Puppets created by Y. Yamamoto are
themselves such artistic dolls that attract and impress everyone
profoundly. They are very sophisticated, and each one has its
own unique structure for movement. Depending on its specific
character, marionette-type structure and rod-type structure
were interwoven differently, and special handling skills are
required in order to move more naturally and freely. The world
created by Kawasemi-za is a new one that is unique and unexplored
in puppetry.
All Kawasemi-za's creation is rich in originality and in advanced
techniques. Puppets, lifeless in themselves, become so marvelously
animated in the hands of the puppeteers, expressing various
emotions and conveying meaningful messages, which they fail
to inspire and move their audience. The puppeteers appear on
the stage with the puppets, which enable them to send out their
messages effectively without copping up in a small space. In
this way, all puppets fly at ease with the audience's imagination.
Kawasemi-za has been invited to perform at puppet festivals
not only in Japan but also in many foreign countries and gained
a good reputation for its puppet-creation, expression, and artistic
quality.
Yoshiya YAMAMOTO:
Kawasemi-za's leader, Y. Yamamoto, had worked in "Takeda
Ningyo-za", one of the Japanese traditional marionette
theaters, where he learned the technical skills of puppet making
and handling. In 1982 he decided to set up his own company,
Kawasemi-za, with a view of representing a new dimension in
puppetry. Ever since, he has worked on designing, making, and
directing puppets all by himself.
Izumi MASUMURA
In 1994, I. Masumura (Ms.) joined Kawasemi-za. She had studied
ballet and played as an actress on stages, and has been contributing
to KAWASEMI-ZA ever since. Kawasemi-za has been invited to perform
at puppet festivals not only in Japan but also in many foreign
countries and gained a good reputation for its puppet-creation,
expression, and artistic quality.
| OVERSEAS PERFORMANCES |
| 2005 |
Ravenna, Campiglia Marittima, ITALY
Edinburgh, SCOTLAND |
| 2003 |
Seoul, KOREA
- in Chon-Dong Theater |
| 2002 |
ISLAEL, MOROCCO, TUNISIA
- Invitation from Japan Foundation & Japanese Embassy. |
| 2002 |
Hong Kong - International Art Festival |
| 2001 |
St.Paul, USA -Koch International Children's Festival |
| 1999 |
Seattle, USA - International Children's Festival |
| 1999 |
Malibu, USA - Pepperdine Univ. |
| 1997 |
Tolosa, SPAIN - International Puppet Festival |
| 1996 |
Montreal, CANADA - Cinars 96 |
| 1996 |
Bekescsaba, HUNGARY - Hungary International Puppet Festival |
| 1996 |
Budapest, HUNGARY - UNIMA 96 |
| 1991 |
Teheran, IRAN - International Puppet Festival |
| 1988 |
Taipei, TAIWAN - Asia and Pacific International Puppet
Festival |
| 1986 |
Seoul, KOREA- Seoul International Puppet Festival |
| AWARDS |
| 2000 |
Nominated Prize by Millennium Culture & Art Festival
in Japan |
| 1996 |
The Best Quality of the Artist Animation Award by BEKESCSABA |
| 1996 |
The Best Puppeteer Award by Japan Children Play Association |
| 1991 |
Special Recommended Production Prize
by the Central Children's Welfare Council |
|
'Tsurara' & YAMAMOTO
'Zuhfie' & MASUMURA
Goblins 'Guzi' & 'Gobe'
donkey 'Platero'
&
a young boy 'Yamu'
|
