Returning to the beginning of Theatre Studies: A private memory on the early days of Japanese Society for Theatre Research

Abstract

Japanese Society for Theatre Research was founded in October 1948, just after the end of the war. Shigetoshi Kawatake was the first president, and Kenji Shuzui the vice president. However, the organization of Society was already formed in prewar years, 1931. The constitution of the society manifested to establish theatre studies in Japan. In a newspaper it was said as follows: “the society for theatre research was formed in order to research academically theatre and theatrical phenomenon. The first committee members were Ryozo Niizeki, Toyoichiro Nogami, Shigetoshi Kawatake, Seiichi Funahashi, Tatsuyuki Takano, Tomoichiro Iizuka, Kenji Shuzui and Hisao Tanabe. And the Society projected to publish its academic journal.” Since I had served six years in the president, I would like to describe the early days of the Society rethinking theatre studies in Japan and my personal history as well. It would contribute to this special issue.