The History of Hachioji Kuruma Ningyo

During the Edo period, ningyō jōruri (puppet theater) was typically performed using sannin-zukai, a technique in which three puppeteers operate a single puppet.
However, as new forms of entertainment arrived from overseas in the late Edo period, the popularity of style began to decline.

In 1825, Ryukichi Yamagishi (later known as the first Koryu Nishikawa), born in present-day Hanno City in Saitama, developed a new approach. He created a style in which a single puppeteer sits on a small wheeled cart (rokuro-guruma) and operates the puppet alone.
This innovation spread throughout the Tama region and across eastern Japan.

Since being introduced to Hachioji in the Meiji era, the tradition has been preserved by the Koryu Nishikawa troupe and embraced by locals, especially those connected to the city’s historic silk and textile industries.

Hachioji Kuruma Ningyo performances feature traditional narrative styles such as sekkyō jōruri and gidayū-bushi, while also collaborating with contemporary artists. Since a performance in Moscow in 1976, the troupe has actively presented both classical and modern works overseas.

Puppet Heads (Kashira) and Costumes

The Nishikawa troupe carefully preserves more than 120 puppet heads, known as kashira. Each one is intricately handcrafted. Artisans carve the face from Japanese cypress (hinoki), split it into two halves, and install delicate internal mechanisms. The surface is finished with multiple layers of gofun (a white pigment made from shell powder) and nikawa (a natural glue). Real human hair is used to create lifelike expressions.

Learn the History and Explore the Archive

Japan is often described as a treasure trove of puppet theater. This art form has long been deeply connected to daily life and culture, and today there are said to be around 130 puppet troupes across the country.

While Bunraku is the most famous example, each region has developed its own unique techniques. In the Tohoku region, puppets are typically operated by a single performer (te-zukai), while in Fukushima and Nagano, the three-person style remains common. Awaji Island and Tokushima are especially renowned centers of puppet theater.

Some of the puppets even use human hair dating back to the Edo period. After an in-depth introduction, you will be guided into a special storage warehouse where historic puppet heads, as well as hands and feet components, have been carefully preserved for generations.

Watch from the Front Row

The Nishikawa Koryu troupe holds regular monthly performances, often featuring younger performers who are shaping the future of this tradition. In recent years, a new generation of puppeteers has emerged, bringing fresh energy to the stage. Their growth is helping to revitalize Hachioji’s cultural scene and ensure the continued evolution of Kuruma Ningyo.

A recently developed style called Shin Kuruma Ningyo allows the puppeteer to control both arms independently, in addition to the expressive leg movements traditionally enabled by the wheeled cart. This innovation enables faster, more rhythmic movements involving the head, hands, and feet. It has attracted international attention, including from the stage director of the globally renowned musical The Lion King, who visited Hachioji for research. The technique has since been incorporated into the production.

Try Your Hand at Puppeteering

After the performance, Autabi participants are invited to take part in a special hands-on experience. Step onto the stage and learn how to operate a Kuruma Ningyo puppet. You will practice creating facial expressions, moving the arms, and controlling the unique wheeled base (rokuro-guruma).

Kuruma Ningyo is defined by its single-operator technique, where one performer controls the entire puppet. Through this experience, you will gain a deeper appreciation for both the skill and complexity involved. This rare opportunity offers a deeper understanding of one of Japan’s most distinctive traditional performing arts.