The first installment is from Koryu Nishikawa V who was to perform at the cancelled Spring Living Room Tour fundraisers. Some of you may have seen the 2019 Festival performance of Shank's Mare at the Art Institute which Koryu created with Chicago Puppet Studio co-creator, Tom Lee. We are honored and grateful that Koryu San shared an insider's view into his studio.
Enjoy the video and more info below...
Koryu Nishikawa V is the fifth-generation headmaster of the 160 year-old traditional puppet theatre company, Hachioji Kuruma Ningyo (cart puppet theatre of Hachioji) designated an Intangible Folk Cultural Asset by the Japanese government. This unique form of puppetry was developed by the first Koryu Nishikawa at the end of the Edo Era. Koryu Nishikawa V received instruction in the form from his grandfather and father. At age 23, he studied sanninzukai (three-person manipulation technique) at the Bunraku National Theatre in Osaka. In September 1996, he received his stage name Koryu Nishikawa V. He teaches and directs for traditional puppet theatre companies throughout Japan and is a proponent of educating future generations about the kuruma ningyo form and its history.
Take care, more soon,
The Puppet Fest Team
Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival | Fine Arts Building | 410 South Michigan Avenue, Suite 501 | Chicago, IL 60605 | Office: 312.753.3234 | info@chicagopuppetfest.org