28th November 2015

Conferment of the Japanese Ambassador's Commendation Award
on Mr. Shigeyuki Noma
The Japanese Paper Drama (KAMISHIBAI) Performer

  
  On 28th November 2015, His Excellency Haruhisa Takeuchi, Ambassador of Japan to Singapore conferred the Japanese Ambassador's Commendation Award to Mr. Shigeyuki Noma, who is a Japanese Paper Drama (KAMISHIBAI) Performer. This commendation is presented to Mr.Shigeyuki Noma for his significant contributions toward promotion of the cultural exchange between Japan and Singapore for past 15 years through his performances of the Japanese Paper Drama (KAMISHIBAI).

Mr. Noma, 75 years old, has been performing the Japanese Paper Drama (KAMISHIBAI) under the name of “Nomarin’s KAMISHIBAI Theater” immediately after his retirement in 2001 from Primary School in Kanazawa. From 2002 onwards, he has been performing 200 to 250 times annually, and the total number of his performances has now reached 3,600 on 20th November 2015.

Mr. Noma has not only been performing his paper drama in Japan, but also performing in overseas such as Singapore, China, Malaysia, Thailand, Canada and UK. Since 2001 onwards, Mr. Noma has been invited annually by the Japanese Association (JA) in Singapore where he has been performing, and also at the Japanese School and the Japanese Kindergarten. From 2006 onwards, he has extended his performance to public libraries in Singapore. This year marks the 15th year of his paper drama performance in Singapore. On 29th November 2015, his performance will be held in Regional Library of Clementi and Bukit Batok.

On top of paper drama performances, after his establishment of the “Noma Hyoshigi (Wooden Clappers)” on August 2000 in Ishikawa, he has been actively conducting lectures on how to perform a paper drama as well. In Singapore, his lecture on performing paper drama has been held at Japan Creative Centre (JCC) in November 2013.

The Japanese Ambassador's Commendation Award is awarded by the Ambassador of Japan to Singapore to individuals who have made a long-term contribution in promoting friendly relationship between Japan and Singapore.

Mr. Shigeyuki Noma
Paper drama (KAMISHIBAI) Performer


Born 1940 in Kyoto (75 years old)

Mr. Shigeyuki NOMA was born in Kyoto in 1940, and is 75 years old this year. After graduating from the Faculty of Education at Kanazawa University, he has worked for the nursing school attached to the Faculty of Education of Kanazawa University and the primary school in Kanazawa city.
　
Since his retirement in March 2001, he has been performing the Japanese Paper Drama (KAMISHIBAI) under the name of “Nomarin’s KAMISHIBAI Theater.” From 2002 onwards, he has been performing 200 to 250 times annually, and the total number of his performances has now reached 3,600 on 20th November 2015.
　
The performance has been held not only in Kanazawa city, but also over 20 prefectures in Japan such as Ishikawa, Fukui, Tokyo, Osaka, Shiga, Aichi, Mie, Gunma, Niigata, Nagano, Ehime and Hokkaido.

Overseas paper drama performance

Singapore:
  • Performance held annually since 2001 at the Japanese Association (JA), Japanese Primary School and Kindergarten
  • Performance at 2 locations of Public Library since 2006
  • Lecture at JCC in 2013
  • 15th Anniversary in 2015
Malaysia:
  • Performance annually since 2004 (Johor Bahru Japanese Primary and Secondary School)
Thailand:
  • (Bangkok) 2004, 2006
Canada:
  • (Vancouver) 2002
UK:
  • (Scotland) 2007
China:
  • (Shanghai Rainbow Bunko) 2008, 2010 onwards
  • (Nanjing) 2013 (Performance, Lecture)
In August 2000, Mr. Noma has established the “Noma Hyoshigi (Wooden Clappers) Club”, and has been conducting the trainings on how to perform paper drama, which is currently held monthly in 6 locations in Ishikawa Prefecture.