Terayama Shuji(寺山修司)’s Chronological History
1935. Terayama Shuji was born on 12.10.1935 in Hirosaki city (弘前市)of Aomori prefecture（青森県）. His Father, Hachiro（八郎）, and his mother, Hatu（ハツ）. He was the eldest son. His Father was a police man. (But in a family register, his birthday was on 10th January 1936. His parents reported it one month later, after he was born.)
1941(5 years old) Terayama’s father went to war. His mother and son saw off his father in Aomori station.
1942 (6 years old)Terayama enter in Hashimoto elementary school（橋本小学校） of Aomori city.
1945 (9 years old) Aomori city was attacked from the air. His mother and Shuji were lost their house in a fire. After the war, Terayama’s mother and himself moved to his uncle; Terayama Yoshihito’s（義人） restaurant in Misawa city（三沢市）. Terayama admitted to Komagi elementary school （古間木小学校）there. His father died of a disease was in Serebes Island （セレベス島）of Southern area on September 2th. His mother, Hatsu worked as the maid in Base-camp of American Army.
1946 (10 years old) Terayama and his mother moved to a new house on sale of American Army. Terayama often cooked for himself, as his mother was absent.
1948(12 years old) Terayama entered in Komagi junior high school, but was converted to Nowaki middle high school（野脇中学校） of Aomori city. Shuji moved to the house of his uncle Sakamoto Yuzo （坂本勇三）who managed “Kabukiza” cinema theatre（「歌舞伎座」映画館）. His mother left Misawa city, and went to American army’s camp at Asiya-cho（芦屋町）, Toga-gun（遠賀郡）, Fukuoka-prefecture（福岡県）in Kyushyu（九州） to work. Terayama worked as the director of department of arts and literature（文藝部） at the age of Junior High School. And he had published fairy tales, the poetry, “haiku（俳句）”Japanese poem in 5-7-5 sylables at school newspapers（学校新聞） and class journal（学級雑誌）. He liked novelists; Natsume Soseki（夏目漱石）, Akutagawa Ryunosuke（芥川龍之介） Edogawa Ranpo（江戸川乱歩） and Yoshikawa Eiji（吉川英治）. He joined the society of ‘Giants-no-kai（ジャイアンツの会）of the baseball,’ and saw the perfect game（完全試合） by Fugimoto Hideo（藤本英雄）(Yomiuri Giants team) in the baseball studium of Aomori city.
1951(15 years old) Terayama entered into Prefectural Aomori High School. He joined School Newspapers, and belonged to the club of department of literature（文学部）. He published poetry, “Black Cat「黒猫」”, and “Mother died「母逝く」”; tanka（短歌）; Japanese poem at “Touou Nippou”（東奥日報） news papers. He attended to the meeting of haiku; of “Danchou”（「暖鳥」句会）.
1952(16 years old) He organised the meeting of the departments on literature of High schools in Aomori prefecture（青森県高校文学部会議）. He edited and pubulished poetry journal “Roses of Fishes「魚類の薔薇」.” He founded “The Pan「牧羊神」” High Tenns’ poems of magazine”「10代の俳句誌」all over the country, and edited it. He got aquentited with Nakamura Sadao（中村草田男）, Seito Sanki,（西東三鬼） and Yamaguchi Seisi （山口誓子）through creating poetrys. He produced his chosen poetrys「自選句集」, “Beni-Gani「べにがに」.” He wrote to “Touou Nippou news papers,” “Yomiuri Bungei「よみうり文藝」,” “Light of Learning「学燈」,” “Age of Firefly Snow「蛍雪時代」,” “Ice Sea「氷海」,” “Seven days of the week「七曜」” and so on.
