What’s New About Shinnai and Kuruma Ningyo?

Traditional puppetry and narrative singing: a modern match made in heaven

 

Cultural News, October 2007

 

 

Living National Treasure and Shinnai master Tsuruga Wakasanojo XI (Courtesy of the Shinnai USA)

 

By Maiko Behr

 

HANFORD, California -  This month, we will have a rare opportunity to experience Shinnai narrative singing performed by the preeminent master of this art form in conjunction with Kuruma Ningyo puppetry presented by The Clark Center for Japanese Art and Culture in Hanford in California’s Central Valley.

 

    Shinnai is a form of narrative singing developed in the mid-18th century by Tsuruga Wakasanojo I and further mastered by his gifted student Tsuruga Shinnai (after whom the tradition was named).

 

    Unlike many other forms of traditional Japanese narrative music, until the 20th century, this tradition of narrative singing was not associated with other forms of performance. It was only in the past 20 years or so, when the current Tsuruga Wakasanojo (the eleventh to hold this name) was approached by Kuruma Ningyo puppetry master Nishikawa Koryu IV, that Shinnai has begun to appear frequently in conjunction with other performing art forms.

 

     The current Shinnai and Kuruma Ningyo tour of the U.S., starts in Amherst, Massachusetts, and continues in Hanford, California, on October 13 and 14. Program will include formal performances as well as workshops and lectures to deepen understanding of these arts.

 

     In Hanford, a workshop for performing arts professionals on Saturday, October 13, offers participants an in-depth introduction to both the Shinnai music tradition and Kuruma Ningyo puppetry, with demonstrations of various styles and techniques that are the most representative of each of these traditions.

 

    The workshop is a rare opportunity to gain insight into the intricacies of different traditions of Japanese music and performance that are elusive even to most Japanese.

 

    On Sunday, October 14, the troupe presents “Yuki” (Snow) – a mournful love song – and “Yaji Kita” – a comedic travelogue – demonstrating a range of emotions that powerfully reinforces the perfect fit between the Shinnai and Kuruma Ningyo genres.

 

     For more information about these programs, see the tour website at www.shinnai-usa.org or email Maiko Behr at mbehr@shinnai-usa.org.

 

     Maiko Behr is a Japanese art and cultural programs consultant based in

Vancouver, B.C., Canada.