Abstract
Modern Japanese theatre started after the Meiji Restoration (1868), under the overall tendency of westernization in every field of Japanese culture. However, the modernizing of theatre was not a straight, but rather a zigzag, course. The present paper examines the significance of activities of relevant figures at the early stage of theatre modernization in Japan. They are Yoda Gakkai, Fukuchi Ochi, and Hanabusa Ryugai. Their activities have not been properly investigated or appreciated in the history of modern theatre. Certainly, they would not be called creators of modern drama—or shingeki—but they undoubtedly contributed something for the next generation to establish it. By examining their activities, one will come to realize how difficult and complex it was to create modern theatre in Japan, which had a long dramatic tradition of its own.
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Notes
- 1.
Kaneko Kazuo, Kindai nihon bijutu-kyoiku no kenkyu—Meiji, Taisho-jidai [A study of art education in modern Japan: the Meiji and Taisho eras], Tokyo, 1999, p. 47–48.
- 2.
Ibid, p. 300.
- 3.
Ozasa Yoshio, “Kindai kabuki no <seiyo> juyo” [Reception of “The Occident” in modern kabuki], from Preprints: The 20th International Symposium on the Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Property, Tokyo, Nov.12–14, 1996, p. 104.
- 4.
Kamiyama Akira, “Katsureki no ryobun”[Territory of katsureki] Kindai-engeki no raireki [Sources of the modern theatre ], Tokyo: Shinwa-sha, 2006, p. 65.
- 5.
See Watanabe Tamotsu, Mokuami no Meiji Ishin [Mokuami’s Meiji Restoration], Tokyo: Shincho-sha, 1997.
- 6.
Meiji kindaigeki-shu [Modern plays in the Meiji era], Vol. 86 of Meiji bungaku- zenshu [Collected literature of the Meiji era], Chikuma shobo, 1969.
- 7.
“Tokutomi Soho talks”, Waseda Bungaku[Waseda Literature], 1906, No. 2, p. 61.
- 8.
Quoted in Otawara Arifumi, Judai senkakukisha den [Ten frontrunners of journalists] Osaka-Mainichi & Tokyo Daily, 1926.
- 9.
Takao Tsuchiya, “The Economic Theory of Fukuchi Ochi , a Leading Spirit in the Cultural Field of the Opening Country”, The Opening Japan Centenary Essays on Cultural History in the Meiji Era, ed. Association of Opening Japan Centenary, Tokyo: Kangen-sha, 1952, pp. 764–5.
- 10.
Tsubouchi Shoyo , “Kaioku-mandan [Trivial memoirs] No. 2”, Waseda Bungaku [Waseda Literature], Nov. 1925.
- 11.
Toita Yasuji, “Introduction”, Kabuki meisakushu [Best kabuki plays], Vol. 13, Tokyo: Sogen-sha, 1957, p. 273.
- 12.
Ozasa Yoshio, Nihon gendai engekishi [The history of modern Japanese theatre], Vol. I, Tokyo: Hakusuisha, 1985, pp. 479ff.
- 13.
Fujiki Hiroyuki,“Hanabusa Ryugai to Yoshiki-Engeki [Hanabusa Ryugai and Western-style theatre]”, Journal, Kyoritsu Women’s College, Faculty of Letters, Vol. 19, 1972.
- 14.
Hanabusa Ryugai, “Shiritsu gekijo wo kensetsu seyo! [Establish municipal theatres!]”, Yomiuri shinbun, November 29, 1903.
- 15.
Takayasu Gekko, trans, Ibsensaku Shakaigeki[Ibsen’s social dramas], Tokyo: Tokyo Senmon-Gakko, 1901.
- 16.
Fujiki, op.cit. pp. 104~5.
References
Fujiki Hiroyuki. 1972. Hanabusa Ryugai to Yoshiki-Engeki [Hanabusa Ryugai and Western-Style Theatre]. Journal, Kyoritsu Women’s College, Faculty of Letters. 19.
Hanabusa Ryugai. 1903. Shiritsu gekijo wo kensetsu seyo! [Establish Municipal Theatres!]. Yomiuri shinbun, November 29.
Kamiyama Akira. 2006 Katsureki no ryobun [Territory of katsureki] Kindai-engeki no raireki [Sources of the Modern Theatre], 65. Tokyo: Shinwa-sha.
Kaneko Kazuo. 1999. Kindai nihon bijutu-kyoiku no kenkyu—Meiji, Taisho-jidai [A Study of Art Education in Modern Japan: The Meiji and Taisho Eras] Tokyo.
Ozasa Yoshio. 1985. Nihon gendai engekishi [The History of Modern Japanese Theatre], vol. I. Tokyo: Hakusuisha.
———. 1996. Kindai kabuki no <seiyo> juyo [Reception of “The Occident” in Modern kabuki], from Preprints: The 20th International Symposium on the Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Property, Tokyo, November 12–14, p. 104.
Takao Tsuchiya. 1952. The Opening Japan Centenary Essays on Cultural history in the Meiji Era. Tokyo: Kangen-sha.
Takayasu Gekko (trans). 1901. Ibsensaku Shakaigeki [Ibsen’s Social Dramas]. Tokyo: Tokyo Senmon-Gakko.
Toita Yasuji. 1957. Introduction. In Kabuki meisakushu [Best kabuki plays], vol. 13. Tokyo: Sogen-sha.
Tsubouchi Shoyo. 1925. Kaioku-mandan [Trivial Memoirs] No. 2, Waseda Bungaku [Waseda Literature], November.
Watanabe Tamotsu. 1997. Mokuami no Meiji Ishin [Mokuami’s Meiji Restoration]. Tokyo: Shincho-sha.
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MORI, M. (2019). Relevant Figures at the Early Stage of the Modernization of Japanese Theatre. In: Nagata, Y., Chaturvedi, R. (eds) Modernization of Asian Theatres. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-6046-6_2
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