A hundred years from now, someone else will encounter them...
We want to protect the stage where the puppets come to life.
A tradition passed down since the Edo period-
To carry a single thread into the future.
We, 一糸座(Isshi-za), are among the few remaining heirs to the 400-year-old tradition of 糸あやつり人形(“ Ito Ayatsuri Ningyo ”, a traditional form of Japanese string puppetry). This art, which has moved audience since the Edo periodo, has been carefully preserved through generations by the creativity and passion of devoted puppeteers.
But now, 一糸座(Isshi-za) faces a crisis that threatens to extinguish this long-burning flame.
Soaring costs, a sharp decline in school touring performances—once our main source of income—and unavoidable cancellations have left us in a critical financial state.
We’ve done our best to combine multiple revenue streams, but the severity of the situation has grown beyond what our efforts alone can overcome.Even the daily cost of maintaining our rehearsal studio has become a heavy burden. We now face the urgent and painful question,
“Will we be able to perform next year? Or the year after?”
Without people to carry them on in the present, traditions cannot reach the future. If this delicate “thread of life” breaks, it may never be restored.
That’s why we’ve launched this crowdfunding campaign. To ensure that this thread, kept alive by countless puppeteers before us, is not lost—but passed on. We need your help to do that.
Your support will protect these irreplaceable puppets, and create the kind of stage that could move someone’s heart—even 100 years from now. Please join us in weaving this future together.
This is not just a plea—it is our determined challenge for facing an existential crisis...
It is a heartfelt request to help us preserve the future meeting between puppets, puppeteers, and new audiences yet to come.
We ask for your warm support, so that this 400-year-old “thread of life” may be carried forward into the next century.
一糸座(Isshi-za) is facing an existential crisis.
一糸座(Isshi-za), a traditional Japanese string puppet theater company, has continued to carry the torch passed down by generations of puppeteers—cherishing this legacy and working hard to pass it on to the next 100 years. Even in difficult circumstances, we have never stopped trying. However, like many performing arts groups, we are now facing an increasingly harsh environment. Soaring prices and other recent economic pressures have pushed us into a financial crisis.
Until now, we’ve managed to keep going by combining multiple sources of income—essentially living hand-to-mouth, one project at a time. But now, things have worsened to a point where our efforts alone can no longer sustain us. We have reached our absolute limit.
In addition—and this is something difficult to write publicly—we faced a major, unforeseen challenge in 2024 that forced us to cancel one of our scheduled performances. This cancellation resulted in a substantial financial loss, which further deepened our crisis.
One of 一糸座(Isshi-za)’s most important revenue streams has been our school touring performances, where we present 人形浄瑠璃(“Ningyō Jōruri”, a form of traditional Japanese puppet theater) to children across Japan. For nearly 20 years, we were selected annually to deliver performances at schools nationwide. However, changes to the funding and selection system last year caused a dramatic drop in the number of schools on our tour. This year, we are performing at only one-tenth the number of schools we did two years ago. As a result, our financial situation is deteriorating rapidly. (We fully recognize that our heavy reliance on this tour-based income was a risk, and we are now actively seeking new, more sustainable revenue streams.)
In addition, our self-produced public performances—held only once or twice a year—are not designed to turn a profit. Ticket sales are used to cover venue rental, performers’ fees, staff wages, and production costs, but they don’t generate surplus income for the company.
All of these challenges have added up, and our financial foundation is now deeply shaken. We are even struggling to cover the maintenance costs of our rehearsal studio, our home base for daily practice.
At this rate, the light of this tradition—carried on for 400 years since the Edo period—could be extinguished with our generation. And once a traditional art is lost, it can never be truly restored.
Until now, our troupe members have faced every hardship with optimism and a strong sense of purpose. But today, the reality we face is stark,
“Can we even make it through this summer of 2025?”
The fear that we may not be able to stage performances next year is no longer a distant worry—it is closing in on us now.
If we can overcome this crisis…
One of 一糸座(Isshi-za)’s greatest strengths is our ability to produce both classical performances and original works created in collaboration with contemporary theater artists. In fact, because performance planning typically happens two to three years in advance, we already have productions scheduled for this year and next. From this autumn onward, we are preparing a number of ambitious productions—works that go beyond traditional forms, and truly reflect the spirit of 一糸座(Isshi-za).
And yet, despite all this, we now find ourselves standing at the edge of a cliff. Right now, in 2025, we are facing a financial crisis that threatens to undo everything. But if we can make it through this moment—if we can survive this one critical year—then we believe the light of 糸あやつり人形(“ Ito Ayatsuri Ningyo ”, a traditional form of Japanese string puppetry) can continue to shine into the future. We are even beginning to see the first signs of recovery ahead.
■ November 2025
New Production: Fujin Raijin-zu (Wind and Thunder Gods) — Co-created with Masahiko AKUTA
This original production marks another collaboration with playwright Masahiko AKUTA, whose creative partnership with Dennai EDO (Third-generation Isshi YOUKI) began in 1999 with their first joint work at the Youki-za. Their artistic bond has continued even after Edo’s departure from Youki-za and the founding of 一糸座(Isshi-za).
