Master Japanese Puppetry Artist Offers Free Workshop

Photo of Master Puppeteer Koryu Nishikawa V. Courtesy of UH-SCEP.

Koryu Nishikawa V, a master Japanese puppetry artist, will teach a free workshop on Tuesday, Sept. 19 at 1 p.m. at the Hilo Public Library and 5 p.m. at the Kailua-Kona Public Library.

Koryu Nishikawa V is a 5th generation master puppeteer of the Kuruma Ningyō style. Kuruma Ningyō is the 160-year-old form of puppetry related to the three-person style of Bunraku.  However, in Kuruma Ningyō, a puppet is operated by a single puppeteer sitting on a small wheeled cart.  The puppeteer uses his hands and feet to manipulate the puppet’s arms, legs and head, all while rolling about the stage on the cart.

Assisting Master Nishikawa will be Tom Lee, director, designer, puppet artist and former Mililani resident, who has appeared in War Horse on Broadway and in Madame Butterfly at the Metropolitan Opera.

Participants can get up close to see the beautiful traditional Japanese puppets and watch how they are brought to life through skillful puppetry techniques.

The UH-Manoa Outreach College’s Statewide Cultural Extension Program is sponsoring this workshop along with the Hawai‘i State Public Libraries System.  Additional funding and support is provided by the Performing Arts Presenters of Hawai‘i and the Hawai‘i State Foundation on Culture and the Arts.

For more information, visit www.librariesHawai‘i.org/events.