Tokyo’s Bunkaza Theatre Company is bringing One Thousand Cranes to the Victoria as part of a Western Canada tour in February which includes stops in Vancouver to coincide with the UBC Museum of Anthropology’s exhibition on Hiroshima. Toyoshi Yoshihara translated One Thousand Cranes from English to Japanese and is organising the production’s Canada tour. He has translated more than 30 Canadian plays into Japanese and received an honorary doctorate from McMaster University in recognition of his efforts to introduce Canadian theatre to Japan. He also produced the tour for the Fringe show High Life by Ryuzanji Company from a few years ago. He talks to Sammie Gough about this enduring story that transcends geographical boundaries and why he’s bringing the show ‘home’ to Canada.
What was it that attracted you to the One Thousand Cranes story?
Because it is a beautiful story with a strong anti-war message.
What prompted you to bring the play on tour to Canada in 2012?
As you know “One Thousand Cranes” was written by Colin Thomas, a Vancouverite, and premiered by Green Thumb Theatre of Vancouver. I wanted to have the play make a sort of home-coming to its birthplace.
What is it that makes Sadako Sasaki’s story relevant to today’s audiences?
Despite the public cry against it, nuclear armament and nuclear power generation have not been abolished yet. I do hope “One Thousand Cranes” reminds people of potential disaster the nuclear armament and/or power generation might bring about.
Is One Thousand Cranes a production that audiences of all ages will appreciate?
Yes, the show is for all ages. In Japan 70% of the audience was grown-ups on an average except when the show is presented in schools.
One Thousand Cranes is a sad story in some ways, but do you think it ultimately has a hopeful message?
Yes, it has a very positive and hopeful message. After all Buddy, the Canadian boy, decides to take part in the peace march and Sadako’s friends decides to erect a peace monument in memory of Sadako.
What experiences have you had in the past bringing a Japanese-speaking cast to Canada on tour?
In the past I invited two Japanese shows to Victoria. Both times the artists billeted at private homes and beautiful, long-lasting friendship developed between the host families and artists. Some of them are exchanging letters and Christmas greetings over the years. A girl even married with an artist and now lives in Japan with a kid between them.
You’ve translated over 30 Canadian plays to Japanese, why do you think it is important to create cultural connections between disparate countries through theatre and literature?
I came to Canada in 1970 as a businessman. My business thrived thanks to the help, cooperation and patronage Canadian people accorded me. I wanted to do something in reciprocation and started introducing Canadian theatre to Japanese theatre practitioners and audiences. Up until that time, no Japanese knew Canada had such an excellent theatre of high artistic quality.
One Thousand Cranes is on at the Metro Studio on Thurs Feb 16 and Fri Feb 17 at 8pm. Tickets are $18/23/31 (student + senior/adult/arts karma) and can be purchased through Ticket Rocket online or by phone (250 590 6291, W-S, 2 -6pm).
