Poulton (Japanese literature and theater, U. of Victoria, Canada) argues that there was an essentially anti-theatrical elements to the modernization of Japanese culture during the period,
though drama enjoyed a surge as a literary genre. After setting the context of Meiji drama theory before Ibsen, he traces the rise of modern drama 1909-24 then describes the scene after the
quake by presenting nine scripts in English translation. Among them are The Boxwood Comb by Okada Yachiyo, Father Returns by Kikuchi Kan, The Skeleton's Dance by Akita Ujaku, Two Men at Play
with Life by Kishida Kunio, and Mama by Tanaka Chikao. Annotation 穢2010 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
