1890 – 1954

Born in Tokyo, Kunio Kishida attended the Imperial Japanese Army Academy and was commissioned as a second lieutenant before retiring from the military. He then enrolled in the French Literature Department at Tokyo Imperial University, where he developed a deep interest in modern French drama. In 1919, he traveled to France to study theater under figures such as Jacques Copeau and Georges Pitoëff. After returning to Japan, he published plays such as *Old Toys* and *Autumn in Tyrol* in *Shincho Theater*. He went on to write numerous works, including *Paper Balloons*, *Ushiyama Hotel*, and *Warm Current*. Kishida also founded the “Kumo no Kai” (Cloud Society), advocating for the “three-dimensionalization of literature” movement. As a leader in the *shingeki* (new theater) movement, he played an active role as both a director and a mentor.