See it・ Hear it ・ Touch it
A World Shadow Art Experience
OVERVIEW
WORLD SHADOW ART FESTIVAL Vol.3 in Tokyo
DATE&TIME
September 26, 2026 (Sat) 12:30 - 18:00
September 27, 2026 (Sun) 10:30 - 17:00
VENUE
Puk Puppet Theatre (Shinjuku, Tokyo)
8 minutes walk from JR Shinjuku Station
ABOUT
Shadow puppetry artists from Japan, Canada, and Indonesia will gather together to perform five shadow puppetry productions over two days. Our theme this years is "a festival you can experience, not just watch." The event will also features shadow puppet workshops, a hands-on shadow puppet exhibition corner, live music performances with traditional Indonesian Gamelan and violin music. Also there will be a one-night-only special collaboration between the artists.
Come discover the mysterious and boundless art of shadows.
TIME TABLE
WHAT'S ON
Journey Across Five Different 'Shadow Art Worlds'
Shadow artists from Japan, Canada, and Indonesia, who are active both in Japan and internationally, come together to perform five shows over two days. They will showcase a variety of shadow plays, including Chinese and Indonesian shadow puppetry, sand art, and object shadow theater. The event also features live musical performances with gamelan and violin. At the end of the first day, the artists will collaborate together in a special performance.
Experience Shadow Art
From the basement theater up to the 5th floor, every space becomes a shadow playground. The event is packed with exhibits you can see and touch, including art installations on the staircases, interactive displays on the 5th floor, and photo booths. On the second day, workshops will be held to allow for a deeper experience of the "playing with shadows" concept.
VENUE VERTICAL MAP
ARTISTS
JAPAN
Hokekyo Shadow Play Theatre
After studying traditional shadow puppetry in Indonesia for seven years, Fun Haruya developed his own unique style of shadow play. He experiments with creating puppets using various techniques and boldly takes on challenges such as performing while drawing sand art or using ink wash paintings. His distinct narration style and surreal stories are often referred to as the "Hokekyo World."
JAPAN×CANADA
Mochinosha Book of Shadowz
A shadow puppet company formed by a Canadian and a Japanese artist. They transform two-dimensional shadow art into a three-dimensional experience, creating "live analog movies." They have performed in over 50 cities across 10 countries worldwide and have won numerous awards both domestically and internationally.
JAPAN
Shadow Artist SAKURA
A shadow artist who reached her own unique method of expression, influenced by the world of marionettes and various traditional shadow arts, centered around Chinese shadow puppetry. Sakura creates a wide range of works, including collaborations with dancers and musicians, exhibitions, and picture books. Sakura has also produced shadow art for numerous media outlets, including the Benesse Channel, a Kinmokusei music video (starring Aoi Miyazaki), and NHK's "The Beauty of Pots" (Bi no Tsubo). Sakura studied under Seiji Fujishiro, Japan's leading pioneer in shadow art.
JAPAN×INDONESIA
Magika Mamejika
A shadow puppet company composed of Indonesian and Japanese members. They perform a contemporary version of "Wayang Kulit," Indonesia's traditional shadow puppetry. The core members are Yogyakarta-born Nanang Ananto Wichaksono (puppeteer) and Osaka-born Yuri Nishida (gamelan player). While exploring the roots of traditional performing arts, they flexibly incorporate various techniques to create a unique world distinct from conventional shadow theater.
CANADA
Mind of a Snail
A shadow puppetry duo based in Vancouver, Canada. Utilizing multiple overhead projectors alongside original music and clowning techniques, they specialize in weaving visual stories with a unique worldview. They have performed at major performing arts festivals across Canada and the United States, earning numerous awards. In their recent Asian tours, they have had performances and workshops at institutions such as the Seoul Institute of the Arts in South Korea and the Kaohsiung Museum of Shadow Puppet in Taiwan.
CREDIT
Organizers: Japan Association of Professional Puppet Theaters, Mochinosha Book of Shadowz
Supported by: Arts Council Tokyo (Grant for Creating Artistic and Cultural Attractions / "Puppet Arts Festival in Tokyo" Participating Program)
In Association With UNIMA Japan
Venue: PUK Puppet Theatre (2-12-3 Yoyogi, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo)
Inquiries: info@mochinosha.com
Related Event: Puppet Arts Festival in Tokyo