Okamoto Kitō’s Sino-Japanese War of Sino-Japanese War

During the Sino-Japanese Sino-Japanese War of 1898-1894, newspapers issued extra-bills and gave them to hawkers at a price of 100 yuan per paper. The hawkers then sold them on the streets at a price of 1 yuan per paper. Since there were no radios or evening newspapers, it was said that the most profitable businessmen during the war were out-of-town hawkers. Photography technology was not yet developed at that time, and newspapers and magazines did not have photojournalists. They could only ask artists to redraw the drawings based on the sketches sent back by military reporters from the front line, make woodcuts, and publish them in newspapers and magazines.

Okamoto Kitō faithfully recorded these customs and customs in Meiji Tokyo. Another achievement he left to future generations is the record of Edo folk customs and customs described in detail in the "Hanchichi Motoko" after thorough research and extensive research. 1872 (Meiji 5th year)

My grandfather was Takeda Yoshitada, a feudal lord of Oshu Nihonmatsu, and his father Okamoto Kinosuke (renamed Jun after the Meiji Restoration) was the third son in the family. The Okamoto family were members of the imperial family of the Tokugawa Shogunate, with an annual salary of one hundred and twenty koku. In April of the first year of Meiji, Kinnosuke participated in the Battle of Noshu Utsunomiya. He was wounded in the battle at Oshu Shirakawa and returned to Edo. In the spring of the second year of Meiji, introduced by the British businessman Brown, he entered the British Legation in Takanawa and became a secretary.

My mother, Ikuno, was born in Shiba Town, Edo, and served in the shogunate according to the custom of the time. At the end of the 2nd year of the Meiji era, the couple moved to the area near Takanawa Sengakuji Temple (now the former residence of Takai Ranzan in Takanawa Kitamachi) and lived there until the 6th year of the Meiji era.

In the third year of Meiji, the two gave birth to Okamoto Kitou’s sister Mei. On October 15, Meiji 5 (November 15 in the Gregorian calendar), Kitou was born and named Keiji to show respect for his father.

1873 (Meiji 6th year) 1 year old

In the autumn, with the relocation of the British Legation, the Okamoto family also moved to Ergohanzaka, Iida Street, Komachi District.

1875 (Meiji 8th year) 3 years old

In the autumn, the new British embassy was completed and officially moved to Goban-cho. The Okamoto family also moved to Moto, Koji-cho district. New home at 1 Park Street.

At that time, my father began to teach and study the "Three Character Classic".

1879 (Meiji 12), 7 years old

Enjoyed a theatrical performance for the first time at Shintomiza (theater), and was taken backstage by his father to meet Ichikawa Danjuro.

1881 (Meiji 14), 9 years old

Learned Chinese poetry from his father and English from his uncle Takeda. I also learned English from the international students who came in and out of the embassy and listened to them tell foreign fairy tales.

1882 (Meiji 15), 10 years old

In April, he entered the third level of secondary school (equivalent to the fifth grade of elementary school today) of Pinghe Elementary School in Koji Town.

1884 (Meiji 17), 12 years old

In March, he entered Tokyo Prefecture Junior High School.

At that time, I read the popular graphic novels "The Legend of the Eight Dogs" and "The Bathhouse of the Floating World" and other works, and listened to the stories of Shakespeare told by international students.

In 1886 (Meiji 19), 14 years old

The "Drama Improvement Association" emerged, and the discussion about drama became unprecedentedly prosperous. Affected by this, Qitang decided to become a playwright, and his father also agreed. At that time, it was the heyday of the Meiji government, and it was generally believed that the descendants of the Samu sect had no hope of making a career in the officialdom. He has read all kinds of drama books and frequently attended theaters. He is very important to small theaters, especially the "Spring Wood Seat". In addition, he was also influenced by Aston, the special secretary of the embassy. Aston was one of the few British people studying in Japan during the Meiji period. He later wrote "History of Japanese Literature", "Japanese Shinto" and other works.

In 1887 (the 20th year of Meiji), at the age of 15,

Meeted Kyogen author Takeshiba Kishui, who agreed with his ambition as a playwright.

1889 (Meiji 22), 17 years old

Graduated from junior high school in July.

In October, my father ordered me to go to Kofu to raise funds and walked back and forth.

