Ningyo joruri puppet theater was a popular form of entertainment among ordinary people in the Edo period, and in Tokushima, rural stages were built in many areas specifically for these performances. As the number of rural stages has declined over the years, Inukai Rural Community Theater in Hata-cho, Tokushima City, has been handed down thanks to dedicated preservation efforts, and it is designated a National Important Tangible Folk Cultural Property. This year, an Awa Ningyo Joruri Puppet Theater performance will again be held there.
Fusuma Karakuri Follows the Performance
After the Awa Ningyo Joruri Puppet Theater performance, the local preservation society presents a Fusuma Karakuri show. Using 132 fusuma sliding panels, it displays 42 scenes one after another. The event offers a chance to see traditional performing arts on a historic rural stage.
Event Details
Date and Time: November 3 (national holiday), 10:30 AM to 2:20 PM (held rain or shine)
Venue: Inukai Rural Community Theater (徳島市八多町八屋 五王神社境内)
Admission: Open to everyone, free of charge. Visitors may come and go during the performance.
Program
- Shiki Sanbaso (式三番叟)
- Keisei Awa no Naruto: Junreiuta no Dan (傾城阿波の鳴門 順礼歌の段)
- Keisei Awa no Naruto: Jurobei Uchi no Dan (傾城阿波の鳴門 十郎兵衛内の段)
- Ehon Taikoki: Amagasaki no Dan (絵本太功記 尼ケ崎の段)
The four items above are performed by 友和嘉会 and Katsuura-za (勝浦座).
- Fusuma Karakuri: Dangaeshi Senjojiki (襖からくり 段返し千畳敷), performed by the Inukai Rural Community Theater Preservation Society (犬飼農村舞台保存会)
Access
- By bus: Take the Tokushima City Bus bound for Gotaki (五滝) from JR Tokushima Station, departing at 8:40 AM, and walk 10 minutes from the stop where you get off.
- After the performance, the bus from in front of 虹の橋葵ホスピタル to Tokushima Station will run an extended service, departing Gotaki at 3:05 PM. Departure and arrival times may be slightly delayed depending on operating conditions. This bus goes via the bypass and ふれあい健康館.
- A bus from Gotaki to Tokushima Station also departs at 4:30 PM.
- By car: About 40 minutes from JR Tokushima Station. Parking is available in the surrounding area.