1953(17 years old) Terayama organized the meeting of Student’s haiku in all Japan（全国学生俳句会議）. He held the great meeting of “haiku（俳句大会）.” He read “Galaxy as before 「銀河依然」” by Nakamura Kusadao, “Firing Cheeks「火の頬」” by Radiguet（ラディゲ）. He produced “RomanFlight「浪漫飛行」.” He liked to tee Daiei’s Films（大映映画）of series on story of maternal affection.（母物）
1954 (18 years old) Terayama entered in Japanese literature of Educational department of Waseda University（早稲田大学教育学部国語国文学科）. He lodged with his uncle at the house of Sakamoto Toyoji（坂本豊治） in Kawaguchi city（川口市） of Saitama prefecture（埼玉県）. He read “Decline of Western（西洋の没落）” by Shupengler（シュペングラー）. He traveled Nara area（奈良）, and visited Hashimoto Takako（橋本多佳子）, and Yamaguchi Seishi. He attended “VOU” by Kitazono Katuei（北園克衛）, and “Waste Land（荒野）” of coterie magazine（同人誌） of tanka. He got award of new face（新人賞） of “tanka study（短歌研究）” at secand times （第2回）about “Chechov Festival「チェホフ祭」.” People criticized him on imitation problems that Terayama took from haiku the other made. His mother, Hatsu got the job of maid in the Tachikawa base（立川基地）.Terayama entered in Kono hospital（河野病院） of the Tachikawa city（立川市） for liver inflammation（混合性肝臓炎）.
1955 (19 years old) Terayama left the hospital after two months. He moved to Ishikawa c/o Takada Minami-cho Shinjyuku-ku（新宿区高田南町の石川方）. He often associated with Yamada Taichi（山田太一） (in those days a student, in futureTV dramatist). Terayama’s desease recurred. He entered in Social Helth Center hospital（社会保険中央病院） of Shinjyuku-ku owing to Nephrosis. At the hospital, Terayama formed a friendship with an art student, Natsumi（夏美）. He organized the group of poetic drama “Beard of Glass「ガラスの髭」,” and wrote anthology; “Lost Sphere「失われた領分」.” His desiease took a turn for the worse. And at last, it follows that the doctor ordered coompleted bed rest.
1956(20 years old) “All Interview Declined” continued. Terayama read ducuments on Spain city war, Lautramont’s poetry, works of F.Kafka, G. Bataille, and Izumi Kyouka (泉鏡花) and so on.
1957(21 years old) Terayama published the first poetic works; “Give me May 「われに五月を」.” He went on to compose poetry in a state of remission.
1958(22 years old) Terayama pubulished his first collected poems “Book on a Sky「空には本」” in June. He left the hospital on July 7. He went back his home town; Aomori for a moment. He came back to Tokyo, and took a room at “Sachi-so（幸荘）” of Suwa-cho（諏訪町） in Shinjyku-ku. He worked as a person on phone duty at a bookmaker, and dealer. He got absorbed in gamble and boxing. He was moved to Never Come Morning (1942) by Nelson Algren.
1959 (23 yeard old) Terayama began to write radio drama on the advice of a poet; Tanikawa Shuntaro（谷川俊太郎）. He wrote “Jiono「ジオノ」”, and received the prize of president of commercial broadcasting （民放会長賞）for “Nakamura Ichiro「中村一郎」.” And he wrote the first scenario; “the blues of 19 years old「十九歳のブルース」.”
1960 (24 years old) The radio drama “Adult hunting「大人狩」” caused trouble as agitation of violence and revolution, and Terayama was examined by the public safety commission（公安）. “Standing Blood is Sleeping「血は立ったまま眠っている」” was prodused by theater group; “Four Seasons（四季）.” Terayama directed the experimental film of “ Catlogy「猫学」.” He often dropped into those tearooms of “Ki-yo（きーよ）” and “Yacht（ヨット）.” He always read Langston Hughes’s poetry. He met the talented dancer, Hijikata Tatsumi（土方巽）, and produced “False Rimbaud’s Autobiography「贋ランボー伝」,” “Pithecanthrous erectus「直立原人」.” Terayama wrote the scenario “Thirsty Lake「乾いた湖）” directed by Shinoda Masahiro（篠田正浩）. Terayama met the actress Kujyo Eiko（九條映子） of Syochiku film company（松竹映画会社）. He participated in “the Meeting of Young Japan「若い日本の会」”. He published a novel, “Human Laboratory「人間実験室」” in the magazine; “Literature’s World「文学界」.” He wrote the TV Drama “Q.” He left Waseda University in September.
