Laura Miller, the Eiichi Shibusawa-Seigo Arai Professor of Japanese Studies at UMSL.
The symposium is free and open to the public, and sponsored by the Ei’ichi Shibusawa-Seigo Arai Professorship in Japanese Studies at UMSL, International Studies and Programs at UMSL and the Gender Studies Program at UMSL.
