Ricerc@Sapienza

This paper aims at a thorough rethinking of the literary activity of Koda Rohan (1867-1947) in view of his prolonged involvement in the field of Japanese Theatre. In order to better understand the significance of this involvement, Rohan's relationship and fervent exchange of ideas with connoiseurs of Western theatre, and advocates of a reform of Japanese theatre such as Mori Ogai (1862-1922) and Tsubouchi Shoyo (1859-1935) are discussed throughout the paper; Rohan's own production of plays is analysed and linked to the revolution that affected Japanese theatre in the XIX and XX centuries, in order to show how he was aware of, and discussed openly in his critical essays, al the major trends of modern theatre, while mantaining his own ideas as to what kind of theatre would be suitable for contemporary audiences in Japan and abroad.