1961(25 years old) Terayama got acquainted with the professional boxer, Fighting Harad（ファイテイング原田）. Terayama began to write the essay of boxing. He wrote “The Midnight Sun「白夜」” for a studio production of Bungakuza Theater（文学座アトリエ公演）. Terayama moved to the apartment of a single house at Samon-cho（左門町） of Shinjyuku-ku, and lived with his mother. He published serially the long epic “Ri-Kou-Jyun「李庚順」”in the journal of “The Modern Poetry「現代詩」.”
1962(26 years old) Terayama wrote the broadcasting epic drama“Awe-Mountain「恐山」,” the TV drama “One Head「一匹」.” He met Kara Jyuro （唐十郎）(playwrite, actor) there. He published the second collected poems, “Blood and Wheat「血と麦」.” He published serially “Encouragement of Runaways「家出のすすめ」” in the magazine of “Student Times「スチューデント・タイムズ」.”
1963(27 years old) Terayama got married to Kujyou-Eiko (Kyoko, actress.) Terayama moved to Izumi-cho of Suginami-ku（杉並区和泉町）, and lived apart from his mother, Hatsu. He published serially the long epic “Hell Canto「地獄篇」.” He worked as a personality at the program “Dina-Mic「ダイナ・マイク」” in the broadcasting documentary. He often went to horse racing.
1964(28 years old) Terayama pubulished Mask play, “A Study of Vampire「吸血鬼の研究」.” He organized the society of ‘Young Poets’ with Tukamoto Kunio（塚本邦男） and Okai Takashi（岡井隆）. He got an Italy prize for broadcasting poetic drama, “mountain old woman「山姥」.” He also got ‘The Art Festival promotion prize’ for broadcasting poetic drama, “A Court Dress「大礼服」.”
1965(29 years old) Terayama got first Kubota Mantarou prize（久保田万太郎賞） for “Dog Goddess「犬神の女」.” He published serially a novel, “Oh! Waste Land「ああ、荒野」” in the journal of “Modern Eye「現代の眼」,” and the book of fantastic travels; “Unlucky Year「魔の年」” in the journal of “Artistic Life「芸術生活」.” He pubulished third anthology “Death in the Country「田園の死」,” and an essay on poetry of “Poems after War「戦後詩」.” He moved to Shimouma of Setagaya-ku（世田谷区下馬）. He got Art Festival prize in a program of TV interview of “You....「あなた・・・」”
1966(30 years old) Terayama got Grand prix of Italy Prize on broadcasting epic; “Comet Ikeya「コメット・イケヤ」.” He published serially the essay, “There is a battlefield in the town「街に戦場あり」” in the journal of “Asahi Graph「アサヒグラフ」,” the essay, “Legend of Giants「巨人伝説」” in the journal of “Art Life「芸術生活」,” and the essay of “Arabian Nights in Picture Book「絵本千一夜物語」” in the journal of “Feature Articles on Talk「話の特集」.” Terayama got Art Festival prize, and Broadcasting Press Club prize on Broadcasting Documentary of “Good Morning India「おはようインディア」,” and Art Festival promotion prize of TV drama of “The Origin of A Lullaby「子守唄由来」.” Human-Theatre「人間座」 produced Terayama’s drama of “Adam and Eve, My Criminology.「アダムとイヴ、私の犯罪学」”
1967(31 years old) Terayama traveled France, Gana, and America with film director; Matsumoto Toshio（松本俊夫） to write comments about film of “Mothers「母たち」” (Grand prix in the short works section of Venetian Film Festival). Terayama organized Drama Experimental Room “The Gallery「天井棧敷」” with Yokoo Tadanori（横尾忠則）, Higashi Yutaka（東由多加）, and Kujyou Eiko（九條映子）. They produced “A Humpbacked Man in Aomori Prefecture「青森県のせむし男」,” “Criminal of Miss Ooyama Debuko「大山デブコの犯罪」,” and “Marie in Fur「毛皮のマリー」,” one after another. Terayama got The Art Festival Prize of “A Mandala「まんだら」.” He moved his workroom to ‘Matsukaze-So’（松風荘） at Udagawa-cho（宇田川町） of Shibuya-ku.
