Shoji Kokami
Shoji Kokami
Born in Ehime Prefecture, Kokami was one of the standard bearers of the Shogekijo boom of the eighties. In 1981 he formed the theater group Daisan Butai, which gained popularity with their playful works and ability to capture the feel of the times. In his well-known work Asahi no yo na yuhi o tsurete (With a Sunset Like the Morning Sun), the men waiting for Godot play with some men who are developing the ultimate game. He won the 1995 Kishida Drama Award for Sunafukin no tegami (Snufkin’s Letter). Kokami is currently focusing on writing and directing for his new troupe Kyoko no Gekidan, made up of young actors, and his production company Kokami@network. As well as staging plays, he is also involved in a wide range of activities including writing essays and books on theater, appearing on radio and TV, and directing movies. In June 2007, an English version of his play Trance was staged in London with an all-British cast. Kokami is a member of the selection committee for the Kishida Drama Awards.
