Ningyo: A Parade of Puppetry
Ningyo! A Parade of Puppetry Series
Get ready for a veritable parade of Japanese puppet (ningyo) programs and astonishing stagecraft, all with the raw, striking twang of live shamisen music! In honor of the momentous presentation of the authoritative bunraku theater brought to New York City by Japan’s National Theatre for the first time in over 30 years, Japan Society is showcasing a full series of puppet-themed events, from dramatic traditional arts to enchanting world premieres, and revivals to historical “spin-offs”—all drawn from the creative well of Japan’s rich puppetry culture.
Basil Twist’s Dogugaeshi
September 11-19, 2024
National Bunraku Theater
October 3-5, 2024
Shinnai Meets Puppetry: One Night in Winter & The Peony Lantern
November 7-9, 2024
The Benshi Tradition and the Silver Screen: A Japanese Puppetry Spin-off
December 12 & 13, 2024
Workshop
Japanese Puppet Theater 101: A Close Look at Bunraku
October 5, 2024
Save 20% when you purchase a ticket to any 3 programs in the Ningyo! A Parade of Puppetry Series (not including workshops). Offer only valid for tickets purchased in the same transaction.
Gallery Exhibition
Alongside the Ningyo! A Parade of Puppetry series this fall, the gallery exhibition Bunraku Backstage offers a rare glimpse behind the scenes of Japan’s puppetry theater, showcasing actual working puppets, props, instruments, costumes and more. Check out more details here.
Top & Inset Images: Ningyo! A Parade of Puppetry Series: The Love Suicides at Sonezaki © Photo by Tomoko Ogawa.
The Ningyo! A Parade of Puppetry series is supported by The Jim Henson Foundation.
Dogugaeshi is supported by Doug and Teresa Peterson. Support for the international travel of Yumiko Tanaka is provided by The Japan Foundation.
National Bunraku Theater is produced under partnership with Japan Arts Council, which is supported, in part, by Japan Cultural Expo 2.0, All Nippon Airways Co., Ltd., Kikkoman Corporation, and Suntory Holdings Limited. The program is also supported, in part, by John and Miyoko Davey Foundation and Takenaka Corporation.
Shinnai Meets Puppetry is supported by Doug and Teresa Peterson and the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and New York State Legislature.
Screening materials for The Benshi Tradition and the Silver Screen: A Japanese Puppetry Spin-Off courtesy of the National Film Archive of Japan.
2024-25 Performing Arts Season Support
The season is made possible, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.
Additional, major support is generously provided by Doug and Teresa Peterson, Howard Gilman Foundation, and Jun Makihara and Megumi Oka. Endowment support is provided by the Lila Wallace-Reader’s Digest Endowment Fund, John and Miyoko Davey Foundation, and a leadership gift from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation.
Program support is also generously provided by The Fan Fox and Leslie R. Samuels Foundation; Hisamitsu America, Inc.; Akiko Mikumo; Hiroko Onoyama; Richard and Momona Royce; Dr. and Mrs. Carl F. Taeusch II; Dr. Jeanette C. Takamura; Nancy and Joe Walker; Estate of Alan M. Suhonen; and Performing Arts Circle members.
All Nippon Airways Co., Ltd. is the official airline of the Japan Society Performing Arts Program. Yamaha is the official piano provider of Japan Society.
Japan Society programs are made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.