In November, the Kabuki Theater opened for business. Under the introduction of Danjuro, he met Fukuchi Sakurachi.

1890 (Meiji 23), 18 years old

In January, with the help of his father's acquaintance, he visited Naohiko Seki, the president of "Tokyo Nichiichi Shimbun", and successfully entered the newspaper office. Under the guidance of his predecessors at the agency, Tsukahara Wataru Kakien and Nishida Sumire, he worked as an editor and proofreader while working as a trainee reporter.

In June, he published a drama review for the first time under the pseudonym "Kuanqitang" ("Kangqi" is the abbreviation of the Japanese word "Kangyan Qiyu"), and later changed his name to Qitang.

1891 (Meiji 24), 19 years old

In June, under the introduction of Torahiko Enomoto, he visited Fukuchi Sakura Chi.

In September, because I was attending night school, I moved out of my home and temporarily lived in a rental house on Gorobei Street in Kyobashi Ward.

In November, the novel "Blind Sacrifice for Love" was published in the fanzine "East Boat" and the novel "Takamatsu Castle" was published in the "Tokyo Daily News".

1892 (Meiji 25), 20 years old

In June, moved to a boarding house on Owari Street. Received a physical examination for the one-year volunteer army and failed the C test.

In 1893 (Meiji 26), 21 years old

In order to earn pocket money, he began to publish novels in local newspapers.

He resigned from the "Tokyo Daily News" and moved to the "Central News" as director of the social department and also wrote drama reviews.

1894 (Meiji 27), 22 years old

In April, moved to No. 3, Yurakucho. After the outbreak of the Sino-Japanese War of 1898-1894, the workload increased dramatically and the editorial staff was busy, and he eventually fainted due to cerebral anemia.

In December, he resigned from the "Central News" and joined the newly founded Huiru Daily.

1895 (Meiji 28), 23 years old

In May, he resigned due to difficulties in running a daily newspaper. I moved out of my residence in Yurakucho and returned to my parents' home. He made a living by writing novels for local newspapers and magazines.

In 1896 (Meiji 29), 24 years old

Served as the Japanese teacher of Colonel Sartorios, deputy military attaché of the British Legation.

In August, the one-act historical drama "Shichenden" was published in "Kabuki Shinpo", which was his debut play.

In September, he joined the Tokyo News Agency. As a unit of the Liberal Party, the "Tokyo Shimbun" often suspends publication multiple times due to political factors.

1897 (Meiji 30), 25 years old

In January, he ransomed the body of Yoshiwara geisha Kanemori Ei (23 years old) and married her. His wife is actually Kojima Sakae, the eldest daughter of Kojima Kunishige, the lord of the Ehime Uwajima Domain (Hidemune, the eldest son of Date Masamune).

In 1898 (Meiji 31), 26 years old

The Tokyo Shimbun was disbanded.

At that time, theaters refused to accept plays from outsiders due to censorship, and newspapers and magazines showed little interest in publishing the plays. Although Qitang kept writing, he still accumulated more than 30 works.

In 1900 (Meiji 33), at the age of 28,

In October, he entered the Yamato Newspaper Company and studied under the novelist Tōno Zaikyuu.

1901 (Meiji 34), 29 years old

In August, he resigned from Yamato Newspaper Co., Ltd. due to business difficulties.

In 1902 (Meiji 35), 30 years old

In January, the four-act play "Kin Hoshigashi Takalang" co-written with Oka Kitaro was performed at the Kabuki Theater. This was one of the first The work was staged for the first time, but unfortunately the reviews were very average.

In April, his father Norinosuke passed away at the age of 69. He had worked for the British Legation for 34 years.

1903 (Meiji 36), 31 years old

In January, he was employed by the British Legation to teach Japanese to international students.

In May, he once again worked for Tokyo Nichi Shimbun after 10 years.

1904 (Meiji 37), 32 years old

In July, after the outbreak of the Russo-Japanese War, he went to Manchukuo as a military reporter.

1905 (Meiji 38) 33 years old

In April, drama reporters from various agencies formed a literary drama newcomers association and held a performance at the Kabuki Theater. Okamoto Kitou will participate in the film with his new work "Tianmu Mountain".

