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 image that it is 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 discovered that there is a region in Kanagawa Prefecture where a folk 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 are designated as Important Intangible Folk Cultural Properties by the nation, and Maejimaza (Hiratsuka City) and Ashigaraza (Minamiashigara City), which are 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 Odake, Odawara City. It is one of the most active of the five theater groups, with its 35 members ranging in age from their teens to their 80s.
Also, while many troupes limit members to locals, Shimonakaza is open to anyone interested, and some members are so fascinated by the puppet theater that they commute from Hachioji in Tokyo. That's how fascinating Sagami puppet theater is, and my interest in it grows.

Sagami puppet theater, like Bunraku, is based on three people operating one puppet. The "main puppeteer" operates the head and right hands. The "left hand puppeteer" operates the left hands, and the "foot puppeteer" operates both feet. The main puppeteer leads the puppet's movements with a clear will, but since he cannot give verbal instructions, it is important that the three puppeteers work in sync.

Mineko Hayashi, the troupe's director, felt a sense of crisis while working on Sagami puppet theater as a researcher, saying, "If things continue like this, it may disappear," so she took over as director and has been focusing on training successors. Thanks to her efforts, the troupe has created an environment where it is easy for young people to enter and grow, such as by 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 must be amazed when they actually try it (laughs). Each of the five troupes has its own personality, but 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 without 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 "Soga Monogatari". Folk performing arts have a somewhat old-fashioned image ( sorry !), so I was surprised to learn that they are creating new works by themselves.
On this day, Yoshida Minojiro from the Bunraku Theatre was invited to the group, who provided 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 Shimonochu-za, which represents Edo culture, use three puppets, there are many differences in the way the puppets are operated, but Minojiro is careful to give advice so as not to negatively affect each other's traditions.

I'm looking forward to "Kyara Sendaihagi" which will be performed at the Sagami Puppet Theatre Tournament in February, but I'm also interested in a new piece 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 at an elementary school trial class 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 would be a good chance for me since there weren't many people, so I joined, and it was a lot more fun than I expected (laughs). I've been here ever since."
With a carefree smile, he showed us the head of a pear splitter.

When it split open at the forehead, the inside was bright red and the eyes were rolling around...
Apparently he is the "head" of the so-called "slasher", but it's surprising to see him suddenly split in two. However, even though it's grotesque, it's somehow humorous, so I couldn't help but laugh.

I had always thought of folk performing arts as something "high-brow," but it seems to be a very approachable world. First, I have to see the performance in February when the five troupes will gather together. If I get a good feeling from it, I might aim to perform on stage next year.

This event has ended.
The 47th Sagami Puppet Show 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 out the necessary information below on a postcard and send it to the address below. Up to two people can apply at the same time on one postcard. If there are many 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 name
Please write the return address (on the reply side) on a postcard and apply.
[Address] 300 Ogikubo, Odawara City, 250-8555, Odawara City Cultural Properties Division
[Application Deadline] January 15th (Wed) *Postmark deadline (multiple lottery)
[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))