1. Title of the Project:

Promotion of Awa Ningyo-Joruri through Preservation and Utilisation of Nousonbutai Stages

2. Name of the Performing Art Concerned in the Project

Awa Ningyo-Joruri

3. Geographic Location of the Community

Areas within Tokushima Prefecture with nousonbutai stages (Tokushima-shi, Anan-shi, Miyoshi-shi, Naka-cho, Minami-cho, Katsuura-cho, Kamikatsu-cho, Kamiyama-cho, Higashi-Miyoshi-cho, and others)

4. Introduction of the Performing Art

Influenced by the puppet troupes of Awajishima, various puppet troupes sprang up throughout the prefecture in the 17th century. Since travelling performers went even to small villages deep in the mountains, the appeal of Ningyo-Joruri penetrated through to the far corners of Tokushima. The late 1880s were the golden years of this performing art, but it gradually went into decline and puppet troupes disbanded one after another between the Taisho and Showa eras.

In 1946, the Awa Ningyo-Joruri Promotion Foundation was formed and a joruri festival came to be held every summer in the prefecture, which in turn prompted puppet troupes and tayu groups to slowly revive. Fourteen puppet troupes and four tayu groups operate at present. It has gained popularity among young people, as seen in the formation of groups within local elementary, junior and high schools. In 1999, it was designated an intangible folk-cultural asset of national importance.

5. Problems the community faced before the launch of the project, and the factors which caused the decline of and threatened the performing art

An area which suffered a drastic decline in population over a thirty-five year period from 1960 to 1995 would be deemed an under populated area. In Naka-cho, home to the greatest number of nousonbutai stages in the prefecture, the population declined during this period by 46%. In 2002, elderly persons accounted for 32.8% of the local population, making Naka-cho an area that is characterised by remarkable rates of both depopulation and aging.

For example, in the Haigyu district in Naka-cho, which once boasted forestry and the production of Japanese paper, elderly persons account for more than half of the population. In line with this pattern of depopulation and aging, festivals and other annual events became streamlined and attended by fewer and fewer visitors. While there had in the past been Haigyu puppet troupes that used to also tour outside their local villages with over forty puppets in tow, such puppet plays were last presented around 1948. Nevertheless, Haigyu nousonbutai stages have managed to survive till today by being used as host post-festival banquets and local meetings. In addition, some fusuma paintings for puppet plays and an Ebisu puppet by a Haigyu puppet troupe could also survive along with the passion felt by local elderly persons towards such puppet plays.

6. Details of the project for solving problems of the performing art, especially who and how it started, finance, and involvement of younger generation

The Awa Nousonbutai no Kai is an organizsation that was established with the aims of restoring confidence and pride in one’s own community by promoting Awa Ningyo-Joruri through the preservation and utilisation of nousonbutai stages, and of promoting the cultural activities of the prefecture as a whole.

The organisation has contributed in awareness-raising of nousonbutai stages among the residents of this prefecture. In 2007, it changed from a voluntary organisation to a non-profit organisation to broaden the scope of its activities. Members of the organisation are engaged in the following programmes while endeavouring to collaborate with preservation societies in areas with nousonbutai stages and other relevant parties.

• Surveys and research
• Promotion and enlightenment
• Support for the utilisation of nousonbutai stages
• Consultation support

In addition, in support of the utilisation of nousonbutai stages, they supported revival performances on the stage in various areas. This triggered the formation of the Hoichi Nousonbutai Preservation Society, whereupon a public performance has been held in October each year since then.

Such events are able to be held through comprehensive cooperation among local government offices, such as the boards of education, police departments and forestry cooperatives. Actively cooperation has been focused on promotion of Awa Ningyo-Joruri, organisation of cultural forums of “Nousonbutai stages and Awa Ningyo-Joruri”, organisation of nousonbutai photographic exhibitions, and more programmes based on the prefectural culture promotion policy.