Since the late Meiji period, Shakespeare has held a central place in Japanese literary culture. This account explores the conditions of Shakespeare's reception and assimilation through an analysis of the works of major translators and directors of Shakespeare in Japan as well as discussing novels and films in Japan which were inspired by Shakespeare. It considers the cultural and linguistic problems of translation and includes an extensive illustrated survey of the most significant Shakespearean productions and adaptations, and the contrasting responses of Japanese and Western critics.