| ||||||
|
|
  (in Oguchi and Tsurugi) This puppet manipulation technique has a history of more than 300 years. The Japanese government has designated the show as a National Important Intangible Folklore Treasure. It has been preserved in Oguchi village's Higashi Futakuchi area as the "Higashi Futakuchi puppet" and in Fukaze area, now submerged under the water as the result of a dam project, as the "Fukaze puppet". "Deku" is a simple puppet clad in a kimono costume and made of a rod with a head on one end. The Deku performer manipulates each puppet to the accompaniment of unique melodies, sounds of shamisen, a banjo-like musical instrument, and beating of feet. It is said that "the dancing of Deku puppets makes one lose sense of time and feel happier than when having a feast". The show makes the spectators feel a sense of togetherness. |
    |
|
|