Mother and child Ningyo Joruri Ningyo Joruri: The Rape of Naruto, Awa no Naruto / 1997

Puppeteers perform the story of "Keisei Awa-no Naruto. This is a story in the joruri genre, a form of dramatic narrative that is chanted to the accompaniment of a shamisen, a three-stringed instrument. It is associated with puppet shows. "Keisei Awa-no Naruto," Chikamatsu Hanji's joruri features a strong relationship between a mother and daughter based on pure love. At the puppet theater on Awajishima island, Hyogo Prefecture, where puppet joruri is believed to have originated, young members of the puppet troupe are performing in the theater. At the puppet theater on Awajishima island, Hyogo Prefecture, where puppet joruri is believed to have originated, young members of the puppet troupe show visitors how to handle puppets weighing three to 10 kilograms. (Dec. 1, 1997 The Daily Yomiuri "Nanjo's Nihon"／Photo by Masafumi Nanjo) Awa Ningyo Joruri Play "Kakijo Awa no Naruto Junrei Uta no Dan" Awaji Island, Hyogo Prefecture