Awaji Ningyoza

Overview

Awaji Ningyoza is a performance venue in Fukura, Minamiawaji City, Hyogo Prefecture, dedicated to Awaji Ningyo Joruri. This traditional performing art, boasting a history of over 500 years, is a captivating synthesis of puppeteer, tayu (narrator), and shamisen. The puppeteers bring the puppets to life with their skillful manipulation, making them move with incredible realism. The tayu narrates the story, conveying the emotions of the characters, while the shamisen provides dramatic musical accompaniment, enhancing the narrative with its varying rhythms and melodies. Awaji Ningyoza presents a diverse range of performances, from traditional to contemporary works. Experiencing this puppet theater provides a unique opportunity to engage with Japanese traditional performing arts, history, and culture. In addition to performances, Awaji Ningyoza also offers exhibitions of materials related to Ningyo Joruri and workshops. If you're interested, be sure to visit!