1968 (32 years old) Terayama pubulished serially the essay of “Language as a Violence「暴力としての言語」,” in the journal of “Notebook of Modern Poetry「現代詩手帖」,” the essay of “On Happiness「幸福論」” in the journal of “Science of Thought「思想の科学」.” Terayama produced the dramas “Bluebeard「青ひげ」,” “Cast Away the Books, Go to the Town 「書を捨てよ町へ出よう」,” and so on. Terayama went on a trip to USA to study a situation of America avant-garde dramas. He wrote a scenario of film “First Love; Canto Hell「初恋・地獄篇」” directed by Hani Susumu（羽仁進）. He got The Art Festival promotion prize on Broadcasting poetical drama of “Wolf’s Boy「狼少年」.” Terayama became a master of a race-horse “Ulysses.”
1969(33 years old) Terayama wrote a reportage of “Strife in Tokyo University「東大闘争」” in the journal of “Sunday Everyday(サンデー毎日).” Theatre Gallery was completed in Shibuya. Terayama lived aprt from Kujyo Eiko. Terayama moved to an apartment of “Matsukaze-so（松風荘）.” Terayama produced the drama of “The Age Riding on the Elephant in Circus「時代はサーカスの象にのって」.” A Song “Sometimes, As Child who lost his mother「時には母のない子のように」” which Kalumen Maki（カルメン・マキ） sang was a record-breaking hit. In German, Terayama produced “Mari in Fur” and “Dog’s Goddess「犬神」” at International Drama Festival. Terayama published Drama Theoretical Journal（演劇理論誌） of “Underground Theatre「地下演劇」,” and edited it. Nelson Orgren came to Japan. Terayama guided him to horse-race and boxing ring. He traveled Israel to learn their theatre situation. He directed his dramas of “Marie in Fur,” and “The Age Riding Elephant in Cercus” by only German actors in Essen city theatre. Terayama was locked up with a confused struggle against Situation Theatre 「状況劇場」. Terayama published “Dramas by Terayama Shuji（寺山修司の戯曲）.”
1970(34 years old) Terayama produced the dramas “Crime by Dr. Garigari「ガリガリ博士の犯罪」,” and “A fantastic Airplane Solomon flying by human power「人力飛行機ソロモン」.” He produced the experimental film of “Tomato Ketchup Emperor「トマトケチャップ皇帝」.” Terayama had an interview with Mishima Yukio（三島由紀夫） sponsored by “Ushio「潮」” publisher. Terayama was examined by the police about the background of accident of skyjacked by Sekigun sects（赤軍派） (radical political movements.) Terayama composed the lyric “Seagull” sung by Asakawa Maki（浅川マキ）. Terayama directed the drama of “Marie in Fur” at La Mama theatre「ラ・ママ劇場」 in New Nork by American playerts. Terayama lived with Nelson in Chicago for a few days. Terayama divorced Kujyo Eiko. Terayama conducted a funeral of the boxer Rikiishi Toru（力石徹） of “Joe of Tomorrow「あしたのジョー」” as the chief mourner. Terayama was elected as best ten of “Boss in heart in Japan（日本のココロのボス10人） in the journal of ‘Weekly Magazine Asahi「週間朝日」’.” Terayma’s novel “Oh Waste Land” was translated in German. Terayama published serially the novel “Boaster Baron「ほらふき男爵」” in the newspapers of “Yukan Fuji「夕刊フジ」.”
