Exploring Self through Female-Female Bond—Himuro Saeko and Her Early Stories

Abstract

This paper explores the theme of self-identity formation through female-female bonds in Japanese shōjo fiction, with a particular focus on the works of Himuro Saeko from the late 1970s to the early 1980s. Rather than providing a comprehensive history of the genre, this study analyzes how Himuro, building upon the tradition of prewar female-female bond fiction, reexamines and explores teenage girls’ reflections on and pursuit of self-actualization within the context of everyday school life. Through close readings of key texts, including “Goodbye, My Harlequin” and The White Paper of Clara, the paper examines how Himuro constructs an alternative narrative that resists patriarchal norms and mainstream romantic scripts. Drawing on historical context, feminist criticism, and narrative theory, this research argues that Himuro’s contribution to the new wave of shōjo fiction lies in her revival and transformation of the female-female bond tradition to inspire self-realization and personal growth in a brand-new era.