Mt. Fuji-san

We have had just one incredible experience after another.  We have been blessed from the very beginning of this journey.  We spent two days with Janet, Hiroshi and Kiana Ohuchi at Lake Yamanaka, in their sweet home that overlooks Mt. Fuji.  We watched the sun rise on Mt. Fuji this morning...

Cultural Exchange

Backstage at The Bunraku

We had a once in a lifetime opportunity in Tokyo at The National Theatre. We were invited backstage after a performance of the Bunraku, who were performing away from their Osaka home base.  We met many of the legendary puppeteers and their masters and were allowed to manipulate an original Bunraku puppet!   Thanks to our gracious host Kanroku-san who is an incredible performer, one of the only 38 authorized puppeteers of The National Bunraku Theatre of Osaka.   I am humbled by his generosity to my company.

Goodbye Tokushima!

Celebrating

At a scrumptious local tokushima eatery,  where our food was literally hunted and collected for us before our eyes;  we celebrated the wonderful Mr. Seki- our sage and savy technical director who taught us the meaning of  the phrase " ikimas",  Yumeko's Birthday!,  and Jessica's clinching of the regional title of Awa Dori Dance Champion- she spontaneously demonstrates this for us frequently.

Awa Puppet Museum

Awaji Puppet Theatre

Thank you so much to the Matsuyama-san and Bando-san from the Awaji puppet theatre.  They attended the show in Tokushima, rounding out these very special performances.  Awaji is where I first went to research dogugaeshi with awaji puppet theatre scholar Jane Marie Law.   They were my original hosts and assisted a great deal in my local investigations into Kawamata, Sakashu and Tokushima.

Tokushima Foundation for Arts and Culture is the Best!

Our experience here in Tokushima has truly been like a homecoming.  Isawa and his staff at the foundation are very dedicated and attentive,  have taken great care of us and have made sure that the show is presented in the best conditions.