Shinha Shinengeki Segidan Ichiza Hamuretsuto (Hamlet, Staged by the New School New Theatre Justice Troupe)

Shinha Shinengeki Segidan Ichiza Hamuretsuto ["Hamlet, Staged by the New School New Theatre Justice Troupe"]

Shakespeare, William [original text by]; Yamagishi, Kayō, Doi, Shunsho [translated by].

[Japan: creator unidentified, ca. late Meiji period (before 1909)].

A Meiji era poster for a performance by the Seigi-dan troupe of Shakespeare's Hamlet, with blank spaces for the performance location, date, and time to be filled in by hand. The performance used the Yamagishi Kayō and Shunsho Dohi translation of Hamlet, which was also used by the Kawakami Otojirō troupe for their performances in Meiji 36 (1903). Information about the Seigi-dan's staging, which starred Mishima Rokurō as Hamura Toshimaru (the Japanised version of Hamlet), is extremely scarce. A reference to Mishima playing the role of Hamura appears in a 1908 issue of the journal Engi Gahō, suggesting the performance may have been staged around that time. There is also a record of the same (very little-known) troupe performing around ten times in Yokohama in Meiji 41 (1908), although it is unclear if they were performing Hamlet. The image featured on this poster appears on at least two other posters produced in Meiji 37 (1904) for the Kawakami troupe, and at least one of the actors who appeared in the Kawakami troupe's performance, the onnagata actor Maruyama Hisao, also appeared in this Seigi-dan performance (although with a different role). The actors' names are listed under their roles in the lower section of the print. The text states that the production will be performed in six acts and showcase electrical effects. A scarce remnant of an early Japanese production of Hamlet, requiring further research.

One leaf, printed on one side. Light stain to right side. Small chips to extremities. Creases, light browning, and minor marks. 39 x 54.4 cm.

# 20240427-5

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