Renowned playwright and critic Masakazu Yamazaki presented his unique wide-reaching view of civilization and led the nation's fourth estate.
Yamazaki passed away on Aug. 19 at the age of 86. His activities extended across many fields, beginning with theatrical arts and expanding to literature, history, society and education. Yamazaki, who preached the importance of sociability, was a debater with backbone and was loved by many people from various fields for his cheerful character.
Born in Kyoto, Yamazaki started writing plays as a student at the Kyoto University graduate school. After receiving the Kishida drama prize for "Zeami" in 1963, he started his career as a literary and social critic and developed his own views about civilization.
His intellectual criticism of society and civilization from his own point of view created a stir every time he released his work. The 1984 "Yawarakai Kojinshugi no Tanjo" (Birth of Soft Individualism) and the 2003 "Shako Suru Ningen" (People who socialize) discussed the importance of connecting with people while maintaining a good distance.
Yamazaki's achievements as a bridge between academia and journalism are also significant. He put a spotlight on interdisciplinary studies and played a central role in the studies at the Suntory Foundation, which was established in 1979 to promote scholarship, arts and culture.
When the Hyogo Prefecture-run modern art theater was established in 1991, Yamazaki served as an artistic director and launched a Hyogo theatrical art project. Just six months after the 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake, he presented an ensemble cast drama called "Ghetto" in quake-hit Kobe, where a post-quake mood of self-restraint still loomed over the populace. The play depicted persecuted Jewish people engaged in music and theater.
Tamiya Kuriyama, who directed the play, said: "He cast actors who lost their homes due to the quake and invited in people hit by the disaster free of charge, calling out to them with the motto, 'Let's stand up with theatrical plays.' He really loved the theater and kept saying, 'Art is necessary for human beings.'"
Japan International Cooperation Agency President Shinichi Kitaoka described Yamazaki as "one of the greatest postwar intellectuals."
"He was independent and had no inferiority complex toward America. He had influence over many administrations from the time of [Prime Minister Eisaku] Sato's Cabinet," Kitaoka said. "There actually was a plan to hold discussions about the post-coronavirus world, and he told me, 'I'd love to do that.' It's so unfortunate that it could not be realized."
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