Boundaries of Femininity:
Crossdressed Women in modern Japanese visual culture
Hannah Nanette Karkari
Master’s Capstone Project submitted to the Faculty of the College of Arts and Sciences of American University in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Masters of Arts in Art History. 2023, American University, Washington DC.
Chair: Ying-chen Peng
Reader: Andrew Wasserman
I would first like to thank my advisor, Dr. Ying-chen Peng, who patiently guided me through the thesis process and provided helpful critique, advice, and encouragement. She stuck with me through my most difficult weeks and has genuinely made me a better, more productive scholar. I also want to thank my second reader, Dr. Andrew Wasserman, for all his feedback on this project. He pushed me to consider new avenues and how best to structure and approach the issues present in this capstone. Also, a big thank you goes to Dr. Joanne Allen and my classmates in my thesis and research seminars. The collaborative atmosphere Dr. Allen cultivated allowed me to explore new ideas and get feedback from my peers, so I am endlessly grateful.
A thank you is also in order for all the professors I have worked with and the classes I took with them. My time at American University has not only allowed me to produce this capstone but also gave me the opportunity to expand my knowledge of art. Along with my professors and peers, I want to thank my coworkers at both the American University Archives and Special collections and in Engagement and Visitor Experience at the National Museum of Asian Art. They provided me with endless support and energy as I balanced work and school.
Finally, I want to thank my family and friends, who were always there to lend an ear or be a shoulder to cry on. I would not have been able to get through with out their love and support. Thank you!
Hannah Karkari, “Boundaries of Femininity: Crossdressed Women in Modern Japanese Visual Culture,” Master’s Capstone Project, American University, 2023.
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