kamishibai

[Greg Johnson]

There seems to be some connection between kamishibai and emakimono (picture
scrolls with accompanying narratives. Emakimono were apparently used
initially in the dissemination of Buddhism but came to carry secular
entertainment purposes as well by the mid Heian period.) Kamishibai use
hasn't completely died out.  One can see kamishibai performances on Japanese
children's TV programs.  Story card sets with picture on one side and script
on the other are available in Japanese public libraries. My kids check them
out and bring them home like they would books. They are still used in
nurseries, kindergartens, and primary schools. My primary school son and his
classmates sometimes make them when their turn comes to perform at a school
assembly or just for a lark to entertain kids in lower grades.

Greg Johnson

> Does anyone know more about this practice in Japan?
> Or similar examples of a kamishibaiya-like business elsewhere
> in the world? 
> Is this a unique piece of Japanese visual culture?
> 
> Many thanks for any leads,
> Dick Chalfen
> Emeritus, Anthro. Temple U.