1906 (Meiji 39) 34 years old

In June, the Newcomers Association was managed by the Tokyo Mainichi Shimbun and was renamed the Tokyo Mainichi Shimbun Drama Club. For this reason, I transferred from the Tokyo Mainichi Shimbun to work at the Tokyo Mainichi Shimbun and received training to become an actor. The next six performances were all directed and performed by him. His work gradually attracted attention, but he was still not up to standard as an actor.

1908 (Meiji 41), 36 years old

Kawakami Otojiro advocated innovative drama and asked Kitou to create the three-act play "White Tigers", and later added the three-act play "The White Tigers". "Armaged Forces", the six-act new play titled "Before and After the Restoration" was finally released.

In September, "Before and After the Restoration" was performed at the Meiji Theater. It was well received and became his famous work, officially opening the era of "Kitou Zuodanji".

In December, the Tokyo Mainichi Shimbun withdrew from operations, all company employees resigned, and the theater group was disbanded.

1909 (Meiji 42), 37 years old

In January, he completed the play "Furisode Fire Incident".

In March, based on the experience of visiting Izu Shuzenji Temple last fall, I wrote "Shuzenji Monogatari". The script was published in "New Novel" and "Literary Club" and was a great success and received rave reviews. After "Shuzenji Monogatari", Okamoto Kitōka became a representative playwright of new kabuki, and his works were also praised by some as "Kitō Monogatari".

In August, he returned to work at Yamato Newspaper after eight years.

In November, he created the three-act play "Chengjiu Picture Scroll" and began to write scripts specifically for Zuo Danji. Later in the same year, he also wrote scripts for the Meiji Theater including "Taipei Chronicles: The Battle of Ashuba", "Kurofunune", "Sadajin Munehito", and "Murakami Yoshimitsu".

1911 (Meiji 44), 39 years old

In May, "Shuzenji Monogatari" premiered at the Meiji Theater, and the role of King Yasha played by Zuo Danji became famous.

In June, the play "Otsu E-paper" written for Onoe Kikugoro for the first time was performed at the Ichimura Theater and received average reviews.

In September, the first work "Heike Crab" written for Umeyuki Onoe was published.

In October, "Minawa Died for Love" was performed at the Meiji Theater. This is the first time that Qitang has written a worldly drama for Zuo Tuanci.

In 1912 (Meiji 45, Taisho 1st year), 40 years old

In September, he began to write a large number of works for Nakamura Utaemon, including "The Wife of Hosokawa Tadake". Drama.

In December, he suffered from gastrointestinal disease and neurological rheumatism.

1913 (Taisho 2nd year), 41 years old

In September, he visited Sendai, Matsushima, and Jinhua Mountain, and published his travelogue "Sendai Five Color Notes".

In November, he suffered from neurasthenia, insomnia and cerebral anemia.

In December, he resigned from Yamato Newspaper, ending his 24-year journalist career.

There are 12 new plays written this year.

1914 (Taisho 3rd year) 42 years old

In May, the novel "Nisanxiong" was serialized in "Nihon Shimbun". Since then, more and more novels have been serialized in newspapers, and translations and original detective novels and thrillers have also been published in magazines.

In August, I visited my sister and brother-in-law who live in Sukagawa Town, Fukushima Prefecture. On my way back, I stayed at the Isobe Mineral Spring in Joshu for a few days. I also climbed Mount Myogi and visited the Zenkoji Temple in Nagano.

In November, I was troubled by toothache.

This year's works mainly include the worldly drama "Spring Rain", the historical drama "Don't Come to Pass", etc.

In 1915 (Taisho 4th year) at the age of 43

In April, the novel "Me" was serialized (140 chapters) in "Jiji Shinbo".

In August, while on vacation in Isobe, Shangzhou, he wrote the one-act play "Toribeyama Died for Love".

In September, the novel "Birdcage" was serialized in "Jiji Xinbao".

The plays this year include "Supplementary Notes on Nobunaga", "Ogami Itahachi", "Master Noyin", and "Kagekiyo".

In 1916 (the 5th year of Taisho), 44 years old

In May, while on vacation in Isobe, Joshu, he wrote the one-act play "Suicide on the Sumida River".

In June, he started writing "The Banqi Catching Book", the "ancestor of hunting novels".

In July, the novel "Painted Silk" was serialized in "Jiji Xinbao".

