National Theatre

Japanese: 国立劇場 - こくりつげきじょう

A theater is established with financial support from the state and operated to preserve, pass on, and promote the performing arts of the country. In Japan, the first was established and opened in 1966 (Showa 41), and various facilities described below have been established as venues for the public display of Japan's traditional classical performing arts. These were managed and operated by the National Theatre, a special corporation under the National Theatre Act, but in 1990 (Heisei 2), the name was changed to the special corporation Japan Arts Council (it became an independent administrative institution in 2003, instead of a special corporation).

[Hideki Tanaka]

Japan's National Theatre

The movement to establish a national theater began around 1873 or 1874 (Meiji 6 or 7). It began when Morita Kanya, the 12th head of the Morita Theater, was inspired by hearing about the state of court theaters in Europe from Okubo Toshimichi and Suematsu Kencho, who had returned from an overseas inspection tour, and drew up plans for the theater. In 1886, Suematsu and others formed the Theater Improvement Association, which gained the support of the then Prime Minister Ito Hirobumi and began work on the construction plan. In 1906 (Meiji 39), a meeting of promoters for the establishment of a national theater was held again, bringing together politicians and business leaders led by Ito Hirobumi, but both plans were abandoned. In the Taisho period, in 1921 (Taisho 10), the modern theatre actor Sasamoto Kogo proposed "the construction of a non-profit national theatre," which was supported by Hatoyama Ichiro and others, but this also fell through. In 1936 (Showa 11), the Committee for Proposals to Establish a National Theatre, chaired by Nakamura Kichizo, compiled a proposal led by Nakamura Utaemon V, Ikeda Daigo, Okamoto Kido, Kawatake Shigetoshi and others, which was even submitted to the Diet, but was discontinued the following year due to the outbreak of the Second Sino-Japanese War. In 1947 (Showa 22) after the Second World War, Prime Minister Katayama Tetsu held a meeting at the Prime Minister's Official Residence to discuss the establishment of a National Theatre, and the Katayama Cabinet commissioned a Drama Culture Committee consisting of Kawatake Shigetoshi, Hijikata Yoshi, Fujiwara Yoshie and others, but this also did not come to fruition. However, in 1955, the Committee for the Protection of Cultural Properties (now the Agency for Cultural Affairs) planned to establish a National Theatre as a task for the preservation and promotion of classical performing arts as intangible cultural properties, and the following year the National Theatre Establishment Preparatory Council (chaired by Komiya Toyotaka) was launched, and finally the groundwork was started. The original plan was to include an opera house and a Noh theater as well, but due to the location of the site, which was the former site of Miyakezaka Palace Heights, the purpose was changed to "principally to exhibit Japan's ancient traditional performing arts, train successors, conduct research, etc., and promote the preservation and promotion of these arts, thereby contributing to the advancement of culture" (Article 1 of the National Theatre Act), and the plan was realized in the autumn of 1966, nearly a century after the movement to establish a national theatre began.

[Hideki Tanaka]

National Theatre

Located in Hayabusa-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo. Architectural design by Iwamoto Hiroyuki and 13 others (Takenaka Corporation). Opened in November 1966. Various projects are carried out with three pillars: public exhibition of Japan's traditional performing arts, training of successors, and research. Facilities include a large theater (1,746 seats), a small theater (630 seats), a library and reference room for research, and a training room for training projects. For public projects, kabuki, bunraku, gagaku, Japanese music, Japanese dance, and folk performing arts are regularly performed as independent performances. The theater is also available for rental for private use. The research project involves compiling a collection of materials on performed arts and a Kabuki chronology, and collecting and exhibiting materials on performing arts. The training project involves training performers of Kabuki, Bunraku, and Noh, as well as Takemoto, Kabuki bayashi, and Yose bayashi.

[Hideki Tanaka]

National Museum of Performing Arts

Located within the grounds of the National Theatre, it opened in November 1979. It has a 300-seat National Engei Hall and hosts public performances of popular entertainment such as rakugo and kodan, as well as research and exhibitions.

[Hideki Tanaka]

National Noh Theatre

Located in Sendagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo. Architectural design: Hiroshi Oe. Opened in September 1983. Equipped with a Noh stage (591 seats), a training room, and a reference room, the facility hosts regular independent performances of Noh and Kyogen, as well as training programs for the successors of the three Noh roles (waki, hayashi, and kyogen).

[Hideki Tanaka]

National Bunraku Theatre

Located in Kozu-cho, Chuo-ku, Osaka. Architectural design: Kisho Kurokawa. Opened in March 1984. 753 seats. While it is intended to be used exclusively for Bunraku, it also has a temporary runway and is suitable for a wide range of traditional performing arts, including Kabuki, Japanese dance, and Japanese music, and is intended to function as a base for promoting the performing arts in Kamigata.

