KAWAKAMI OTOJIRO

Kawakami Otojiro, given name Otokichi, was a Japanese political activist, actor, theater impresario, and comedian. He was born in Hakata, Kyushu, and made his public name as a “hooligan” (soshi) performing ballads and chants for the Freedom and People’s Rights Movement. His signature song from this period, “Oppekepe,” satirized the wealthy Meiji oligarchy and underscored the plight of the poor. He studied for a time to be a professional storyteller in the yose, married former geisha Sadayakko, and together formed a theatrical troupe that toured the United States and Europe at the turn of the 20th century and was seen by a number of American and European artists and musicians caught up in the tide of japonisme. Upon returning to Japan, Kawakami staged several Western plays in Tokyo and opened a school for actresses. He collapsed and died in midperformance at age 47.

See also MODERN THEATER; THEATER REFORM.