About Awa Ningyo Joruri Puppet
Awa Ningyo Joruri Puppets are craft puppets used in 'Awa Ningyo Joruri,' a traditional performing art of Tokushima Prefecture. From the early Edo period, ningyo joruri (puppet theater) took root in the farming villages of Tokushima (Awa), developing a unique Awa style influenced by Osaka's Bunraku. The puppets have sophisticated structures operated by the main puppeteer (or three puppeteers) moving the torso, head, and limbs, with expressively carved heads, intricately embroidered costumes, and precision-engineered limb mechanisms showcasing the pinnacle of puppet-maker craftsmanship. Still performed at rural kabuki and Obon festivals, they are iconic craft objects of Tokushima's proud traditional performing arts.
Techniques & Materials
Craft terms are shown in the original Japanese — these are proper names with no standard English equivalents.
Techniques
Materials
Where to see & buy
Workshop names are in Japanese; links go to their official sites.
- 阿波十郎兵衛屋敷 hands-on experience