Yomiuri Literary Award
1 appearances
-
Edition 58 (2006) award
Moriaki Watanabe
わたなべ もりあき
Moriaki Watanabe
Aliases:
渡辺守章
Profile
- Gender
- Male
- Born
- 1933-03-20 （Tokyo, Japan）
- Died
- 2021-04-11 （Tokyo, Japan） age 88
- Nationality
- Japan
- Languages
- Japanese, French
- Residence History
- Tokyo, Japan → Kyoto, Japan (visiting appointments)
Career
- Occupations
- Theatre director, French literature scholar, University professor, Translator, Author
- Active Years
- 1958-2021
- Affiliations
- University of Tokyo, The Open University of Japan, Kyoto University of Art and Design (visiting / appointed positions), En Theatre Company, Kuuchu Teien (Aerial Garden; theatre production unit)
- Influenced By
- Paul Claudel, Jean Racine, Michel Foucault
- Influenced
- Mansai Nomura, Ken Watanabe
Education
| Institution | Faculty | Department | Degree | Period | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Tokyo | College of Arts and Sciences | French studies (graduate: Department of French Literature) | 博士（文学） | — | Japan |
University of Tokyo
College of Arts and Sciences
/ French studies (graduate: Department of French Literature)
Degree:
博士（文学）
Country:
Japan
Graduated from the College of Arts and Sciences, University of Tokyo (French studies). Completed graduate study in French literature; PhD in Literature.
Awards
| Year | Award | Work | Category | Organization | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Japan Translation Culture Award | The Satin Slipper (translation) | — | — | 受賞 |
| 2006 | Mainichi Publishing Culture Award | The Satin Slipper (translation) | — | Mainichi Newspapers | 受賞 |
| 2007 | Yomiuri Literary Prize | On Racine (translation of Roland Barthes) | 翻訳研究部門 | The Yomiuri Shimbun | 受賞 |
| 2019 | Legion of Honour (Chevalier) | — | — | Government of France | 受章 |
| 2019 | Commissioner for Cultural Affairs Commendation | — | — | Agency for Cultural Affairs | 表彰 |
Japan Translation Culture Award
2006
Work:
The Satin Slipper (translation)
Result:
受賞
Mainichi Publishing Culture Award
2006
Work:
The Satin Slipper (translation)
Organization:
Mainichi Newspapers
Result:
受賞
Yomiuri Literary Prize
2007
Work:
On Racine (translation of Roland Barthes)
Category:
翻訳研究部門
Organization:
The Yomiuri Shimbun
Result:
受賞
Legion of Honour (Chevalier)
2019
Organization:
Government of France
Result:
受章
Commissioner for Cultural Affairs Commendation
2019
Organization:
Agency for Cultural Affairs
Result:
表彰
Awards & Nominations
Works
Major Works
Paul Claudel: The World of Dramatic Imagination
1975 Scholarly monographA scholarly study of Paul Claudel's theatrical thought and works, based on Watanabe's doctoral research.
French theatreTheatre theoryComparative theatre
The Fictional Body: Myth and Anti-Myth in Theatre
1978 Scholarly workAn examination of bodily expression and mythic/anti-mythic structures in theatre.
CorporealityMyth and anti-mythStage representation
Introduction to Performing Arts (Open University of Japan course material)
1996 Textbook / IntroductionA comprehensive introduction to performing arts prepared as course material for the Open University of Japan; widely used as an introductory text.
Stage theoryEducationDirecting theory
The Satin Slipper (Paul Claudel) — translation (two volumes)
2005 Translation (play)A two-volume Japanese translation of Paul Claudel's major play 'The Satin Slipper', a long-form work also known for marathon stage performances.
French dramaExtended/epic performanceSpirituality and religiosity
Adaptations
- [Stage] The Satin Slipper — Four Days of Spanish Drama (stage production, directed) / 渡邊守章 (2016)
On Racine (translation of Roland Barthes)
2006 Translation (critical essay)A translation of Roland Barthes' study 'On Racine', introducing Barthes' critical perspective on French classical drama.
Racine studiesTheatre criticismTranslation studies
Bibliography
- Paul Claudel: The World of Dramatic Imagination (1975)
- The Fictional Body: Myth and Anti-Myth in Theatre (1978)
- Notes on Theatre (1983)
- Thinking the Theatre (1984)
- The Satin Slipper (translation, 2005)
- On Racine (translation, 2006)
- Introduction to Performing Arts (Open University of Japan course material, 1996)
Adaptations
- The Satin Slipper (stage production directed by Moriaki Watanabe, 2016 at Kyoto Art Theatre)
- Tragedy Phèdre (directed by Moriaki Watanabe; staged in multiple years)
- Hamlet (directed by Moriaki Watanabe; 1990 at Tokyo Globe Theatre)
Translations by Author
- Andromaque (Racine) — translation (1965)
- Caligula (Albert Camus) — translation (1969)
- The Satin Slipper (Paul Claudel) — translation (2005)
- On Racine (Roland Barthes) — translation (2006)
Style & Themes
- Literary Style
- A clear, scholarly prose that combines academic analysis with theatrical intuitionA directing aesthetic that seeks to fuse Noh stylistics with Western theatre
- Recurring Motifs
- Dialogue / fusion with Noh theatreReinterpretation of French classical dramaRelations between space and the body
Health
-
Thoracic aortic aneurysm晩年（2021年に破裂）Ruptured in April 2021, leading to death in hospital (age 88).
Legacy
A scholar-director who bridged French theatre studies and Japanese stage art. His unique directing perspective — connecting Noh and Western theatre — influenced the theatre world and he mentored numerous actors and students.
In Popular Culture
- Ken Watanabe made his stage debut under Moriaki Watanabe's direction — an example of Watanabe's influence on actors in film and theatre.
- He is credited with early promotion of Mansai Nomura and others, helping spread new forms of theatrical expression.
Trivia
- Moriaki Watanabe was Professor Emeritus at the University of Tokyo and The Open University of Japan.
- In 2006 he received the Japan Translation Culture Award and the Mainichi Publishing Culture Award for his translation of Paul Claudel's The Satin Slipper.
- In 2019 he was awarded the Legion of Honour (Chevalier) by the Government of France.