1971(35 years old) Terayama directed the film of “Throw away the book, Go out to the Town” (grand prix of film festival in San Leo.) Terayama published serially the essay of “Human History that thinks Human Being「人間を考えた人間の歴史」” in the journal of “Weekly Magazine Shincho「週刊新潮」.” Terayama produced the dramas of “The Evil Faith「邪宗門」,” and “Jinriki Airplne Solomon” in the drama festival in Nancy. He also produced them in Paris, Amsterdam, and Sonzbiek. Terayama recited his poetry in International Poets Festival in Lotterdam. Terayama met Le Clzio and talked each other for two days. Terayama produced “The Evil Faith,” in International Drama Festival Beoguraud and got the grand prix.
1972(36 years old) Terayama produced “Jyasyumon (The Evil Faith)” in Shibuya Public Hall (渋谷公会堂). Terayama produced the drama of “Run Merosu 「走れメロス」” in Art Festival of Mnchen Olympic. He produced the drama of “Jasyumon (The Evil Faith)” in Denmark, and the drama of “An Opium War「阿片戦争」” in Holland.
1973(37 years old) Terayama attended The Art Festival in Perusepolice Silarze, and produced the drama of “The Origin of Blood in a Family「ある家族の血の起源」.” He produced the drama of “The Blind’s Letters「盲人書簡」” in the drama festival in Poland. He published serially the essay of “Drama as Sorcery「呪術としての演劇」” in the Journal of “New Drama「新劇」,” and the essay of “Flower Bride, Disguised Bird（花嫁化鳥）” in the Journal of the “Travel「旅」.”
1974 (38 years old) Terayama held Exhibition of “The Feature Article on Terayama Shuji「寺山修司特集」” at Culture Center in Aten Franc. He held exhibition of “Terayama Shuji Fantasｔic Photograph Palace「寺山修司・幻想写真館」” at the gallery of Watari「ギャルリ・ワタリ」. He got Art Festival Promotion New Face Prize for film of “Death in the Country.” He produced Experimental Film of “Rola「ローラ」,” and “Memoirs of Butterfly Costume「蝶服記」.” He attended International Drama Symposium, and had a discussion with P. Brook, and A. Muishukin.
1975(39 years old) Terayama produced street play of “Knock「ノック」.” Policeman intervened in the production. He showed film of “Death in the Country” to Film Festival of Cannes. He produced the dramas of “A Journal of the Plague Year「疫病流行記」” in the cities of Holland and West Germany. He went to “The Feature Article on Terayama Shuji「寺山修司特集」” in Film Festival in Edinburgh. He got Silver prize of Experiment Film in Overhauzen for experimental film of “A Tale of A Maze「迷宮譚」.” He published serially the essay of “Life of Back Street in Sport Edition「スポーツ版裏町人生」” in the journal of “Novel in Question「問題小説」.”
1976(40 years old) Terayama produced the drama of Revision of “A Journal of the Plague Year” in Tokyo. He held an exhibition of “Terayama Shuji, Europe of Mirror Country「寺山修司、鏡の国のヨーロッパ展」.” He produced the drama of “Ship of Fool「阿呆船」” in Tokyo and in Iran. He got the Judge Special prizes in the Film Festivals of Bath in Bergean, and Benalmadena in Spain. Terayama published serially fairy tale of “A Story shut by Red Thread「赤糸で縫い閉じられた物語」” in the journal of “Paper Moon「ペーパームーン」.” “Gallery Theatre” in Shibuya was closed. The New “Gallery” was opened in Moto-Azabu（元麻布）.