In August, the novel "Ink Ran" was serialized in "National Daily".

In November, neurasthenia and insomnia recurred, and creation was suspended.

In December, I went to Kokufutsu Coast for recuperation.

The other plays this year include "Bancho Sarayashiki" and "Alanda Boat".

1917 (Taisho 6th year), 45 years old

In January, the "Literary Club" magazine published the first short story "Awen's Soul" from "Hanseven Catchers" . Afterwards, other works in the series were published, a total of 68 articles, which were well received.

In February, he suffered from cerebral anemia again.

In May, the novel "Natsuju" was serialized in "Fukuoka Daily News".

In June, the novel "Dawn" was serialized in "Wan Chao Bao".

In October, the representative historical novel "Tamazo Mae" was serialized in "Women's Public Review". Started writing the sequel to "Ban Qi Catching Book".

The main works of this year include "Kyo Yuzen", "Cage Fishing Bottle", "Qingzheng Daughter", etc.

1918 (Taisho 7th year) 46 years old

In January, the novel "Dark Line" was serialized in "Tokyo Daily" and "Koyuki" was serialized in "Hochi". While recuperating at Shuzenji Hot Spring, he wrote an essay "Shuzenji in Spring" for "The Yomiuri Shimbun".

In July, the novel "The Shadow of the Doll" was serialized in the "Yomiuri Shimbun".

In September, the novel "The Oath Stone" was serialized in "Wan Chao Bao".

1919 (Taisho 8th year), 47 years old

In February, entrusted by the Imperial Theater, he traveled to the United States, Britain, France and other countries to inspect the development of local drama.

In August, I returned from abroad.

In November, he completed the overseas theater travelogue "The Western Theater World after World War I". The novel "Goose Wings" was serialized in "The Yomiuri Shimbun".

1920 (Taisho 9), 48 years old

In April, the novel "Osakabe Hime" was serialized in "Women's Public Review". The sequel "Banqi Wen Shu Zhang", which consists of 9 short stories, is serialized in "Literary Club". The content is the detective story of Ban Qi's senior police officer.

In September, the novel "Bliss" was serialized in "Wan Chao Bao".

This year, only three dramas including "Osusu Chobei" were released.

1921 (Taisho 10th year), 49 years old

Suffered from influenza in March.

In May, I went to Hakone Dojima hot spring for recuperation.

In October, he participated in the 50th Birthday Celebration Party hosted by the Dramatists Association and held at the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo.

The main plays this year include "Murai Nagaan", "Osaka Castle", "Haihai Comic Master", etc.

1922 (Taisho 11th year) Age 50

In July, his mother Ikuno passed away at the age of 77.

The dramas produced this year include 11 dramas, including "Mikagedo Died for Love", "Hearings of the Southwest War", and "Class".

1923 (Taisho 12th year), 51 years old

In March, I suffered from toothache and had 7 molars extracted.

On September 1, the Great Kanto Earthquake broke out, and all the belongings and books in the Yuanyuan Street home were burned down.

On the 2nd, he fled to the home of Rokufuku Rokuda, who lives in Mejiro Takata Street. A documentary about this experience was published in Women's Public Review.

On October 12, he moved to a temporary apartment at No. 10 Azabu Miyamura Street.

The dramas produced this year include "The Battle of Kumagai" and "Autumn of Two Kingdoms".

1924 (Taisho 13th year), 52 years old

In January, "Hansachi Catching Materials Account" and "Hansachi Wen Shu Account" were selling well, and he was commissioned by Kawaguchi Matsutaro to write a sequel. . Since it was stated during the previous serialization that there were no Hanshichi deeds that could be recorded, I had no choice but to use my acquaintance, Mr. Miura, as the narrator, and serialize the weird tale of the Edo period "Old Man Miura's Past Story" in the magazine "Bitter Joy" that was launched that month.

In March, he moved to No. 301 Okubo Hundred Street outside the city and began to live a suburban life away from the city.

In May, Chunyang Tang published the first volume of "Qitang Opera Collection" (14 volumes in total), including 9 of his representative plays.

In August, gastrointestinal catarrh broke out.

In December, the collection of ghost stories "Frog Hall Ghost Stories" was serialized in the magazine "Bitterness".

1925 (the 14th year of Taisho) at the age of 53

In May, Chunyangtang published the first volume of "Yitang Reading Collection" (a total of 7 volumes).

