The Famous Stage Drama in Japan

I tried to do research on the famous stage drama in Japan, but I found that there is no example. In foreign country, some stage dramas are famous, like Romeo and Juliet or Cats. Because modern stage style was imported from Pasific countries, Japan has little history about stage(except for Kabuki, Nou, and so on.)

Instead of that, I will tell you the famous theatrical companies in Japan.

Bungakuza… it is a Japanese theatrical company. It, along with the Haiyūza Theatre Company and the Mingei Theatrical Company, stages Shingeki. The company was founded by Kunio Kishida, Mantarō Kubota and Bunroku Shishi on September 6, 1937. On March 25, 1938, the company staged its first public performances with "Migotona Onna", "Wagaya no Heiwa" and "Kunokkusu". Shinobu Terazima and Hiromi Hasegawa are former members.

Gekidan☆shinkansen…it is a Japanese under-ground theatrical company. In 1980,the company was founded by Hidenori Inoue and students at Osaka University of Arts. Arata Furuta and Jhun Hashimoto belong to the members. Moreover, some writings became movies.

The Kind of Stage Styles

There are many styles in stages.
comedy… it is any humorous discourse or work generally intended to amuse by creating laughter, especially in television, film.
tragedy…it is a form of art based on human suffering that offers its audience pleasure.
musical…it is a form of theater combining songs, spoken dialogue, acting, and dance. The emotional content of the piece – humor, pathos, love, anger – as well as the story itself, is communicated through the words, music, movement and technical aspects of the entertainment as an integrated whole.
These are simple category. In Japan, stages are separeted more closely.
Taisyuu Engeki…it is a easy stage for audience. Generally, Its performers are Tabiyakusya, that is actor who wanders many parts of the country.
commercial drama…the term is used for critisezing lately stage from Kabuki's view. Famous actor is appointed as the lead character, and it makes a point of apperance that the featured actor is how smart and beautiful.

The Kinds of Stage People

When you hear the word "stage people," you will remind cast first. But in fact, many different people are concerned with stage.
cast…it is an actor or actress. They play on the stage.
gaffer … it is engaged in light. They plan and oparate lights.
sound engineer … it takes charge of sound. They plan and oparate sound. Besides, they look for or make sound.
art director … it is the person who thinks about stage settings.
advertisement director … it takes charge of commercial arts : poster, handout, pamphlet.
theatrical costume … it is the person who thinks about, makes and prepares clothes for stages.
executor…it takes charge of place for playing, money, and negotiation with other association.
stage director…it is very important person. He or she decides cast's acting principle and mood of the stage, along the script.
playwright…  it is a writer. stage people work based on its script.
No one can take other's place. So, all stage people need for stages.

Terms About Stages

There are different terms in stages.

Anten  …changing stage settings in black stages.
Meien…changing stage settings in bright stages.
 Etude …impromptu play. acting without script.
Kamite… in English, stage left. when you watch a stage from the stand, Kamite is right side.
 Simote …in English, stage right. when you watch a stage from the stand, Kamite is left side
 Sikomi …placing stage settings, instruments, and tools.
Barashi…removing stage settings, instruments, and tools.

Stage staffs often use these terms.

The History of Japanese Stage

The origin of Japanese stage is said that the time Zyoumon air was beginning. People danced with mask or accessory. As an evidence, various tools connected festival.

 In Nara air, Gigaku and Sangaku ,a sort of dance, was prosperous as a stage. Gigaku came in China.Sangaku was imported from Asia and developed in Japan.  From Heian to kamakura air, Sarugaku, that is developed from Sangaku, came in. Afterward, kanami and zeami developed Nou, and Izumonookuni developed Kabuki. Then, many traditional performing arts came. These are continued playing now.

 In Meizi  air, western stage was imported. This is a turning point. Then, present stage style was start. In the tide of western ideas,