1977(41 years old) Terayama held “Exhibition of The Thousand and One Nights; the Arabian Night’s Entertainments by Terayama Shuji「寺山修司の千一夜アラビアンナイト展」.” Terayama wrote and directed the drama of “Strange Public Officer in China「中国の不思議な役人」.” He directed the film of “Boxer「ボクサー」.” He got Reele’s International short film festival critic great prize for experimental film of “Les Chants de Maldoror「マルドロールの歌」.” He completed experimental film of “An Eraser 「消しゴム」” and “A Woman of Two Heads- Shadow Film「二頭女―影の映画」.” Terayama published “Feature Articles on Complete Experiment Films of Terayama Shuji「寺山修司全特集」.” Terayama went round in Amusterdam with Fantastic Photo Exhibition of Terayama Shuji「寺山修司幻想写真展」.
1978(42 years old) Terayama held the exhibition of “Pandora’s box in Europe by Terayama Shuji「寺山修司のヨーロッパ・パンドラの匣展」.” Terayama went round cities in Holland, Belgium, West Germany with “Direction to Servants「奴婢訓」.” Terayama produced the dramas of “Shin-toku-maru「身毒丸」” and “A Seat in the Audience「観客席」.” Terayama coached people at Photo Workshop in Aｌule’s International Photographer Festival. He produced the drama of “Direction to Servants” in Tokyo. He wrote scenario of “Grassy Maze「草迷宮」” of one part of French Omnibus. He published serially the essay of “Deformed Symbolism「奇形のシンボリズム」” in the journal of “New Play「新劇」.”
1979(43 years old) Terayama produced the play of “Leming- Should you bring me to the end of the world?「レミング―世界の涯まで連れてって」.” Terayama produced the drama of “Direction to Servants” in Sporete’s Art Festival in Italy. He went round the cities of Florence, Torino, and Pisa. Terayama showed his all films, and commented on them in California Universty. He wrote the drama of “Bluebeard’s Castle,” and directed it. He entered an attached hospital of Kitasato Universty （北里大学付属病院）for cirrhosis of the liver.
1980(44 years old) Terayama was elected as the first prize in both section of best play, and section of playwrite and director in two times for two years. He produced the play of “Direction to Servants” in South Carolina and New York. He got the 1980’s highest award foreign drama prize in the Newspapers of “Villagers「ヴィレッジャー紙」.” Terayama wrote the drama and directed French film of “Shanhai Alien Prostitute Mansion「上海異人娼館」.”
1981(45 years old) Terayam entered an attached hospital of Kitasato Universty for cirrhosis of the liver for a month. He produced the drama of “One Hundred Years’ Solitude（百年の孤独）.” He produced the drama 1980’s version of “A Seat in the Audience「観客席」.” While he collected data on “A Lane「路地」,” making a plan to publish in book form, He was arrested in the private alley.
1982(46 years old) Terayama went on location in Okinawa island（沖縄島） for “Good bye Ark「さらば箱舟」.” Terayama attended Toga’s International Festival（利賀国際演劇フェスティバル） with “Direction to Servants.” He published the poetry of “My Dear Old Home 「懐かしのわが家」” in “Asahi Newspapers「朝日新聞」” in September. He produced the drama of “Direction to Servants” in Paris. He directed “Leming- Should you bring me to the end of the world?” in December. He published he got eternal disease in “Broacasting Newspapers「報知新聞」.” He began to exchange video tape’s letter with Tanigawa Syuntaro. He completed the film of “Good-bye, Ark,” but couldn’t publish it.
1983(47 years old) Terayama published last essay of “How mile is it to the graveyard? 「墓場まで何マイル？」” in the Journal of “Weekly Yomiuri 「週刊読売」” magazine. He became unconscious in a coma on May 22. He entered all round hospital of Kawakita（河北総合病院）in Suginami-ku（杉並区）. He was complicated by cirrhosis of the liver and blood poisoning for peritonitis, and was dead at the hospital. He died at the age of 47. His funeral and farewell ceremony were conducted ay Aoyama Funeral hall (青山斎場) at May 5. His tomb was built at Takao cemetry of Hachioji city（八王子市高尾霊園）. His last film of “Good-bye, Ark「さらば箱舟」” was opened to the public on September 4.