■ February 2026
New Production: The Melancholy of the Artificial Man — Co-created with Kenji AZUMA (Sajikidōji Theatre Company)
Following the success of our 2024 debut collaboration Collapse – A Dream in Pursuit of Moby Dick, which received glowing reviews and many requests for a revival, this second co-production between 一糸座(Isshi-za) and playwright Kenji Azuma brings a new, original story to life.
■ August 2026
Creating the Classics of Tomorrow: New 人形浄瑠璃(“ Ningyō Jōruri ”, a form of traditional Japanese puppet theater)
The first installment of our project to carry 糸あやつり人形浄瑠璃 (“ Ito Ayatsuri Ningyō Jōruri ”, a form of traditional Japanese string puppet theater) into the future. This new production explores an entirely new genre for 一糸座(Isshi-za), aiming to introduce puppet jōruri to younger generations and those unfamiliar with the classical form. Our goal is to create a new work that will become part of the “classics of the future.”
■ 2026 (Date TBD)
人形浄瑠璃(“ Ningyō Jōruri ”) at Shrines and Temples in Asakusa
The second phase of our “Future Classics” project! We plan to stage 糸あやつり人形浄瑠璃 (“ Ito Ayatsuri Ningyō Jōruri ”) in Asakusa—the place where Dennai EDO’s grandfather, the 9th Magozaburō YUKI, revived string puppetry during the Meiji era, and where his father, Sessai YUKI (the 10th Magozaburō YUKKI), was also based. A meaningful performance that honors our roots while looking ahead.
However, in order to move forward with these upcoming productions, we must first find a way to cross this critical bridge—the “now.”
Over the past year, we have done everything we can to overcome this crisis. We’ve tried many approaches and planted many seeds of hope. Thanks to these efforts, we’ve met people who have said, “I want to support 一糸座(Isshi-za)”, and who have offered their help in many ways.
Most importantly, the number of people who genuinely look forward to 一糸座(Isshi-za)’s performances has steadily grown year by year.
We are deeply committed to bringing our productions to those audiences—people who truly care about what we do and want to see this art continue.
The Cultural Significance of 糸あやつり人形(“ Ito Ayatsuri Ningyo ”)
It is said that Japan’s tradition of moving puppets originated roughly 1,200 years ago, traveling eastward along the Silk Road from the western regions of Asia—what is now Afghanistan and Pakistan—through China and the Korean Peninsula, and eventually arriving in Japan.
Over time, puppets in Japan developed into two main forms, hand-operated and string-operated. By the early Edo period, string puppets resembling the modern form had emerged and were enjoyed by the townspeople of Edo (present-day Tokyo). 糸あやつり人形(“Ito Ayatsuri Ningyo”, a traditional form of Japanese string puppetry) has since evolved into a highly refined traditional performing art, passed down for over 400 years.
One of the things that most surprises audiences when we perform overseas is the incredible delicacy and expressive power of the puppets’ movements.
Japanese string puppetry developed hand in hand with 浄瑠璃(“Jōruri”, a traditional form of Japanese narrative chanting accompanied by shamisen music). To stage the masterpieces written by playwrights such as Chikamatsu Monzaemon, puppeteers needed a level of technical skill that could express deep emotions over long performances. This gave rise to uniquely sensitive and nuanced puppets, capable of conveying subtle feelings and inner turmoil.
Over the past 400 years, countless puppeteers have dedicated their lives to perfecting this art form. Through tireless ingenuity and personal devotion, they developed uniquely Japanese techniques, giving rise to puppets with an extraordinary expressive power—unlike any found elsewhere in the world. This tradition exists today only because of the generations of puppeteers who poured their hearts and lives into it. As one of the few remaining heirs to this legacy, we at 一糸座(Isshi-za) have continued to take the stage—together with our puppets.
What we seek to preserve is not just a cultural artifact, but a living art form—one that has survived countless crises and evolved with the times. Dennai EDO (Third-generation Isshi YOUKI) was born into Youki-za, one of only two official puppet troupes recognized by the Tokugawa Shogunate during the Edo period. The rich history and techniques of that lineage live on in us today.
Traditional culture can only be passed on to the future if there are people keeping it alive in the present.
Our goal is not to preserve 糸あやつり人形(Ito Ayatsuri Ningyō) merely as a “classical” art form, but to ensure its continued growth and relevance as a living art, resonating with the present age.
How 糸あやつり人形(“ Ito Ayatsuri Ningyo ”)
Has Been Preserved Through the Ages
The path to preserving this art has never been an easy one.
In the Meiji era, the rise of Western culture brought Japanese string puppetry (Ito Ayatsuri Ningyō) to the brink of extinction. It was the grandfather of Dennai EDO, Artistic Director of 一糸座(Isshi-za,Third-generation Isshi YUKKI), the 9th-generation Magozaburō YOUKI, who saved the tradition from disappearing.
A distant relative of the 8th-generation Magozaburō YOUKI, the ninth took an interest in puppetry at the age of 13. His extraordinary talent was quickly recognized, and he inherited the name Magozaburō YOUKI at just 21. He then embarked on a 10-year journey across Japan, performing in towns nationwide. During this time, he invented a new form of puppet theater in which the puppeteer spoke lines directly—drawing inspiration from 歌舞伎(Kabuki). He refined this unique form into what became known as 改良人形芝居(”Kairyō Ningyō Shibai” is a reformed style of traditional Japanese puppet theater). At age 31, after completing his travels, he made a triumphant debut performance of 改良人形芝居(Kairyō Ningyō Shibai) at the famed Ichimura-za theater in Asakusa. The show was a massive success, playing to packed audiences night after night. It was said,
“When Magozaburō performs, all the theaters within eight town blocks fall silent.”
