As part of a special exhibition on Taiwanese traditional puppetry from Aug. 29 to Oct. 13, the Taipei Puppet Theater (臺北木偶劇團) collaborates with Japan's marionette theater company Youkiza (結城座) for the first time to perform puppetry at Za Kōenji Public Theatre, Tokyo from Sep. 3 to 4.
Directed by Japanese renowned playwright Makoto Sato (佐藤信), the show tells a forbidden love story between a mortal and a goddess who later gave birth to a son. In a rage, the goddess' brother imprisons her inside a sacred mountain. One day, the son of the goddess discovers his mother's past and travels to the mountain where she is imprisoned to free her. The show is the representative work of Taiwan’s Beiguan glove puppetry. Originating from the late 19th century in Taiwan, Beiguan glove puppetry was the best entertainment activity in leisure time in the past.
Through this international collaboration, it is hoped that Taiwanese traditional art will break through the barriers of languages and culture, presenting innovations and cross-culture performances to the Japanese audience while attracting the attention of the Japanese performing arts community and the public.
Youkiza was founded by Yuki Magosaburou during the Edo period. Its history has spanned some three and a half centuries. While continuing to perform Buddhist parables, today’s Youkiza remains active, performing new works, picture works and putting on shows overseas. Youkiza is highly regarded, having been presented with numerous significant awards from the Japanese government and public society.
Taipei Puppet Theater was founded in 2010. The theater performers are mainly middle-aged and with an average apprenticeship of over 15 years. Making their career purpose to continue the life of traditional puppet shows, they are the vibrant new generation of puppet theater in Taiwan.