Shoji Kokami
Encyclopedia
is a Japanese playwright, director, actor, and filmmaker.
, Kōkami was attending Waseda University
when he founded the theatrical company Daisanbutai (Third Stage). Becoming "one of the prime movers in the 1980s small-scale youth theater movement in Japan", he won the Kunio Kishida Award
in 1995 for his play Sunafukin no tegami. Earning a fellowship from the Agency for Cultural Affairs
in 1997, he spent a year in London, and has since presented such plays as Trance on the London stage. The play Halcyon Days, which he wrote about suicide websites in Japan, has also been presented in Great Britain.
Kōkami has also directed and acted in several films.
Career
Born in Niihama, EhimeNiihama, Ehime
is a city located in the eastern part of Ehime, Japan. It has the third largest population in Ehime, behind the prefectural capital of Matsuyama and the recently expanded city of Imabari.Niihama was founded on November 3, 1937...
, Kōkami was attending Waseda University
Waseda University
, abbreviated as , is one of the most prestigious private universities in Japan and Asia. Its main campuses are located in the northern part of Shinjuku, Tokyo. Founded in 1882 as Tokyo Senmon Gakko, the institution was renamed "Waseda University" in 1902. It is known for its liberal climate...
when he founded the theatrical company Daisanbutai (Third Stage). Becoming "one of the prime movers in the 1980s small-scale youth theater movement in Japan", he won the Kunio Kishida Award
Kunio Kishida
was one of the most prominent Japanese dramatist and writer of the early 20th century and is regarded as one of the founders of modern Japanese drama....
in 1995 for his play Sunafukin no tegami. Earning a fellowship from the Agency for Cultural Affairs
Agency for Cultural Affairs
The is a special body of the Japanese Ministry of Education . It was set up in 1968 to promote Japanese arts and culture. As of April 2007, it is led by the Commissioner for Cultural Affairs, Tamotsu Aoki....
in 1997, he spent a year in London, and has since presented such plays as Trance on the London stage. The play Halcyon Days, which he wrote about suicide websites in Japan, has also been presented in Great Britain.
Kōkami has also directed and acted in several films.