Meanwhile, the establishment of a national theater for modern performing arts such as opera, ballet and drama had been a long-standing issue, but the Second National Theater Establishment Preparatory Council, which was launched in December 1972, drew up a basic concept, the site was decided upon as Honmachi, Shibuya Ward, Tokyo, and a design competition was held using the 1985 budget from the Agency for Cultural Affairs. Preparations were made with the aim of opening as soon as possible, and the New National Theater opened in October 1997. In the same year, the Performing Arts Center and Archives opened in Choshi, Chiba Prefecture, and in 2003, the Traditional Arts Information Center opened on the grounds of the National Theater's main building. In January 2004, the National Theater Okinawa (large hall and small hall) opened in Urasoe, Okinawa Prefecture.

[Hideki Tanaka]

National Theatres Abroad

In Europe, there have long been court theaters that developed under the patronage of each country's royal family, and many of them have transitioned into national theaters. Today, national (often state or city) theaters are often established for opera and ballet, which require a great deal of money to perform, such as La Scala in Milan (Italy), the Royal Opera House in London (England), the Paris Opera (France), the Berlin State Opera (Germany), the Vienna State Opera and the Volksoper (Austria), the Kennedy Center Opera in Washington, the San Francisco Opera (USA), the Canadian National Arts Centre Opera, and Russian opera and ballet theaters, including the Bolshoi (national) theater in Moscow. National theaters for theatrical performances include the Comedie Francaise in Paris, which boasts a tradition dating back to Molière, the Burgtheater in Vienna, the Berliner Ensemble, and the Moscow Art Theater and Maly Theater in Russia, all of which are known worldwide as theater companies with their own theaters as their home bases.

[Hideki Tanaka]

National Theatre
Opened in November 1966. The building is modeled after the Azekura-zukuri style and contains a large theater and a small theater. Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo ©Yutaka Sakano ">

National Theatre

National Noh Theatre
This facility was established for the purpose of holding Noh and Kyogen performances and training Noh and Kyogen performers. Designed by architect Hiroshi Oe, it opened in 1983. The theater with a Noh stage seats 591 people. In addition, the building has a Noh stage for training, an exhibition room introducing the tools, instruments, and costumes used in Noh, and a library. Shibuya-ku, Tokyo ©Yutaka Sakano ">

National Noh Theatre

National Bunraku Theatre
Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture © Yuya Fujino

National Bunraku Theatre

New National Theatre
It has three theaters (opera theater, medium-sized theater, and small theater) equipped with the latest facilities and is used for performing arts performances in various genres such as opera, ballet, modern dance, and theater. It opened in 1997. Behind it is the adjacent Tokyo Opera City Building. Shibuya-ku, Tokyo ©Yutaka Sakano ">

New National Theatre

La Scala
This opera house was built on the site of the Church of St. Maria alla Scala. It opened in 1778 and is Italy's leading opera house. The current building was rebuilt between 1946 and 1948 after being damaged during World War II. Milan, Italy ©Shogakukan ">

La Scala

Paris Opera
Originating from the Royal Academy of Music of France, founded in 1669, this is France's leading opera house. The current building was designed by architect Charles Garnier and completed in 1875. It is also called the Palais Garnier (Opera Garnier). France, Paris ©Masashi Tanaka ">

Paris Opera

Vienna State Opera
Opened in 1869, it is one of the world's leading opera houses. Approximately 50 operas and 20 ballets are performed here each year. Part of the World Heritage Site "Historic Center of Vienna" (Austria, registered in 2001) Vienna, Austria ©Masashi Tanaka ">

Vienna State Opera

Bolshoi Theatre
Russia's leading opera and ballet theater. Founded in 1776, it is known as the home of the Bolshoi Ballet. The current building was rebuilt in 1856. It was once the political center of the country, hosting the Congress of Soviets. Russia Moscow ©Shogakukan ">

Bolshoi Theatre

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

Japanese:

国家が財政的な援助を与えて設立し、その国の舞台芸術の保存・継承・振興のために運営する劇場。日本では1966年（昭和41）設立開場されたのに始まり、日本の伝統的な古典芸能の公開の場として、後述の各種の施設が整えられている。これの管理運営は、国立劇場法による特殊法人国立劇場が行ってきたが、1990年（平成2）の法改正により、名称が特殊法人日本芸術文化振興会に変更された（2003年特殊法人から独立行政法人となる）。

