Is this a victory? Or a defeat? A play you must see now... "The Rotating Cornerstone," the clash of powers surrounding the Constitution of Japan.

Guided by my friend Yui Komazuka, I went to see "The Rotating Cornerstone" at Za-Koenji.
The work depicts the figures of post-war Japanese politicians, with former Prime Minister Shigeru Yoshida as the protagonist.

Before watching the play, I had assumed it would be a
battle of wits and deception played out over the Constitution.

But that expectation was betrayed in a most refreshing way.

What is depicted on this stage is
a clash of "power" against "power."

The raw, pungent maneuvering of face and profit that politics inherently contains,
and the power balance between human beings unfolds on stage.

The men are tossed about by external pressures, shouting at each other, worrying,
and suffering helplessly between ideals and reality.

This work could also be called a "group dance" by the monsters of the Showa era,
such as Shigeru Yoshida, Ichiro Hatoyama, Nobusuke Kishi, Eisaku Sato, and Kakuei Tanaka.

Because of this, the struggle of the actors in building their roles is palpable.

They must not simply mimic, nor can their impressions be too far removed.
Since these were real politicians, the construction of the play must have been a source of great concern.

Since it was still the opening day,
there was a slight sense of them "trying to be that person,"
but it was easy to imagine that such things would soon smooth out.

The "raw pungency of face and profit," which is a universality of human beings,
not just politicians, will surely be brought out within the "group dance."
as it progresses.

It might be interesting to compare how the actors' performances change
between the first and second half of the run.

On the other hand, the portrayal of women is contrasting.
Women who awaken to politics through women's suffrage.
Women who quit politics to align with their husbands.
Women who prod and push politicians who act like little boys.

They never become a group dance; instead, their personal
ways of life, the conflicts of their choices, and their strength are depicted.

I remembered the phrase, "What has become stronger after the war..."

*From here on, there will be some spoilers,
so if you wish to see the stage with a pure heart,
please read this at a later date.

Now, there is another reason why I called this stage a "group dance."

It is the title, "The Rotating Cornerstone."

The exchanges between politicians over the Constitution, which was to become the cornerstone of post-war Japan,
take place on a rotating stage with the texture of rock.

Moreover, the fact that the stage, carrying the assembly members engaged in heated debate, is
rotated not by stagehands, but by actors playing U.S. military MPs, is
truly symbolic and significant.
If it were stagehands, it would turn into a piece of political party propaganda theater.

In addition, fine details are incorporated into the production, such as the fact that only the ashtray on the Socialist Party member's desk is small,
and the opening remarks are delivered in the style of an election speech.
It would be fun to look for those details as well.

Finally, I would also like you to pay attention to the leaflet you receive upon entry.

It includes a comparison table between the Constitution of the Empire of Japan and the Constitution of Japan.
Looking at this makes you realize
how blessed we are to be under our current Constitution.

Someday, I would like to see the intense back-and-forth negotiations with the American side as well.

JACROW #31 "The Rotating Cornerstone" at Za-Koenji 1,
until Thursday, November 11, 2021.

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#YuiKomazuka #TakayaSato #ShuheiTsuda #KentaTsuchihashi #HidekiNakano #RyuzoHayashi #TetsutaYoshida #TheaterReview