Don't call it old-fashioned! Sagami puppet theater is fun to watch, perform, and create!

A world of art to visit, see and feel
File.23 Kanagawa Prefectural Youth Center "Sagami Puppet Show Competition"
Miyuki Inoue (Magcal Editorial Department)

I am interested in traditional performing arts, but I have always had the impression that they are lofty and unapproachable.
However, when I see kagura and puppet shows at local festivals, I get the feeling that everyone is enjoying themselves, and I find myself envious.
Just as I was thinking that, I found out that there is a region in Kanagawa Prefecture where a folk performing art called "Sagami Puppet Theater" has been passed down and enjoyed by people of all generations. I had to go and see for myself!
So, I immediately went to the rehearsal studio.

Currently, five troupes are active: Shimonakaza (Odawara City), Haseza (Atsugi City), and Hayashiza (Atsugi City), which have been designated as Important Intangible Folk Cultural Properties of Japan, and Maejimaza (Hiratsuka City) and Ashigaraza (Minamiashigara City), which have been designated by the prefecture. In February, these five troupes will gather together for the Sagami Puppet Theater Tournament.

This time we visited Shimonakaza, based in Kotake, Odawara City. It is one of the most active of the five troupes, with 35 members ranging in age from teenagers to those in their 80s.
Furthermore, while many troupes limit their members to local people, Shimonakaza is open to anyone who wants to join, and apparently some members are so drawn to the puppet theater that they commute from Hachioji in Tokyo. This adds to the appeal of Sagami puppet theater, and makes me even more interested.

Like Bunraku and other forms of puppetry, Sagami puppet theater is based on three people operating one puppet. The "main puppeteer" operates the head and right hand. The "left hand puppeteer" operates the left hand, and the "foot puppeteer" controls both feet. The main puppeteer has a clear will and leads the puppet's movements, but since they cannot give verbal instructions, it is important that all three puppeteers work in unison.

The troupe's leader, Mineko Hayashi, felt a sense of crisis while working on Sagami puppet theater as a researcher, thinking, "If things continue like this, it might disappear," so she took over as troupe leader and has been working hard to train successors. Thanks to her efforts, the troupe has been able to create an environment that makes it easy for young people to join and grow, including collaborating with the Sagami Puppet Club at Ninomiya Prefectural High School.

"It seems to be a very fresh experience for the younger generation. They have never imagined they would be able to manipulate puppets, which are cultural assets, with their own hands, so they will be amazed when they actually try it (laughs). Each of the five troupes has its own unique character, and Shimonakaza has young male members, so we would like to actively perform period pieces. The movements are dynamic and easy to understand, so you can enjoy it even if you have no prior knowledge."

The performance I was allowed to observe was not of "Meiboku Sendaihagi ," which will be performed at the Sagami Puppet Theater Competition, but of the new work "The Tale of Soga." Folk performing arts give me a somewhat old-fashioned image (sorry!), so I was quite surprised to learn that they are creating new works themselves.
On this day, Yoshida Minojiro from the Bunraku Theatre was invited to give advice on directing the new production, as well as instruction on puppet care techniques.

Although both Bunraku-za, which represents Osaka culture, and Sagami Puppet Theater Shimonaka-za, which represents Edo culture, use three puppets, there are apparently many differences in the way the puppets are used, but Minojiro is careful to give advice so as not to have a negative impact on either tradition.

I'm looking forward to "Kyara Sendaihagi," which will be performed at the Sagami Puppet Theatre Tournament in February, but I'm also curious about the new work that has been in the making for three years. I can't wait for it to be released in the spring.

During the break, we caught up with some promising young women! They all have different reasons for joining, such as meeting each other at a trial class for elementary school students or seeing their seniors using puppets and thinking, "That's cool!" What they all have in common is the simple thought that "it was fun when I tried performing."
"I thought there might be a chance for me since there weren't many people there, so I joined, and it was a lot more fun than I expected (laughs). I've been going ever since."
With a carefree smile, he showed us the "head" of the "pear splitting" technique.

When it splits open at the forehead, the inside is bright red and the eyes are looking around...
Apparently it's the head of a character who gets killed, and it's quite shocking when it suddenly splits open. However, despite the grotesqueness, there's something humorous about it, so I couldn't help but laugh.

I had always assumed that folk performing arts were "high-brow" but it turns out to be a very approachable world. First, I'll have to see the performance in February when all five troupes will come together. If I'm impressed, I might aim to perform on stage next year.

This event has ended.
The 47th Sagami Puppet Theatre Competition
[Date and Time] Tuesday, February 11, 2020 (National Holiday) 12:30 (Doors open at 12:00, scheduled to end at 16:35)
[Venue] Kanagawa Prefectural Youth Center Hall
[Capacity] 750 people
[Fee] Free (advance registration required)
[How to apply] Please fill in the necessary information below on a postcard and send it to the address below. Up to two people can apply at the same time per postcard. If there are a large number of applications, a lottery will be held. Replies will be sent out in late January. The reply postcard will be used as an admission ticket (reserved seat), so please bring it to the venue on the day.
Postal code
Address
Name
●Telephone number
●Number of participants (up to 2 people)
Participant's name
Please write the return address (on the reply side) and apply by postcard.
[Address] Odawara City Cultural Properties Division, 300 Ogikubo, Odawara City, 250-8555
[Application Deadline] January 15th (Wednesday) *Postmark valid (lottery draw)
[Organizer] Sagami Puppet Theater Association Secretariat (Odawara City Cultural Properties Division)
[Inquiries] 0465-33-1717 (Sagami Puppet Theater Association Secretariat (Odawara City Cultural Properties Division))