In 1913 Hougetsu SHIMAMURA and Sumako MATSUI set up together a theatrical company 'Geijutsuza,' but their relationship, which led to the death of Hogetsu from disease after several years (in 1918) and the follow-up suicide of Sumako in the end (in 1919), stirred the masses to be inquisitive about the political oppression against them and the fact that the relationship was ruined in a short period of time, especially because the theatrical company and their performances were highly praised.
大正2年、劇団「芸術座(劇団)」を旗揚げした島村抱月と松井須磨子の、数年後の病死～後追い自殺（同7～8年）にいたる関係においては、劇団や演目への好評が大きいだけに政治的圧力や短い期間での破綻が大衆の好奇を刺激した。