A New Online Platform For the Discourse of Performing Arts "Shihai"
Business Overview
In 2017, Yamazaki Kenta (critic and Drama Turku) launched the theater criticism magazine Shihai - Paperback- as a personal project. In its second phase, the magazine has been upgraded to a platform for discourses on the performing arts.
In November 2023, we launched the web version of "Shihai - Paperback- WEB" and created a system in which 1 interview with an artist and 2 reviews of a play are posted for each featured performance.
In 2024, a guest curator system was introduced to expand coverage and readership, and joint projects with theaters and festivals began in earnest. In 2025, a new initiative was launched in which young critics were recruited as' Shihai Fellow' and published their opinions monthly.
While publishing articles for free as a general rule, we have tried to establish a sustainable operating foundation through a supporter system and tie-up income.
As of February 1, 2026, there are two members of the editorial department: Yamazaki and Okawa Satoshi, in charge of back office management.
- Period of Activity / Project
- Tuesday, July 1, 2025 - Sunday, February 1, 2026
- Venues
- Online (Paperback WEB)
YAU STUDIO (Paperback Talk Venue)
Profile
[Shihai -Paperback- Editorial Office]
In May 2017, as a personal project of Yamazaki Kenta, Shihai - Paperback- was launched as a new style of theater criticism magazine that includes reviews of plays and their performances (grant: Shimokita Wave). A total of 4 books were published from 2017 to 2018.
Restarted as the second phase in November 2023.
In addition to publishing his fifth drama criticism magazine since his first term, he launched a new platform for words of performing arts on his website, "Shihai - Paperback- WEB".
One interview and two reviews are published for each performing art work, and it is unique in that it provides one-stop communication of the discourse before and after the performance.
Over the past 2 years, the website has published more than 100 articles, mainly reviews and interviews.