Masuda String Puppeteers
Masuda String Puppets is a performance group based in Masuda City, Shimane Prefecture. Two events will be held in London as part of a visit to the UK and the first overseas performance as a part of the ‘V&A Japan Festival for Families’ events.
The Masuda String Puppeteers’ style is the only surviving Edo Period (1603 – 1868) style string puppetry currently performed in Japan, using an Edo-era puppet stage with Gidayu-style narration.
A special event will be held 28 April 2016 at 6:00 – 7:00pm, followed by a drinks reception from 7:00pm at The Daiwa Anglo-Japanese Foundation, Regents Park, London. Details can be seen here.
The troupe will also be performing as part of the Japan Festival for Families on Sun 1 May 2016 from 11:00 throughout the V&A, a free special Children’s Day celebration to immerse yourself in the sights, sounds and stories of Japan. Visitors can take part in dance, music, storytelling, digital and art activities for all the family. More details can be seen here.
A Cultural Property (文化財: bunkazai) is administered by the Japanese government’s Agency for Cultural Affairs, and includes tangible properties (structures and works of art or craft); intangible properties (performing arts and craft techniques); folk properties both tangible and intangible; monuments historic, scenic and natural; cultural landscapes; and groups of traditional buildings. Buried properties and conservation techniques are also protected. Together these cultural properties are to be preserved and utilized as the heritage of the Japanese people.