This earned him the nickname “The Scourge of Eight Towns” (Hacchō Arashi), reflecting both his popularity and the revival of 糸あやつり人形(“Ito Ayatsuri Ningyo”, a traditional form of Japanese string puppetry) under his influence. Without the 9th-generation Magozaburō YUKKI, this centuries-old art might have vanished entirely.
Because of his pivotal role, he is often referred to as the Restorer of 糸あやつり人形(“ Ito Ayatsuri Ningyo ”).
His puppets were admired even by literary giants such as Sōseki NATSUME and Shiki MASAOKA, as well as the renowned Nihonga painter Kiyokata KABURAKI.
Left side: Sessai YOUKI (the 10th-generation Magozaburō YOUKI), Right side: 9th-generation Magozaburō YOUKI
That spirit was passed on to Sessai YUKKI (the 10th-generation Magozaburō YOUKI), father of Dennai EDO (the 3rd-generation Isshi YOUKI). Through the turmoil of World War II and the chaotic years that followed, he persevered under unimaginable conditions—preserving classical string puppetry while also forging new ground. He actively collaborated with contemporary theater artists, elevating 糸あやつり人形(Ito Ayatsuri Ningyō) into a modern performing art.
Sessai’s artistry was admired by leading figures in Japanese culture, including Nihonga painters Taikan YOKOYAMA and Shinsui ITO. He was also the first person ever granted permission to adapt the works of literary master Ryūnosuke AKUTAGAWA for the puppet stage. In the vibrant theater movement of the Shōwa era, Sessai earned the respect of a new generation of young dramatists. Abroad, his genius and artistry earned him the nickname “The Hands of God.”
Sessai YOUKI (the 10th-generation Magozaburō YOUKI) international performances
Preserving a single traditional art form is no easy feat. It is like shielding a fragile flame from fierce winds—something only possible through relentless dedication and sacrifice. Our predecessors protected this art with extraordinary effort, ensuring that it could be passed down to us today.
The tradition preserved by the 9th-generation Magozaburō YOUKI, and the innovation pioneered by the 10th-generation Magozaburō YOUKI (Sessai YOUKI), together form the foundation of 一糸座(Isshi-za)’s mission. This spirit of “Tradition and Innovation” is at the very heart of all that we do. Before his passing, Sessai YOUKI(the 10th-generation Magozaburō YOUKI )—father of Dennai EDO (3rd-generation Isshi YOUKI)—left behind a final wish,
“May each of my children form their own troupe, and carry this art into the world.”
With those words close to his heart, Dennai EDO, then known as Isshi YOUKI, made the courageous decision to leave the renowned Youki-za, where he had long served at the center of its artistry. At the age of 55, he founded his own company, 一糸座(Isshi-za).
More than 20 years have passed since. In that time, 一糸座(Isshi-za) has dedicated itself not only to preserving classical works and nurturing young talent, but also to creating new expressions—collaborating with international directors and adapting modern literature for the puppet stage. We continue to seek bold new directions for this ancient art form.
Sessai YOUKI once wrote in his own words,
“If I do not continue this work, 糸あやつり人形(“Ito Ayatsuri Ningyo”) will die out.”
It is now our turn to carry that burden—and that honor. 糸あやつり人形(“Ito Ayatsuri Ningyo”, a traditional form of Japanese string puppetry), which our ancestors risked everything to preserve, must now be protected by us. And in turn, we must pass it on—to the next generation of puppeteers, and to the future.
Profile
Left side: 九代目結城孫三郎(9th-generation Magozaburō YOUKI)
・Dennai EDO‘s grandfather.
・Lived from 1869(Meiji 2) to 1947(Showa 22).
・He was the first to create what became known as 改良人形芝居(”Kairyō Ningyō Shibai” is a reformed style of traditional Japanese puppet theater) and helped it gain widespread popularity. He is credited with reviving 糸あやつり人形(Ito Ayatsuri Ningyō) at a time when it was on the verge of disappearing, and is now regarded as its “restorer” or “reviver”.
Middle side: 結城雪斎(“Sessai YOUKI” the 10th-generation Magozaburō YOUKI)
・Dennai EDO’s Father (First-generation Isshi YOUKI)
・Born in 1907 (Meiji 40) – Passed away in 1997 (Heisei 9)
・He trained as a puppeteer from a young age under the 9th-generation Magozaburō YOUKI. Through his collaboration with Enoken, the “King of Comedy” in the Shōwa era, he helped establish a new style of performance in which puppets and human actors shared the stage, creating many memorable productions.
In the postwar period, he also played a key role in Japan’s early television era, becoming the first resident puppeteer for NHK during its experimental broadcasts. Admired by many rising theater artists during the Shōwa-era small-theater boom, he was celebrated overseas as a genius puppeteer and was often praised as having “the hands of a god.”
Right side: 江戸伝内(“Dennai EDO” 3rd-generation Isshi YOUKI)
・Born in 1948 (Showa 23).
