Kamishibai Theatre to Debut at Sakura Matsuri

When the Society's volunteers visit area schools, one of the most popular activities is kamishibai, the art of Japanese story-telling using paper cards. The Society's kamishibai set is small -- about the same size as the ones that story-tellers in olden days brought to the neighborhood on the back of their bicycles.

So that led to an idea -- why not make a larger-sized kamishibai theatre -- that would be visible to larger groups -- something that the Society could take to school international festivals? And why not use the technique of kamishibai to introduce students to Japanese culture?

The dream is now a reality. At this year's Sakura Matsuri, the Japan-America Society will present an original story on a jumbo version of the traditional kamishibai stage. The story is “Matsuri Meguri – A Merry-Go-Round of Japanese Festivals,” the adventures of two American children who explore Japan when their mother’s job brings them to Tokyo.

The story was written by Cheryl Ames with the help of Carolyn Gold, Cora Yamamoto, Shana Sandberg, Rebecca Butler, and translators Takako Yamanoha and Takamitsu Watanuki. The kamishibai theatre was designed and built by Rex Butler; the storyboard illustrations were created by Eunice Choi; and the original music is by Mamiko Hirai.

The Japan-America Society is grateful to Flat Earth™ Baked Fruit and Veggie Crisps for sponsoring the kamishibai theatre and making our dream come true.