［田中英機］

日本の国立劇場

その設立運動は1873、1874年（明治6、7）ごろに始まる。当時の欧化主義のもと、守田座の座元12世守田勘弥(かんや)が、海外視察から帰朝した大久保利通(としみち)、末松謙澄(けんちょう)らにヨーロッパ諸国の宮廷劇場の実情を聞き、大いに刺激されてその計画をたてたのに始まる。1886年、末松らの結成した演劇改良会は、時の宰相伊藤博文(ひろぶみ)の支持を得てその建築計画に着手、また1906年（明治39）ふたたび伊藤博文を中心に政財界人を集めて国立劇場設立発起人会が開かれるなどしたが、いずれも中絶した。大正期には1921年（大正10）新劇俳優笹本甲午(ささもとこうご)によって「営利を目的としない国立劇場の建設」が提唱され、鳩山(はとやま)一郎らが支援したが、これも立ち消えとなった。1936年（昭和11）中村吉蔵(きちぞう)を会長とする国立劇場設置案委員会が、5世中村歌右衛門(うたえもん)、池田大伍(だいご)、岡本綺堂(きどう)、河竹繁俊(しげとし)らを中心に建議案をまとめ、国会にまで提出されたが、翌年、日中戦争の勃発(ぼっぱつ)により中絶した。第二次世界大戦後の1947年（昭和22）、総理大臣片山哲は官邸で国立劇場設置の懇談会を開き、片山内閣の委嘱によって、河竹繁俊、土方与志(ひじかたよし)、藤原義江(よしえ)らによる演劇文化委員会が設けられたが、これも実らなかった。しかし1955年、文化財保護委員会（現文化庁）は、無形文化財としての古典芸能の保存振興施策の課題として国立劇場設立を企図し、翌年国立劇場設立準備協議会（会長・小宮豊隆(とよたか)）が発足し、ようやくその端緒が開かれた。当初計画ではオペラ劇場や能楽堂をも含む構想であったが、三宅坂(みやけざか)パレスハイツ跡の敷地の関係から、「主としてわが国古来の伝統的な芸能の公開、伝承者の養成、調査研究等を行い、その保存及び振興を図り、もって文化の向上に寄与する」（国立劇場法第1条）ことを目的とし、1966年秋、つまり国立劇場設立運動がおこってからほぼ1世紀後、その実現をみたのである。

［田中英機］

国立劇場

東京都千代田区隼(はやぶさ)町。建築設計・岩本博行ら13名（竹中工務店）。1966年（昭和41）11月開場。わが国伝統芸能の公開、伝承者養成、調査研究を三本柱に各種の事業を行う。その施設として、大劇場（1746席）、小劇場（630席）、および調査研究のための図書室・資料室など、さらに養成事業のための研修室などがある。公開事業では、自主公演として歌舞伎(かぶき)・文楽(ぶんらく)・雅楽・邦楽・邦舞・民俗芸能などを定期的に上演。また貸劇場によって民間の利用・活用に供している。調査事業では上演芸能資料集や歌舞伎年表の作成、芸能資料の収集・展示を行い、養成事業では歌舞伎・文楽・能楽の技芸者の養成から、竹本(たけもと)・歌舞伎囃子(ばやし)・寄席(よせ)囃子などの研修を実施。

［田中英機］

国立演芸資料館

国立劇場敷地内に併設。1979年11月開館。国立演芸場（300席）を中心に、落語・講談など大衆演芸の公開、調査研究、資料展示などを行う。

［田中英機］

国立能楽堂

東京都渋谷区千駄ヶ谷(せんだがや)。建築設計・大江宏。1983年9月開場。能舞台（591席）と、研修室、資料室を整備し、能・狂言の定期的な自主公演とともに、能楽三役（ワキ、囃子、狂言）の伝承者養成事業を行う。

［田中英機］

国立文楽劇場

大阪市中央区高津(こうづ)町。建築設計・黒川紀章。1984年3月開場。753席。文楽専用を旨としながら、仮設花道なども用意し、歌舞伎や邦舞・邦楽など広く伝統芸能一般の上演にもふさわしい劇場となっており、上方(かみがた)の芸能振興の一拠点として機能させようとしている。

　また一方、オペラ、バレエ、演劇など現代舞台芸術のための国立劇場設立も長年の懸案であったが、1972年12月に発足した第二国立劇場設立準備協議会によって基本的な構想が策定されるとともに、敷地も東京都渋谷区本町に決まり、1985年度文化庁予算には設計競技が実施されるなど、早期開場を目ざして準備が進められ、1997年10月「新国立劇場」として開場した。同年、千葉県銚子(ちょうし)市に舞台美術センター資料館が、2003年には国立劇場本館敷地内に伝統芸術情報館が開館した。2004年1月、沖縄県浦添(うらそえ)市に国立劇場おきなわ（大ホール、小ホール）が開場した。

［田中英機］

海外の国立劇場

ヨーロッパでは古くから各国王家の庇護(ひご)の下に発展した宮廷劇場があり、それが国立劇場に移行した形が多い。今日では、上演に多大の費用を要するオペラ、バレエのために国立（州立・市立なども多い）劇場が設けられる例が多く、ミラノ・スカラ座（イタリア）、ロンドンのロイヤル・オペラハウス（イギリス）、パリ・オペラ座（フランス）、ベルリン国立歌劇場（ドイツ）、ウィーン国立歌劇場、同フォルクスオーパー（オーストリア）、ワシントンのケネディ・センター・オペラ劇場、サンフランシスコ市立歌劇場（アメリカ）、カナダ国立芸術センター・オペラ劇場、そしてモスクワのボリショイ（国立）劇場をはじめとするロシアのオペラ・バレエ劇場などがあげられる。また演劇上演の国立劇場としては、モリエール以来の伝統を誇るパリのコメディ・フランセーズ、ウィーンのブルク劇場、ベルリンのベルリーナ・アンサンブル、ロシアではモスクワ芸術座、同マールイ劇場などが世界的に知られており、これらはいずれも本拠地としての自らの劇場をもつ劇団である点が特色である。

［田中英機］