Talk:Yōji Sakate

Bibliography

These sources presents a wide variety of material on Yoji Sakate such as his major works and accomplishments, influences on his works, interviews directly from the playwright, and major themes. Several of the sources provided detailed information about specific thematic elements in his plays. They also include why Sakate is regarded as an important and influential figure in the field of drama. I would have like to see more information on his personal life to see what kind of background he is coming from. Also, the sources mention who has influenced him, but lacks information on who he has influenced in return. More biographical information on Sakate would be good to give the foundation of his plays more context. For this new Wikipedia article, I would like to see Sakate’s themes have its own section, as that is something prevalent in many of the sources. The themes and influences can be elaborated on in this section. Also, criticisms and social commentaries should have their own sections as well because Sakate’s works heavily revolved around those subjects.

Bellafante, Ginia. "Too Much of Nothing, a Japanese Affliction." The New York Times, 13 Mar. 2007. Web. 27 Apr. 2015. This is a review of The Attic and focuses on the plays theme of people withdrawn from society. This interview gives insight on critiques on his plays outside of Japan, and also shows how well received they were from foreign countries. Usefulness: #5 out of 6

Cody, Gabrielle H. The Columbia Encyclopedia of Modern Drama. Vol. 2. New York: Columbia UP, 2007. 1180. Print. This gives historical background on his plays and the context in which Sakate wrote his plays during his time. It also includes influences, and social commentaries made in his works. Usefulness: #4 out of 6

Jortner, David. Modern Japanese Theatre and Performance. Lanham, MD: Lexington, 2006. 41-42. Print. Mostly includes general biographical information, themes in works, and describes his role as an influential playwright. It also features some important accomplishments, and focuses on elaborating on the specific theme of “dreams” in his works. Usefulness: #2 out of 6

Rimer, J. Thomas. The Columbia Anthology of Modern Japanese Drama. New York: Columbia UP, 2014. 508, 579-611. Print. The anthology provides an introduction on The Attic, a play about several characters staying in an attic to escape the reality of Japanese society. It also describes his accomplishments such as the establishment of the Phosphorescence Troupe, and discusses common themes in his various works. His plays play an important role in presenting social issues in Japan along with other politically active playwrights of the contemporary era. Usefulness: #1 out of 6

Sorgenfrei, Carol Fisher. "Half a Century of Japanese Theater I: 1990's Part 1." Asian Theatre Journal. Vol. 17. 2000: 306. Web. 27 Apr. 2015. In this review, Sorgenfrei discusses different perspectives on themes in his works. She also gives some plot summaries of his main plays and compares them to other playwrights. Mainly about Epitaph for the Whales (1993). Usefulness: #6 out of 6

Tanaka, Nobuko. "Yoji Sakate Celebrates in Style." Japan Times RSS. The Japan Times, 20 Nov. 2013. Web. 27 Apr. 2015. This is an interview with Yoji Sakate about his latest work at the time There Was A Cinema Here. It also includes some background information on the work. The interview gives direct insight and commentary from the playwright himself. Questions included comparisons to this work to others and why he chose certain settings. Usefulness: #3 out of 6

Key Points • Major Works: The Attic (2003), Come Out (1987), Tokyo Trial (1988) • Common themes: dreams, satirized Japan’s legal system • His works address social issues such as censorship, antisocial syndromes, sexuality, whaling • Epitaph for the Whales (1993) part of ongoing series of “contemporary nō” • Influenced by Yamazaki Tetsu’s journalistic style of theater