・He was born as the third son of Sessai YOUKI. He began working with puppets at the age of three and made his stage debut at five. At 25, he succeeded to the name of the third-generation Isshi YOUKI. He was at the heart of Youki-za’s activities.
In 2003, honoring his father’s dying wish, he set out on his own to promote Japanese string puppetry and established 一糸座(Isshi-za). In 2022, he handed down the name “Isshi” to his son and adopted the stage name “Dennai EDO”—a title once held by a master puppeteer of the Edo period, which had disappeared after a single generation.
A Challenge to Preserve 糸あやつり人形(Ito Ayatsuri Ningyō)
Dennai EDO (the third-generation Isshi YOUKI) left the Youki-za, where he was born and raised, in 2003 to establish his own company. With neither a single puppet in hand nor even a costume to call his own, he stepped into the unknown—and through countless trials, he nurtured 一糸座(Isshi-za) little by little, until it grew into the vibrant company it is today.
一糸座(Isshi-za) is dedicated to both preserving 糸あやつり人形浄瑠璃 (“Ito Ayatsuri Ningyō Jōruri”, a form of traditional Japanese string puppet theater) and advancing its artistic evolution by collaborating with theater artists from Japan and around the world, bringing this timeless art into the realm of contemporary theater.
Over the years, 一糸座(Isshi-za) has undertaken a wide range of activities to promote and further develop string puppetry. These include producing one to two original performances each year, presenting classical works at elementary and junior high schools across Japan through the Agency for Cultural Affairs’ touring program, participating in productions organized by other theater companies, and performing classical pieces abroad while offering workshops at universities.
■Recent Major Activities (Classical and Contemporary Stage Productions)
・May 2022: Ceremonial Performance Marking the Name Succession of the Fourth Isshi YUKKI and the Renaming to Edo Den’nai (Classical)
・March 2023: Shōjo Kamen (Contemporary Production)
・October 2023: The Hunter Grafus – Japan–Norway Co-Production, performed in both countries (New Production)
・November 2023: European Tour (Classical Repertoire)
・March 2024: Collapse: In Pursuit of the White Whale (Contemporary Production)
■Agency for Cultural Affairs Touring Performances
For nearly 20 years, we have traveled across Japan, bringing workshops and classical puppet performances to elementary and junior high schools. Through these performances, we aim to share the beauty of traditional performing arts with children.
This initiative began in the postwar period with Sessai YOUKI (the 10th-generation Magozaburō YOUKI), father of Dennai EDO, who felt deeply committed to fostering emotional and cultural development in young audiences.
Today, the program is supported by Japan’s Agency for Cultural Affairs, but we proudly continue his mission, touring the country with the same heartfelt purpose.
■Participation in Productions Hosted by Other Companies
In addition to our own productions, participating in performances organized by other companies provides valuable opportunities to introduce 糸あやつり人形(“Ito Ayatsuri Ningyo”, a traditional form of Japanese string puppetry) to entirely new audiences. It also allows us to collaborate with a wide range of talented theatre professionals.
・2015 – Itoshi no Hakanashi
・2017–2023 – Get in Touch “Mazekoze Ichiza”
・2017 – "Kaspar"
・2018 – "Kinuginu"
・2019 – "Hai to, Hai no Hai (Ashes and the Ash of Ashes)"
・2023 – "Shinkoten Tanoshiza NOBODY"
・2025 – "Kamigami no Sato (The Village of the Gods)"
■Workshops
Across continents and generations, 一糸座(Isshi-za) brings the ancient art of 糸あやつり人形(“Ito Ayatsuri Ningyo”, a traditional form of Japanese string puppetry) to life through immersive workshops and demonstrations.
In universities both in Japan and abroad, we invite aspiring theatre artists to experience firsthand the subtle magic of 糸あやつり人形(“Ito Ayatsuri Ningyo”)—a form born of centuries of devotion, delicacy, and imagination.
At public venues and cultural events, we open the curtain for people of all ages to encounter the charm of these living dolls. The unique wooden control bar, unlike any seen elsewhere in the world, reveals the refined craftsmanship that allows a puppet to breathe, grieve, or rejoice in silence.
By lifting a single puppet, one feels its weight—not only physical, but historical. It is a quiet weight, heavy with time, memory, and human artistry passed down through generations.
・2015 – Workshop and performance at the University of Bologna, Italy
・2023 – Workshop at Ernst Busch Academy of Dramatic Arts, Germany
・2025 – Hands-on puppet workshop at 一糸座(Isshi-za) Pop-up Store, at Kokubunji Marui, Japan
A Pivotal Turning Point for 一糸座(Isshi-za), The COVID-19 Pandemic
The year 2020 marked a profound turning point in the journey of 一糸座(Isshi-za). Like so many artistic groups in Japan and around the world, we too found ourselves stripped of our regular lives during the global COVID-19 pandemic.
All our scheduled performances, including international tours, were abruptly canceled. Faced with an uncertain future, 一糸座(Isshi-za) made a bold and forward-looking decision, to establish a new base—a rehearsal studio and creative home.
It was a challenge born of adversity, undertaken with the belief that we must keep moving forward even in the hardest of times. With the generous support of many, we transformed a former sushi restaurant into our current atelier—by our own hands. It became not only a rehearsal space, but also a small theater with a café attached.
