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Kichizo Nakamura

なかむら きちぞう

Nakamura Kichizo

Pen Names: Nakamura Harusame（Pen name used for early novels and plays）, Harusame（Short-form pen name used in some early works）

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1877-05-15 （Tsuwano, Shimane, Japan）
Died
1941-12-24 （Nishisugamo, Toshima, Tokyo, Japan） age 64
Nationality
Japan
Languages
Japanese
Residence History
Tsuwano, Shimane (birthplace) → Osaka (lived and worked) → Tokyo (moved to and spent later life)

Career

Occupations
Playwright, Theatre researcher, Novelist, University professor
Active Years
1901-1941
Affiliations
New Social Drama Company (founder/leader), Gekijoza (Art Theatre) (participant), Waseda University (Professor), Ibsen Society (organizer)
Memberships
Ibsen Society, Gekijoza (Art Theatre), Waseda University faculty
Influenced By
Henrik Ibsen
Influenced
Playwrights and actors of the Japanese New Theatre movement, Theatre scholars trained at Waseda University

Education

Tokyo Senmon Gakko (now Waseda University)
Faculty of Letters / Department of Literature
Period: 1900-1903
Year of Graduation: 1903
Country: Japan
Published works while enrolled; active as a writer/playwright after graduation

Awards

Doctor of Literature (degree)
1942
Work: Nihon Gikyoku Gikōron (Techniques of Japanese Drama)
Result: 授与決定（死後）

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

The Pastor's House

1910 New social drama (play)

One of his representative new social dramas; a play dealing with social issues.

social critiquereligion and morality
Adaptations
  • [Stage] The Pastor's House (1910)

The Death of Lord Ii

1920 Historical drama (play)

A historical play about Ii Naosuke; staged at the Kabukiza theatre in 1920.

historypower and responsibility
Adaptations
  • [Stage] The Death of Lord Ii (Kabukiza production) (1920)

Yodoya Tatsugoro

1920 Play

A play based on a historical figure.

biographyfamily

Techniques of Japanese Drama

1942 Theatre theory / research

A scholarly work summarizing techniques of Japanese drama; instrumental in the decision to award a doctorate.

theatre theoryplaywriting techniques

Bibliography

  • Fig
  • The Little Lamb
  • The Young Pigeon
  • Stories from the Old Testament
  • The Horn
  • The Minister of Justice
  • Women and Religion: A Model of Female Education (co-authored)
  • Popular New Testament Stories
  • Stowaway Woman
  • Torch
  • Impressions of Europe and America
  • The Pastor's House
  • Recent European and American Theatres
  • Recent Drama Theory and Reviews
  • Ibsen
  • New Social Drama
  • Hakuin the Monk: Collected Plays
  • Yodoya Tatsugoro: A Play
  • The Death of Lord Ii
  • Studies in Modern Theatre History (co-authored)
  • Oshio Heihachiro: Historical Drama
  • Selected Modern Plays by Kichizo Nakamura
  • Zeniyagobei: Father and Son
  • Greek Drama, Shakespeare, and Modern Drama
  • Playwriting Practice
  • The Clown: Collected Plays
  • Collected Plays of Kichizo Nakamura
  • Eccentrics of Meiji: Collected Plays
  • The Art of Playwriting
  • Dōgen's Personality and His Religion
  • German in Theatre
  • Life of Toyama Mitsuru
  • Collected Works of Kichizo Nakamura
  • Itō Hirobumi
  • Contemporary Theatre Theory
  • Ito, Togo, Toyama: Plays

Adaptations

  • The Death of Lord Ii - Kabukiza 1920 production
  • The Pastor's House - performed by New Social Drama Company

Translations by Author

  • Ibsen: Collected Letters (translation)
  • A Doll's House (Ibsen translation)
  • Brand (Ibsen) translation
  • The Power of Darkness (Tolstoy translation)
  • Six Greek Tragedies (translation)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
Realistic tendencies influenced by IbsenRealistic depiction oriented toward new social dramaAnalytical descriptions grounded in theatre history and theory
Recurring Motifs
social critiquereligion and ethicsportrayal of historical figuresfocus on playwriting technique

Health

  • cerebral apoplexy (brain hemorrhage)
    1941年12月
    Died suddenly of a brain hemorrhage; activities ceased. The decision to award a doctorate occurred after his death.

Legacy

A playwright and theatre scholar who contributed to the development of modern Japanese theatre. He introduced Ibsen to Japan, promoted new social drama, and influenced later generations through teaching at Waseda University.

Academic Societies

  • Ibsen Society
  • Waseda Theatre Association

Archives

  • Gotokuji Temple (grave site)

In Popular Culture

  • Works preserved as subjects of study in the New Theatre movement and as educational material

Trivia

  • Used the pen name Nakamura Harusame (Harusame).
  • Born in Tsuwano, Shimane Prefecture.
  • Served as a professor at Waseda University, teaching theatre history.
  • Studied abroad in the United States and Germany to deepen theatre research.
  • Buried at Gotokuji Temple.