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OUTLINES
The Theatre Musetm is devoted entirely to the study of the history of drama, and offers excellent facilities for fostering the theatrical cultures of the world. Professor Tsubouchi Shoyo, who was associated with Waseda University for more than forty years, had long cherished the hope of building on its campus a museum dedicated to the theatre arts. This dream became reality when his friends and admirers planned the Tsubouchi Memorial Theatre Museum in recognition of his many achievements. The institution was formally opened in 1928, the year he completed a translation of the complete works of Shakespeare. The museum was modelled after the Forhne Theatre of Elizabethan England, and approximates the original in both exterior design and interior construction. A large collection of literature, prints, and other objects related to drama and theatre arts were gathered from all parts of the world for the purpose of the comparative study of the theatres of the world. These materials are made accessible to the public through various exhibitions held from time to time. The library is also open to the public.
THE BUILDING AND COLLECTIONS
The Museum is a reinforced concrete building with a total floor space of approximately 1,500m2. At the suggestion of Dr. Tsubouchi, it was modeled on the Fortune Theatre of Elizabethan England, and approximates the original in both exterior design and interior construction, so far as is consistent with its function as a museum. The central part of the front of the building represents the stage, where Shakespeare's plays were performed several times, while the wings, with their three tiers of windows, are the galleries. Thus, not only the materials it houses, but the Museum building itself is an object for study. The principal permanent exhibits are related to the Japanese stage arts. About half of the tatal floor space is utilized in presenting models of stages, portraits of actors, texts, properties, and musical instruments illustrating the development of the Japanese theatre arts. Of the remaining area, part is used for temporary exhibits of stage plans and model stages, manuscripts of famous playwrights, autographs and other objects connected with actors of the past, various costumes, colored wood-block prints and other materials. Space is also given to the display of the materials related to the work of Shakespeare. These materials, together with the Museum's Library and Reading Room, offer excellent facilities for the comparative study of the theatres of the world. Professor Tsubouchi's library and his collection of theatre art objects, together with some of his personal effects, were donated to the Museum by his family after his death on 28 February,1935. Various kinds of materials donated by dramatists, actors and theatrical organizations, and acquisitions purchased with Museum funds continue to expand the Museum's collections. These materials are made accessible to the public through the various exhibitions held from time to time. The library, including its many volumes of out-of -print books, is also open to the public.
