Fat Phobia in Matsuura Rieko's "Himantai kyōfushō"

ABSTRACT:This essay examines discursive representations of the fat female body in Matsuura Rieko's short story "Himantai kyōfushō" or "Fat Phobia." Following an interdisciplinary consideration of fatness based in gender theory, this essay contextualizes Matsuura's story in a cross-cultural discussion of gender and body size in Japan and the West. One goal of the essay is to add dimension to scholarly interest in gender, the body, and body discrimination by elucidating the ways in which Matsuura's text reproduces prejudicial stereotypes about women of size. The essay ultimately argues that "Himantai kyōfushō," published in 1980, anticipates, and attempts to combat, the contemporary stigmatization of the fat female body in Japan. Because the thin protagonist must overcome her own prejudices regarding fat women, the text provides a timely reminder of the importance of acceptance. At the same time, it underscores the necessity of allies to advocate on behalf of marginalized and discriminated identities.