The World of Kamishibai: Japanese Paper Theatre and Storytelling

Join us for a special introduction to the world of Kamishibai, Japan’s traditional and unique form of paper theatre storytelling. Visiting from Japan, two experienced Kamishibai storytellers, Tamachan and Piiman-san, will present an engaging overview of the history and cultural significance of kamishibai, its various styles and formats, and the techniques behind live storytelling performances.
The event will also feature live Kamishibai performances using their storyboards, offering you a rare opportunity to experience this dynamic storytelling tradition through narration, illustration, and theatrical presentation. Whether you are new to Kamishibai or an experienced storyteller, participants of all backgrounds and ages are welcome.

*The event will be held in Japanese, with Japanese-English interpretation provided by Jocelyne Allen.

*JFT Library has special opening hours from 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm on the day of the event. Feel free to explore our physical collection before the event!

Audience:
Educators, library professionals, parents and anyone (6+ years old) who are interested in Japanese storytelling culture and techniques

Admission:
Free (RSVP required)

Wheelchair Accessibility:
Yes

Register Here

Kamishibai Performers 

MIMOTO Fumiyo (a.k.a Piiman-san) performs kamishibai for children at libraries, community centers and special events and also gives workshops in Yao City, Osaka on handmade kamishibai. She won the top prize at the prestigious Minoh City Handmade Kamishibai Competition (箕面手作り紙芝居コンクール) in 2000 and has published many kamishibai stories for the elderly, which she performs at elder caregiving seminars and facilities.

MIMOTO is a co-founder of the Tezukuri Kamishibai-Kan in Osaka, where she teaches children and adults how to create original kamishibai stories and shares classic street-performance kamishibai from the Shiozaki Children’s Kamishibai Museum.

OTSUKA Tamayo (a.k.a. Tamachan) is one of Japan’s leading practitioners of traditional street kamishibai and a cultural heritage practitioner dedicated to preserving, transmitting, and promoting Japanese kamishibai culture both in Japan and internationally.

For more than 45 years, she has been engaged in kamishibai performance, exhibitions, publishing, and educational activities. Beginning her career as a traditional street kamishibai performer traveling by bicycle to neighborhood parks, she has devoted her life to preserving and transmitting Japan’s kamishibai heritage.

In recent years, she has focused on discovering, preserving, reproducing, and publishing handmade kamishibai created by children and community members. Working in collaboration with museums, libraries, schools, and community organizations, she promotes cultural heritage preservation and international exchange through kamishibai.

Through performances, exhibitions, workshops, publications, and international collaborations, she has introduced kamishibai to audiences throughout Japan, North America, and Europe.

She currently serves as President of the Handmade Kamishibai Museum.

*Learn more about OTSUKA Tamayo from here (PDF file)

Interpreter

Jocelyne Allen is a Japanese translator and interpreter and has translated hundreds of short stories, novels, and manga, including the Eisner Award-winning Frankenstein by Junji Ito and the critically acclaimed Our Dreams at Dusk by Yuhki Kamatani. As an interpreter, she has worked with Japan’s most celebrated authors and artists, including Sayaka Murata, Nagata Kabi, Kyoko Nakajima, and Asano Inio. @brainvsbook