HchiojiKurumaNingyo　NishikawaKoryuTroup

Hachioji Kuruma Ningyo
Hachioji Kuruma Ningyo is a form of puppet theatre created by the first Koryu Nishikawa around
the end of the Edo period. It is called Kuruma Ningyo because the puppeteer sits on a small seat
with roller wheels-the rokuro-kuruma-and operates the puppet-the ningyo.This small seat,and the
fact that only one person is needed to operate one puppet,distinguishes Kuruma Ningyo from Bunraku,in which three people are needed to operate each puppet.This one -to-one relationship allows great flexibility and realism as the puppet and the puppeteer move in unison.

The Koryu Nishikawa Troupe
The Koryu Nishikawa Troupe,while continuing to perform traditional works of the Edo Period,
is forever seeking new directions snd fresh innovation in order to keep the spirit of the troupe,and
hence the performances,vibrant and creative.Hachioji Kuruma Ningyo was designated as an
Intangible Cultual Asset by the Tokyo government in 1962.The national government recommended that it be recorded as an Intangible Folk Custom Cultural Asset in1996.Performances are not
limited to Japan. Kuruma Ningyo has been enthusiastically received in a number of foreign countries. For more information on Kuruma Ningyo and Nishikawa Koryu Troupe,including membership,call or fax:042-652-1222 email kurumaningyo@jasper.dti.ne.jp

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The chronological table
1825
First Nishikawa　Koryu was born in Ochiai-mura,SAITAMA.
1861ー1863
First Nishikawa Koryu created the KURUMANINGYO.
1872
Senuma Taro became a disciple of Nishikawa Koryu.
1956
This was appointed by an　 intangible cultural asset of Hachioji-shi.
1962
This was appointed by an intangible　folklore cultural asset of Tokyo.
1983
This was appointed by an intangible cultural asset of Tokyo.
1989
Nishikawa　Koryu of the fourth generation won a prize for Minister of Education culture service.
1994
This was appointed by an intangible cultural asset of Japan.
Nishikawa　Koryu of the fifth generation did a performance to commemorate at the succession of the master's name performance.

Nishikawa　Koryu of the fifth generation gives a performance now in all the countries of the world.