Urashima Taro

Urashima Taro fuses stunning visuals with human size Bunraku-style puppets and Kamishibai.

A solo puppet performance inspired by Japanese mythology and aesthetics, Urashima Taro fuses stunning visuals with human size Bunraku-style puppets and Kamishibai – a traditional Japanese form of paper theatre – the origin of Manga. Video projection, shadow play, puppetry and the actor combine to tell this fascinating story of lust, betrayal and loss.

In return for saving a turtle, a poor young fisherman, Urashima Taro, is invited by the mysterious and captivating Lady Otohime, to stay in her palace under the sea. Promises of a life of eternal pleasure slowly turn into a nightmare as Urashima Taro’s fate unfolds.

---

Artistic Team

• Performer, co-writer, puppet designer and maker, co-set designer: Aya Nakamura
• Director, co-writer, co-set designer: Paul Piris
• Voice over: Juley Ayres
• Lighting designer: Nao Nagai
• Set builder: Phil Newman
• Design advisor: Adam Hypki
• Photography/Film: Monika Kita