This new atelier enabled us to hold regular performances of classical works, something that had been difficult to achieve in larger, rented venues due to financial constraints. For young puppeteers to truly grow in their craft, they must perform classical repertoire before live audiences—an experience irreplaceable by practice alone.
Now, four years have passed since our atelier opened. Thanks to this space, we’ve been able to stage many classical performances, and our younger members have steadily acquired both technique and confidence. Our long-cherished dream—to preserve and pass down the art of 糸あやつり人形(“Ito Ayatsuri Ningyo”, a traditional form of Japanese string puppetry)—has come closer to reality through the establishment of this atelier.
But the atelier brought us another unexpected gift. Until then, 一糸座(Isshi-za)’s office had been tucked away in an anonymous room in a building, barely known to the local community in Kodaira. But once we opened a café on a lively shopping street, we became visible. More people began attending our shows, and we formed meaningful new connections with our neighbors.
The atelier itself is not large, but its intimacy allows audiences to feel the breath of the puppets, to sense their presence just an arm’s length away. It is a rare and precious setting for watching traditional puppetry—and the joy and satisfaction on the faces of our visitors, many of whom return again and again, gives us immeasurable encouragement.
This atelier has become a place of deep importance to us. And yet, because of our current financial difficulties, we now face the heartbreaking possibility of losing it.
To master the art of 糸あやつり人形(“Ito Ayatsuri Ningyo”) requires long, continuous training. Puppeteers must spend time with the puppets daily—adjusting them, learning their weight and balance, discovering their character through repeated encounters. And nothing compares to the growth that comes from performing in front of a live audience. We want to protect this space that makes such experiences possible. We want to keep this theater alive, so we can carry 糸あやつり人形(“Ito Ayatsuri Ningyo”) into the future.
But we’ve reached a point where we can no longer overcome these obstacles on our own. That is why we’ve launched this crowdfunding campaign—to not only weather this storm, but to let the world know that 糸あやつり人形(“Ito Ayatsuri Ningyo”) is alive, evolving, and worth preserving.
What We Hope to Achieve with Your Support
As mentioned earlier, 一糸座(Isshi-za) has long operated in a hand-to-mouth fashion—barely sustaining itself by using the modest proceeds from one production to fund the next. We managed to keep going by maintaining a delicate balance—but that balance has now been broken.
A combination of factors—rising costs of materials and operations, cancelled performances resulting in deficits, and a sharp decline in touring opportunities—has placed an overwhelming strain on our finances.
Every month, we struggle to cover the fixed costs of our atelier. Our core members continue working tirelessly, almost entirely without pay, in the hope of turning things around. But the reality is that we are now on the verge of being unable to make it through the summer.
Still, we are not giving up. We continue planting seeds for the future, pursuing projects that, with time and support, we believe will begin to yield returns by next year. But in order to survive this year and reach that future, we urgently need help—to preserve our atelier, and to keep our company alive.
Your contribution to this crowdfunding campaign is not just to help us through the current crisis. It is a vital investment in the future of 一糸座(Isshi-za), helping us move toward a more sustainable, self-sufficient model of operation.
Our initial goal is to raise JPY3,000,000. But to realize the future we are working toward, our ultimate goal is set at JPY10,000,000. We cannot get there without your support.
【Use of Funds if the First Goal is Achieved】
■To overcome the current sever financial crisis and continue our activities: JPY 3,000,000
1. Partial repayment of loans taken out during the COVID-19 pandemic
2. Partial coverage of staff wages
3. Approximately six months’ worth of maintenance costs for our rehearsal space and puppet storage—both vital to our survival
Should we receive a contribution of JPY3,000,000, it would enable us to navigate the current critical financial challenges and continue our activities.
【Use of Funds Upon Reaching the Second Goal】
■Stabilize our finances and restore the company’s operations: JPY6,000,000
4. A portion of the costs needed to maintain our rehearsal space and puppet storage, which are vital to our operations(covering an additional six months, through August 2026)
5. A portion of the production costs for our atelier and in-house performances scheduled within the next year
We anticipate that by the end of our summer performance in 2026, there will be signs of financial recovery.
【Use of Funds if the Final Goal is Reached】
■Toward further financial recovery and greater public awareness of string puppetry: JPY10,000,000
6. Expand regular performances at our atelier to welcome more audience members
7. Strengthen outreach efforts through video streaming of our productions and diversify our revenue streams
8. Launch new projects in collaboration with private companies and local governments to reduce dependence on public grants
9. Allocate funds for puppet and stage set production to perform classical plays that 一糸座(isshi-za) has never staged before.
By increasing atelier performances and staging previously unperformed classical works, we will cultivate new puppeteers and ensure the future of 糸あやつり人形(“Ito Ayatsuri Ningyo”, a traditional form of Japanese string puppetry).
※All contributions will be utilized to sustain 一糸座(Isshi-za)`s ongoing endeavors to preserve and transmit the art of 糸あやつり人形(“Ito Ayatsuri Ningyo”) to future generations.
If this crowdfunding campaign succeeds and we are able to continue operating the company through next year, the various plans we are currently preparing will be set in motion, and we expect to see signs of financial stability. Furthermore, once we overcome this crisis and achieve financial recovery, we hope to focus our efforts on the following goals.
