What is a drag king?
Ever since Ru Paul brought drag to mainstream television in 2009, everyone knows what a drag queen is. The gender-flipping reality TV show has hooked audiences with its unique combination of real drama, sassiness, and a peek behind the door of drag culture that makes it irresistible watercooler discussion material.
But while everyone discusses the queens, what about the kings? Japan Gay Guide takes a dive into the world of drag kings to find out about this lesser known form of drag.
What is the difference between drag king and drag queen?
On the face of it, a drag queen is usually an AMAB performer (assigned male at birth) whose performance revolves around playing with feminine identity. By contrast, the majority of drag kings are AFAB (assigned female at birth) performers who play with masculine identity.
However, it’s important to remember that different performers have different ideas – founding member of Kings of Tokyo Mx Terious says that for them, “it’s not just presenting as femme or masc, but in questioning the set of expectations of gender… drag kings are reacting to what we might call these days ‘toxic masculinity’.”
As to how they play with identity, there are no limits. London-based actor and drag king Sigi Moonlight describes how shows might involve playing with gender in a way that might “politicize it, vulgarize it, make it a farce, make it silly – whether it’s clowning, striptease, dancing, or singing.”
The lack of hard and fast rules contributes to drag’s broad appeal, and different kings might have very different styles and approaches. While kings are more likely to bind their chest to obscure breasts, there is no guarantee. It’s all about playing with masculine energy and gender expectations.
So you never know what you’re in for when you attend a drag king performance!
What assumptions might you make about drag kings?
First-time visitors to a drag king event might be surprised to learn that it’s not about taking the make-up off and taking the hair extensions out. Drag aficionado and enthusiast Taylor Wanstall says that performances tend to focus on gender performativity – make-up is often used to contour faces into a more masculine shape, while burnt cork has historically been used to create convincing beards or stubble.
Likewise, audiences expecting performances to be more toned down and subtle should be surprised – drag kings can be every bit as extravagant and out there as their femme-presenting counterparts. The array of performative devices used to create spectacle with masculine energy is both impressive and absorbing.
Why are drag kings less well-known than drag queens?
Drag king performances are not without their challenges. Tokyo-based king Erik Shawn points out that there is a “lot more visibility for queens compared to kings in Japan. It seems to be about a decade behind the west on king events and inclusion”.
Drag aficionado and enthusiast Taylor Wanstall points out the sellability of a female-presenting body. “Everyone’s heard of drag queens, but if you say to someone “drag king”, they might not have heard of that concept before”, he says.
And while Taylor recognizes the role Ru Paul has had in catapulting drag culture to stardom, he is quick to emphasize that it usually represents only one facet of a very multidimensional artform. Mx Terious agrees – “drag kings might not be as well-known as drag queens, but we’re still a vital part of LGBTQIA+ culture and history”.
Famous drag kings
Adam All
UK-based drag king and pioneer for the modern UK drag scene.
Winner of the Best Drag King award at the QX Awards.
Landon Cider
American actor, drag king, and host who embraces a punk/alternative aesthetic in most performances.
Featured on HBO reality show We’re Here.
Derek Toro
Tokyo’s premiere drag king, credited with improving drag king visibility and raising the bar where performances are concerned in the Japanese capital.
Featured in a lipsync battle on Jiro Jiro Ariyoshi as broadcast by TBS in June 2024.
Hugo Grrrl
Drag king, comedian, and cabaret producer.
Best known for winning the inaugural season of House of Drag in New Zealand, as produced by Warner Bros. International.
Jarvis Hammer
Featured by Pride Magazine in their article 20 Drag Kinds You Should Definitely Know
One of the 11 contestants to appear on the fifth season of The Boulet Brothers’ Dragula in 2023.
Can a male be a drag king?
Absolutely! Drag king society is overwhelmingly welcome to performers of all genders, regardless of how they identify or the sex they were born as. Kings of Tokyo and other drag events frequently welcome what might be referred to as ‘bio kings’. Kings might identify anywhere on the LGBTQIA+ spectrum, including as male, female, non-binary, or anything else.
Budding performers are advised to speak to the organizer of the event (sometimes called a drag father or, in the case of drag queens, a drag mother) for inquiries as to whether they can perform. Drag fathers/mothers are often open to mentoring new performers, giving them advice about makeup and presentation, which can lead to improvement in performance and a strong sense of family community.
Expected etiquette in drag king performances
Etiquette at drag king performances doesn’t differ hugely from drag queen performances. It’s considered polite to tip at least one or two of the kings. Different events may have different systems in place – you might be asked to exchange your cash at the door for pretend paper money for ease of tipping, with the proceeds divided up later among the performers.
In addition, shows usually place a strong emphasis on consent – it might be ok to touch a performer provided you ask them first. Also, be sensitive in your questions – drag king performer Mx Terious recalls “bruises from where ladies and dudes alike have grabbed me to ask, ‘So like, what are you really?’ Drag performers are not there to be your chosen fetish.”
Adhere to the rules of the venue – many drag shows work hard to build up a relationship with their chosen venue, which could be discontinued at any time if audience members frequently violate the rules.
Drag kings in Japan: Where to watch them?
While drag queen performances are easy to find in Japan’s sprawling major cities, events dedicated solely to drag kings are much more rare. However, most drag event organizers are keen to keep their events varied and exciting, which means even performances that mostly focus on drag queens will often have a drag king or two in the line-up as well.
Japan’s only regular drag show that focuses solely on drag king performances.
Performances take place at Shinjuku Gyoen-Rosso.
Check Kings of Kanto’s Facebook page for more details on when events may be held.
Haus Von Schwartz serves up drag with a focus on gothic and decayed glamor with line-ups that regularly include both drag kings and queens.
Regular venues are in Kinshicho and Shinkuku’s Kabukicho district – check their Instagram and Facebook for details of upcoming events.
Japan’s premier international drag show flies in competitors from Ru Paul’s Drag Race on a bi-annual basis and features a host of local drag queens and kings.
2024’s event toured both Tokyo and Osaka – check the details on their website for their next event.
Famed for placing an emphasis on community and a place any performer can find their platform, the Tokyo Closet Ball runs yearly events for queens, kings, and performers of gender-subversive material.
Billed as Kansai’s friendliest international drag show, Haus of Kinki holds regular events that may include drag kings.
Performances take place at the Sound Garden in Osaka – check their website for more details.
Conclusion
Consider yourself suitably educated enough to go and see a drag king show! Book tickets with any of the events listed above and prepare to have a fantastic time! Remember to respect the performers, and above all, sit back and enjoy yourself as you dive into the world of subversive gender performance.
