Japonism in Theatre: Japan as Introduced by Japanese Touring Theatre Companies

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 17K02349
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Art at large
• Research Institution: The University of Tokyo
• Principal Investigator: Negishi Takako 東京大学, 教養学部, 特任研究員 (80322436)
• Project Period (FY): 2017-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: ジャポニズム / 女優 / 日本人論

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This study examined the performances of Madame Hanako’s company, given at the beginning of the early 20th century when Western people had limited opportunities to see Japanese theatre. I collected extensive material on her company from both the West and Japan. The examination of these materials illuminated how Madame Hanako succeeded in the West. She projected a Western image of ‘Nippon (Japan)’ in her performances by using the skills she acquired through her experiences as a child actor with the female kabuki performers and her training as a geisha. Her skills were developed through the kabuki tradition. Therefore, she was a suitable actress for introducing Japanese theatre to Western audiences during this period. Furthermore, Madame Hanako can be regarded as a pioneering Japanese artist who won an international reputation.

Free Research Field

近代日本演劇

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

20世紀初頭、海外でデビューし、20年におよぶ活躍ののち、日本に帰国し以後舞台に立つことのなかった日本女優・マダム花子については、関係資料が海外に分散しているため、これまでまとまった研究はなされてこなかった。特に日本における資料・調査と西欧における資料・調査をつなぐ総括的な研究が必要とされていた。
本研究ではそれを実行し、成果を一般の方々にも分かるよう書籍にまとめることができた。ロダンのモデル、あるいは森鴎外の小説「花子」のヒロイン（のモデル）でもある花子が、自らの技芸を生かしながら、海外の観客が見たがっている〈日本〉を意識的に見せ、成功をつかんでいった軌跡を示せたものと思う。