■Cultivating the Next Generation of Puppeteers for the Next 100 Years.
・Training programs for young puppeteers
・Establishing a supportive environment for their growth.
■Creating a Digital Archive to Preserve Classical Works and the Unique Puppets Used by Edo Den’nai. To ensure that these treasured elements of our craft can be passed down to future puppeteers.
■ Developing a Sustainable Support Structure
・Establishing sponsorship and supporter programs.
・Building a membership system to engage long-term allies.
Your support is a powerful step toward ensuring a future for 糸あやつり人形(“Ito Ayatsuri Ningyo”, a traditional form of Japanese string puppetry).
As a token of our gratitude, we will present a special performance at our atelier as part of the crowdfunding rewards.
What we can offer is what we do best—sharing the stage with you.
We believe the greatest way we can thank you is by performing this centuries-old art, entrusted to us over 400 years of history, with the utmost care and dedication. At the heart of the performance will be our two master puppeteers—Dennai EDO and Isshi YUKKI—alongside the entire 一糸座(Isshi-za) ensemble, united in spirit and skill.
We will give everything we have to make you feel that 糸あやつり人形(“Ito Ayatsuri Ningyo”) is a tradition worth preserving for the next 100, even 200 years. We invite you to experience this living art form up close, in the intimate setting of our atelier—a rare and precious space where every breath and gesture of the puppets can be felt.
So That 糸あやつり人形(“Ito Ayatsuri Ningyo”) May Continue to Meet New Audiences, Even 100 Years from Now
糸あやつり人形(“Ito Ayatsuri Ningyo”, a traditional form of Japanese string puppetry). has endured for over 400 years—not only because of the dedication of puppeteers, but also thanks to the audiences who have cherished these performances throughout the centuries. A puppet show is never complete with puppeteers alone; it lives only when it is witnessed.
Traditional performing arts are like a single thread, passed from the past through the present, and into the future. Today, that thread is fraying. Through this project, we hope to weave it forward together with you, believing in the enduring value of this art form and embracing our responsibility to carry it onward.
The name 一糸(Isshi), which we proudly carry as our company’s name, comes from the expression 一糸不乱(Isshi Furan), meaning “to manipulate puppets with unwavering focus, as if guided by a single thread.”
This name was given to Dennai EDO (the third-generation Isshi YUKKI) in his childhood by his father, Sessai YUKKI (the tenth-generation Magozaburō YOUKI), as a symbol of the life-long devotion expected of a true puppeteer. It has now been passed down for over a century.
At 一糸座(Isshi-za), we have lived true to that name—devoting our lives to a single, unbroken thread.
We are determined to strengthen that thread, to extend it far into the future. And to do so, we sincerely ask for your support.
Please help us bring this project to life.
Your support will raise the curtain on a stage 100 years from now, touching the hearts of future audiences.
We invite you to stand with us—as a partner in preserving and continuing this legacy.
With gratitude,
The Members of 糸あやつり人形一糸座(Ito Ayatsuri Ningyo Isshi-za)
Message of Support for the Project
Actress, Representative of Get in Touch
東 ちづる様(Ms. Chizuru AZUMA)
“糸あやつり人形一糸座(Ito Ayatsuri Ningyo Isshi-za)", is a treasure of Japan and something we can truly be proud of!
I’ll never forget the awe and shock I felt when I first saw one of their performances. The puppeteers who handcraft their puppets and breathe life into them onstage—this ensemble is a truly one-of-a-kind art form.
Wanting more people to see and experience their work, we’ve invited them to collaborate on various projects, including the Mazekoze Ichiza stage performances produced by Get in Touch, as well as the official video for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, “MAZEKOZE Island Tour.”
Each time, I’m reminded of just how extraordinary they are—absolutely breathtaking!
The thought that Isshi-za is now facing a threat to its very survival is simply unacceptable.
Let’s all come together to support 一糸座(Isshi-za)—a company that cherishes tradition while boldly embracing new creative challenges. Supporting them means nurturing and advancing the future of Japanese entertainment itself!
女流義太夫(Female Gidayū Narrator) / 竹本 越孝様(Ms. Koshikou TAKEMOTO)
義太夫三味線(Gidayū Shamisen Player) / 鶴澤 三寿々様(Ms. Sansuzu TSURUZAWA)
一糸座(Isshi-za) carries forward the rich traditions of the Edo period while continuing to evolve its artistry. Our connection with them runs deep—not only in our generation, but also through our teachers—especially through their long-standing ties to Joryū Gidayū¹ (female Gidayu narration).
Their creativity, technical mastery, and adventurous spirit are truly unmatched. People of all generations can enjoy their performances.
We wholeheartedly support Isshi-za’s crowdfunding campaign. Please don’t miss the chance to see their remarkable puppetry up close—it’s an unforgettable experience.
Singer-Songwriter
大藤 史様(Ms. Fumi ŌTŌ)
This spring, I had the honor of composing the music and theme song for 一糸座(Isshi-za)’s new string puppet play, Kamigami no Sato (The Village of the Gods) – where myth lives on as a guiding light.
When seen up close, the string puppets seem truly alive. Watching them stirred something deep inside me—like returning to the wonder of childhood. I couldn’t take my eyes off them. I was completely captivated.
