earticle

영어

This paper examines organization of 'Sintomi-za', policy for drama improvement' and their effects on establishment of 'Kabuki-za', the modern Kabuki theater. First, it is thought that although the number of 'Sintomi-za' audiences was decreased due to radical reformation of it which was driven into a corner in terms of management because of its dept, their favors for 'high-class society' and status of theater are consequently increased, so it came to be perceived as superior to other theaters. Second, from Club for Theater Improvement's involvement in Kabuki, which was founded principally by politics, economics, media and academics, realized the theater as 'the ideal of middle-class society'. Therefore, construction of the Western-style theater and improvement of actors'/actresses' behaviors were promoted. There seemed no substantial performances from improvements of play and theatergoing method, but the improvements might have a significant effect on change of Kabuki by realizing 'Cheonnam-Kabuki' which meant that Japanese emperor went to see the Kabuki. Third, the 'Kabuki-za' founded by a member of Club of Theater Improvement began with the purpose of 'moderate improvement'. It is supposed that the direction of improvement was changed toward modern theater with commercial by individual investors, due to concerns about low box office record because of drastic reformation. In conclusion, the opening of 'Sintomi-za' and the Club of Theater Improvement's involvement in Kabuki seemed to play a significant role in establishing the modern Kabuki theater as they induced an enhancement of Kabuki which had been underestimated until then, with a view to realizing the theater as 'the ideal of middle-class society'

일본어

本稿では明治時代の｢新富座｣の成立から演劇改良の為の政策と、それが近代的歌舞伎劇場の｢歌舞伎座｣の確立に及ぼした影響について考察した。第一は、｢新富座｣は急進的な改革によって一般の観客は減り負債の為に経営面で窮地に立つことになる不作用もあったが、結果的に｢上等社会｣の愛顧や劇場の地位が高くなり他の劇場より格の高い劇場として認識されたと考えられる。第二に、政治、経済、言論、学界などが主体となり設立された｢演劇改良会｣の歌舞伎への関与は、｢中等社会以上｣へ演劇を実現することであった。その為に西洋風の劇場建築と俳優品行等の改良の為の活動を追求することになる。脚本、観劇方法の改良等に実質的な成果は得られなかったと思われるが、結果的に天皇が歌舞伎を観劇するという｢天覧歌舞伎｣を実現することになり、以後の歌舞伎に重大な役割を果たしたと思われる。第三に、演劇改良会の一員によって設立した｢歌舞伎座｣は｢漸進的な改良｣を目標として出発した。これは急進的な改良による興行成績の不振に対する懸念と個人投資家による商業性を持った近代的劇場へと改良の方向性が変化したと考えられる。結局、新富座の開場と演劇改良会の歌舞伎への関与は｢中等社会以上｣へ演劇を実現するという目的のもと、下位視されていた歌舞伎の地位向上へと繋がり近代的歌舞伎劇場の確立に大きな役割を果たしたと思われる。