Hachioji Kuruma Ningyo Nishikawa Koryuza
Koryu Nishikawa (5th generation master)
Hello! We visited the rehearsal studio of the Nishikawa Koryuza troupe in Hachioji for this interview.
When we heard we would meet the head master, we imagined someone formal and intimidating in traditional attire. Instead, Mr. Nishikawa appeared in a T-shirt with a warm smile and immediately put us at ease. He even prepared tea for us himself.
As the fifth-generation master of Hachioji Kuruma Ningyo, a tradition that dates back to the Edo period, he spoke gently about his passion.
“Japanese puppet theater has a remarkable level of artistry. I want more people to see it and enjoy it.”
Despite his busy schedule, including international performances, he generously shared his story with us.
Growing Up in a Family of Traditional Performers
Born in Hachioji in 1953, he grew up in a family of Kuruma Ningyo puppeteers that had continued for generations.
His childhood home was far from ordinary, filled with the sound of his grandfather’s shamisen, a traditional Japanese string instrument.
His parents performed Kuruma Ningyo while also working in the textile industry in Hachioji, once known as a center of silk production.
As a child, he was not allowed to touch the puppets or stage equipment. The only exception was the “rokuro-guruma,” a small wheeled platform used in performances.
Watching his grandfather and father perform while playing with this device, his interest in puppet theater naturally began to grow.
Entering the World of Puppet Theater
Around his sixth year of elementary school, he began training alongside older cousins.
He made his stage debut in his first year of junior high school and began traveling regularly for performances.
After graduating, he studied Bunraku, Japan’s most famous form of puppet theater, and later traveled to Sweden to learn about puppetry overseas.
While abroad, he taught his Kuruma Ningyo techniques while also learning local styles of puppetry.
At the age of 42, in 1996, he inherited the name Koryu Nishikawa and became the fifth-generation head of the troupe.
From Traditional Art to the Global Stage
Since his first international performance in Moscow in 1976, he has presented a wide range of works abroad, from classical pieces to new productions.
In 2023, he performed in five cities across North America, including New York, drawing significant attention.
In August 2024, he also led a Japan–U.S. collaborative contemporary puppet production in Japan.
In addition to performing, he visits puppet theaters across Japan to mentor and guide younger performers.
The Nishikawa Koryuza troupe currently has 13 members and actively introduces local children to the world of puppet theater.
Influencing Performers Around the World
In recent years, he developed a new style known as “Shin Kuruma Ningyo.”
This technique allows both hands of the puppet to move freely, expanding on the original style’s expressive footwork. It enables faster, more dynamic movements of the head, hands, and legs.
This innovation has attracted attention from theater professionals worldwide.
Even the stage director of the globally renowned musical “The Lion King” visited Hachioji to observe the technique, and elements of it were later incorporated into the production.
A Lifelong Commitment to Puppet Theater
Koryu emphasizes the diversity and artistic depth of Japanese puppet theater.
He hopes more people will experience its richness, from Kuruma Ningyo to other styles such as hand-operated puppets, rod puppets, string puppets, shadow theater, and mechanical karakuri puppets.
By preserving tradition while continuing to innovate, he remains a leading figure in the world of Japanese puppetry, sharing its unique appeal with audiences both in Japan and around the world.
Reading his story is just the beginning.
Meet the master and experience Kuruma Ningyo for yourself.