These puppets gently bring back the tender feelings we may have forgotten—like the warmth of a parent’s or grandparent’s hands that comforted us when we were little.
I believe that watching a traditional string puppet performance like this not only brings joy, but also nurtures a sense of identity—connecting us with our history, our ancestors, and the spirit of Japan itself. This feeling becomes a source of strength to face tomorrow.
It is my heartfelt wish that many people will experience the stage of 一糸座(Isshi-za), and that the rich spirit of Japan will be passed down into the future.
I sincerely hope you will lend your support to help make that happen.
President, Sustainable Town Inc.
萩元 直樹様(Mr. Naoki HAGIMOTO)
Traditional culture is a precious gift passed down from those who came before us. The art of Japanese string puppetry has endured through countless challenges since the Edo period, and I deeply respect the passion and commitment of 一糸座(Isshi-za) as they continue to safeguard this tradition into the future.
I am always moved by the dedication of 一糸座(Isshi-za)’s members—many of whom are my contemporaries—including Isshi YOUKI, as they devote themselves wholeheartedly to daily rehearsals, performances, puppet-making, and the company’s operations.
And through the long history woven by Dennai EDO and Tamiko YOUKI, I feel the deep weight of nearly 400 years of time and artistry.
It has led me to reflect on this question,
Is it not our responsibility—those of us who cherish culture—to become the ones who now pass tradition on to the future?
I earnestly hope that 100 years from now, people will still be able to experience the beauty of string puppetry. The joy of future generations in discovering this art is something that we, in the present, are entrusted with. I’m already looking forward to next year’s stage!
That is why I wholeheartedly support 一糸座(Isshi-za)’s challenge. I invite all of you to join me in supporting them. Let us come together to pass this irreplaceable cultural treasure on to the future.
【Important Notes Regarding This Project】
※Please note that, due to unforeseen circumstances such as natural disasters or changes in the social climate—including the spread of COVID-19—certain events or reward-related activities may be canceled, postponed, or altered. In such cases, your contributions will be allocated toward any costs related to the cancellation or postponement, and we will not be able to offer refunds.
※Once the initial funding goal has been reached, no refunds, cancellations, or changes to the return items can be accepted. We kindly ask for your understanding and support under these terms.
※Messages submitted as “cheering comments” at the time of your contribution may be used for project updates, promotional materials, or other public communications related to this campaign.
Project Manager: Megumi TANAKA (糸あやつり人形一糸座 Ito Ayatsuri Ningyo Isshi-za)
Project Completion Date: December 31, 2026
【Project Overview and Use of Funds】
糸あやつり人形一糸座(Ito Ayatsuri Ningyo Isshi-za), a puppet theatre company dedicated to preserving the centuries-old tradition of Edo-period 糸あやつり人形(“Ito Ayatsuri Ningyo”, a traditional form of Japanese string puppetry), is currently facing an existential crisis due to severe financial difficulties. We are seeking your support to help ensure the company’s survival. Funds raised will be used to sustain our operations, including rehearsal space maintenance, partial repayment of loans, personnel costs, and production expenses for our self-produced performances.
Support Tiers for the Project
NOTICE:
◇Only credit card payments are accepted for international contributions. Please note that international payments may take several days to be processed. For this reason, we kindly ask that only supporters residing outside Japan use a credit card for payment.
◇Due to shipping limitations, we kindly ask international supporters not to select reward tiers that include merchandies only. If such a tier is selected, we may need to contact you directly to make arrangements. However, the following items can be selected by international supporters:
・【Bring a Puppet Home】 Classic Puppet Replica – Yaegaki-hime
・【Bring a Puppet Home】 Replica Puppet Set: Benkei and Ushiwakamaru from “Hashi Benkei”
・【Bring a Puppet Home】 Kotobuki Shishi Puppet
We kindly ask that you contact us first.
We sincerely appreciate your understanding and cooperation.
◇Please check here
for how to support our project ➡
タイトル
【映像を観て応援】
特別アトリエ公演 映像プレゼント
【Support by Watching】
Special Atelier Performance –
Video Access
No
1
Details:
•A URL link to a video recording of the Special Atelier Performance (This will contain the same content as the in-person event.Please refrain from sharing the video link publicly.)
•Your name will be listed in the 一糸座(Isshi-za) program booklet (small size, optional)
•A thank-you email including a link to a short puppet performance video
Pamphlet Name Listing
If you would like your name to be included in the 一糸座(Isshi-za) pamphlet, please enter your preferred name when prompted.
If you prefer not to be listed, simply write “No listing.”
Optional Additional Support
If you would like to further support our efforts, we warmly welcome you to combine this reward with the “Support with Your Heart” option.
15,000 yen + system usage fee
Availability: Unlimited
Scheduled delivery: March 2026
【観劇して応援】
一糸座の通常アトリエ公演へのご招待
【Support by Theatergoing】
Invitation to a Standard Atelier ｜in Kodaira, Tokyo
10,000 yen + system usage fee
Availability: Unlimited
Scheduled delivery: December 2026
No
2
Details:
•One ticket to a standard Atelier performance by 一糸座(Isshi-za)
•One seat per unit of support
•Venue: 一糸座(Isshi-za) Atelier in Kodaira City, Tokyo)
•Valid from December 2025 to December 2026(Multiple performances are planned during this period)
•Details about upcoming Atelier performances will be sent via email by the end of November 2025
•A thank-you email including a link to a short puppet performance video
•一糸座(Isshi-za)’s official program booklet
•Your name listed in the program booklet (small size, optional)
Pamphlet Name Listing:
If you would like your name to be included in the 一糸座(Isshi-za) pamphlet, please enter your preferred name when prompted.
