Japan: Papermaking and Puppet Theater

About this Travel Course

The studio component of this class combines the traditional craft of Nagashi-zuki papermaking at the Awagami Paper Factory with set décor production at 2 different traditional puppet theaters on Shikoku Island—Awa Jurobe Yashiki (Puppet Theatre and Museum, Tokushima City) and Ono Sakura no Butai Theatre (Kamiyama town, Tokushima). The class starts with gathering experiences intended to familiarize students with Japanese performance. We will start in Kyoto and Osaka and attend a variety of Japanese performances: Noh Theater, Kabuki Theater, Buddhist Prayers and Meditation and Butoh theater depending on what is available, to gain some understanding of the norms of Japanese performance. Moving to Shikoku Island, an intensive 5-day workshop at the Awagami Paper Factory will instruct students in making kozo fiber washi, paper that has been made continually in Japan since the 8th century. Here students will participate in taiko drumming and Awa Odori dance practice. Finally, in collaboration with Japanese paper artist, puppet theater set designer and sculptor, Reiko Nireki, as well as a local troupe of Awa puppeteers, students will use their paper to create sets for a production of their own design in collaboration with professional puppet masters. The course will finish in Osaka for final discussions and a final dinner.