Yutaka Mafune

Playwright. Born in Fukushima Prefecture on February 16, 1902. While studying English at Waseda University, he became familiar with Irish literature and wrote one-act plays such as "The Water Thief" (1926) and "The Cold Duck" (1927), which garnered attention. However, he became interested in socialist ideas and dropped out, devoting himself to the peasant movement for a time. He eventually resumed writing plays, and in 1934 (Showa 9), he published "The Weasel" in "Dramatic Literature," which was performed under the direction of Kubota Mantaro, bringing him into the limelight. In 1936, he published "The Child of the Sun," "The Naked Town," and "The Stranger" (the first two works were also made into films in the same year), and in 1937, he published "Fugetufu," among others, becoming a star playwright. During this period, he also showed interest in radio dramas, leaving behind masterpieces that decorate the history of radio dramas, such as "Avalanche" (1935) and "Rapid Current" (1939). After World War II, he returned from mainland China and became more interested in farce, turning to satires of human nature mixed with resignation, such as "Nakahashi Kokan" (1946), "Yellow Room" (1948), "Red Lamp" (1954), and "The Life of Zenko" (1963). He also wrote novels and critiques. He died on August 3, 1977.

[Tsutomu Ohshima]

"The Mafune Yutaka Selections, Five Volumes (1948-50, Koyama Shoten)" ▽ "The Mafune Yutaka Radio Drama Collection (1951, Hobunkan)"

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

劇作家。明治35年2月16日福島県に生まれる。早稲田(わせだ)大学英文科在学中アイルランド文学に親しみ、『水泥棒』（1926）、『寒鴨(かんがも)』（1927）などの一幕物を書いて注目されたが、社会主義思想に目覚めて中退、一時農民運動に身を投じた。やがて劇作を再開し、1934年（昭和9）『劇文学』に発表した『鼬(いたち)』が久保田万太郎演出により上演されて一躍脚光を浴び、36年に『太陽の子』『裸の町』『見知らぬ人』（前二作は同年映画化もされた）、37年に『遁走譜(とんそうふ)』などを立て続けに発表して花形劇作家となった。この時期には放送劇の分野にも意欲を示し、『なだれ』（1935）、『激流』（1939）など、ラジオドラマ史上を飾る傑作を残している。第二次世界大戦後、中国大陸から引き揚げたのちはファルス（笑劇）への傾斜を深め、『中橋公館』（1946）、『黄色い部屋』（1948）、『赤いランプ』（1954）、『善光の一生』（1963）など、諦観(ていかん)を交えた人間風刺劇へ向かった。小説や評論もある。昭和52年8月3日没。

［大島　勉］

『『真船豊選集』全五巻（1948～50・小山書店）』▽『『真船豊ラジオ・ドラマ集』（1951・宝文館）』

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