In June, I moved into my new home, located at No. 1, Kojimachi District 1, outside Hanzomon, Tokyo.

In December, he suffered from cerebral anemia again.

After the earthquake, the writing style changed drastically. The main plays of that year included "The Monk of Nothingness", "Mei and Yubei", "Shinjuku Night Talk", "The Night of Shigure", etc.

In 1926 (the 15th year of Taisho and the first year of Showa), 54 years old

In February, he suffered from influenza and was complicated by otitis media.

In July, stomach cramps continued.

On November 3, the post-earthquake reconstruction project was completed, and he moved back to his "old house" at No. 27, District 1, Motonen-cho.

This year, based on the script of the self-written "Half Seven Catchers", he adapted and created "The Death of Kanhei", "Long Live Mikawa", "Gon San and Suke Ju", "Wind Chime Buckwheat House", etc. The work is performed by Kikugoro. With the rise of Qiaowu drama in Yan, Qitang is regarded as a representative writer of "era and worldly drama".

1927 (Showa 2), 55 years old

In January, "The Supplementary Nobunaga" was translated into Russian and performed at the Drama Theater of Leningrad State University.

In June, "Shuzenji Monogatari" was translated into French and performed at the Champs Elysees Theater in Paris. Later, many works were translated and introduced abroad.

In this year, the newly written "The Story of the Peony Lantern", "Masaki II", "Mizuno Jurozaemon", "Mr. Kim of Soma", "The Revenge of the Chief", etc. became his later works. representative works.

1929 (Showa 4th year), 57 years old

In January, he gradually felt that his body was old and weak, so he went to Yugawara to recuperate.

In February, transfer to Atami again.

In June, the translated version "Collection of Masterpieces of Strange Tales from the World" was published by the Transformation Society. Historical dramas "Joseon Screen" and "History of Cheonbo Theater" were published.

1930 (Showa 5), ??58 years old

In January, the opera fanzine "Stage", which gathered new writers, was founded. He served as script editor and art director. Many new writers have Out of his hand.

The plays this year include "Naosuke Gonbei", "Araki Mataemon", etc.

1931 (Showa 6), 59 years old

Suffered from neurasthenia, insomnia, cerebral anemia, otitis media, toothache, throat mucositis, stomatitis, neuralgia, and stomach cramps He was troubled by various old problems such as kidney pain and kidney pain, and his creativity dropped sharply.

1932 (Showa 7), 60 years old

In October, a celebration party was held to celebrate the 60th anniversary, and a haiku collection "Solo Yin" commemorating the 60th anniversary was distributed.

The villa in Kamimeguro was completed. In May of the following year, he moved out of the old house and moved into the new house.

In 1934 (Showa 9) at the age of 62

In April, the collection of essays "Cat Willow" was published.

Complete the plays "The Morning of the First Day" and "Suga Prime Minister".

Published the first radio drama script "Half Hour in the Painting and Calligraphy Shop".

1935 (Showa 10), 63 years old

The essay collection "Under the Oil Lamp" and the translated book "Chinese Weird Novels" were published.

Complete the plays "Kawamura Zuiken" and "Hata Sui Dean Hebei".

In 1936 (Showa 11), at the age of 64,

Completed the plays "The Death of Nagasaki Hojo" and "Shadow".

1937 (Showa 12), 65 years old

In June, he became a member of the first Japan Art Academy.

Suffered from the difficulties of drama creation during wartime.

1938 (Showa 13), 66 years old

After catching a cold, he often suffered from loss of appetite and insomnia, and bronchitis and heart failure were sometimes complicated.

In June, I moved to Hakone for recuperation. This was Kitou’s last trip.

In September, the essay "Meguro's Temple" was published in "Tanka Research". This is his last surviving manuscript.

Complete the 130-page play "Chongzen Temple Racecourse".

In December, he suffered hearing loss, sensory system failure, and gradually entered a terminal state.

1939 (Showa 14), 67 years old

On March 1, he died of pneumonia at his home in Meguro. He was buried in Qingshan Cemetery. His adopted son Keiichi Okamoto founded the publishing house "Frog House" in order to preserve Kitou's works. The current president, Okamoto Shuichi, is Kitou's grandson.