JCC E-Magazine December 2017

Mr Noma during the Storytelling.

Once again, children and parents were treated to a lively and hilarious Kamishibai (紙芝居), a performance on traditional Japanese Paper Drama by Nomarin on Sunday, 26 November. This annual event was co-organised by Japan Creative Centre (JCC), Embassy of Japan in Singapore, The Japanese Association Singapore, in collaboration of the National Library Board (NLB).

Kamishibai is a form of visual and participatory storytelling that combines the use of hand drawn visuals with the engaging narration of a live presenter. Kami (紙) means paper and shibai (芝居) means play or drama.

Two sessions of Kamishibai performances were conducted this year at Serangoon Public Library and Woodlands Regional Library. It met with an overwhelming response, and enthusiastic audiences had the opportunity to enjoy Kamishibai in English, as well as to participate in Japanese sing-along sessions during the performances.

Mr Shigeyuki Noma, better known by his stage name Nomarin, is a retired Japanese primary school teacher who performs Kamishibai for more than 250 times yearly, in both Japan and overseas. He has accumulated more than 3,600 performances ever since he first started Kamishibai, and was conferred the Japanese Ambassador's Commendation Award last year for his significant contributions toward the promotion of cultural exchange between Japan and Singapore for past 15 years through Kamishibai.

Mr Noma during the Storytelling.

Kamishibai has endured as a storytelling method for centuries, but it is best known for its revival in the 1920s. The Kamishibai storyteller rode from village to village on a bicycle equipped with a small stage. He will then use two wooden clappers called Hyoshigi to announce his arrival. Children who bought candies from the storyteller got the best seats in front of the stage. Once the audiences are assembled, the storyteller will narrate several stories using a set of illustrated boards.

Kamishibai is used as an effective educational tool by teachers in early childhood education as well as in schools, and seen at cultural festivals. The stories range from traditional to modern and the audience is immediately pulled into the dramatic and humorous presentation. Because of the generous size of the story boards, Kamishibai can be used easily with both small and large groups.

Mr Noma during the Storytelling.		Mr Noma during the Storytelling.
Mr Noma interacting with the children.		Mr Noma during the Storytelling.
Mr Noma during the Storytelling.

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