If you prefer not to be listed, simply write “No listing.”
Optional Additional Support
If you would like to further support our efforts, we warmly welcome you to combine this reward with the “Support with Your Heart” option.
【観劇して応援】
特別アトリエ公演へのご招待｜
2025年9月19日（金）14:00-
【Support by Theatergoing】Invitation to a Special Atelier ｜September 19, 2025 (Fri) at 14:00 in Kodaira, Tokyo
20,000 yen + system usage fee
Availability: Limited to 30 seats
Scheduled delivery: September 2025
No
3
Details:
•Special Atelier Performance: Modoribashi and Tsunayakata
•Date and Time: Friday, September 19, 2025 at 14:00
•Venue: 一糸座(Isshi-za) Atelier (Kodaira City, Tokyo)
•One seat per unit of support
•One drink from the on-site café “Ōwani-dōri”
•A limited-edition tenugui (traditional Japanese hand towel)
•A thank-you email including a link to a short puppet performance video
•一糸座(Isshi-za)’s official program booklet
•Your name listed in the program booklet (medium size, optional)
Pamphlet Name Listing:
If you would like your name to be included in the 一糸座(Isshi-za) pamphlet, please enter your preferred name when prompted.
If you prefer not to be listed, simply write “No listing.”
Optional Additional Support:
If you would like to further support our efforts, we warmly welcome you to combine this reward with the “Support with Your Heart” option.
【観劇して応援】
特別アトリエ公演へのご招待｜
2025年9月20日（金）14:00-
【Support by Theatergoing】Invitation to a Special Atelier ｜September 20, 2025 (Sat) 14:00 in Kodaira, Tokyo
20,000 yen + system usage fee
Availability: Limited to 30 seats
Scheduled delivery: September 2025
No
4
Details:
•Special Atelier Performance: Modoribashi and Tsunayakata
•Date: Saturday, September 20, 2025 at 14:00
•Venue: 一糸座(Isshi-za) Atelier in Kodaira City, Tokyo
•One seat per contribution
•One drink at the café Ōwani Dōri
•Limited-edition tenugui (Japanese hand towel)
•Thank-you email with a link to a puppet video
•一糸座(Isshi-za) pamphlet
•Name listing in the pamphlet (medium size, optional)
Pamphlet Name Listing:
If you would like your name to be included in the 一糸座(Isshi-za) pamphlet, please enter your preferred name when prompted.
If you prefer not to be listed, simply write “No listing.”
Optional Additional Support:
If you would like to further support our efforts, we warmly welcome you to combine this reward with the “Support with Your Heart” option.
【観劇して応援】
2026年の主催公演へご招待
＋支援者限定バックステージツアー
【Support by Theatergoing】Invitation to the 2026 Main Performance + Exclusive Backstage Tour ｜in Japan
30,000 yen + platform fee
Availability: Limited to 100 seats
Estimated Delivery: December 2026
No
5
Details:
•Invitation to 一糸座(Isshi-za)’s 2026 Main Performance Choice of:
•One seat at two separate performances (premium seating), or Two seats (pair) for one performance (premium seating)
•Crowdfunding Exclusive: Backstage Tour You will be invited on a special backstage tour during the main performance, exclusively for supporters.
•Limited-edition tenugui (Japanese hand towel)
•Thank-you email with a link to a puppet video
•一糸座(Isshi-za) pamphlet
•Name listing in the pamphlet (medium size, optional)
Additional Notes:
•Seating arrangements may vary depending on the venue and performance content. We will contact you individually to coordinate seating.
•This invitation is valid from January to December 2026.
•Detailed performance information will be shared via email by the end of December 2025.
•Due to limited premium seating at some venues, the number of guests per performance may be restricted.
Pamphlet Name Listing:
If you would like your name to be included in the 一糸座(Isshi-za) pamphlet, please enter your preferred name when prompted.
If you prefer not to be listed, simply write “No listing.”
Optional Additional Support:
If you would like to further support our efforts, we warmly welcome you to combine this reward with the “Support with Your Heart” option.
【観劇して応援】
一糸座アトリエ貸し切り公演
（観覧人数：2名〜20名様まで）
【Support by Theatergoing】 Private Atelier by 一糸座(Isshi-za) (For 2–20 Guests)
in Kodaira, Tokyo
¥200,000 + platform fee
Availability: Unlimited
Estimated Delivery: December 2026
No
6
Details:
•Private performance by 一糸座(Isshi-za) at our atelier in Kodaira, Tokyo
•For groups of 2 to 20 guests
•Performance duration: approximately 60–90 minutes (to be decided in consultation with the supporter)
•Sample repertoire options include: “Sanbasō” “Hashi Benkei” “Yaoya Oshichi, Hinomi Yagura Scene” “Tanokyū” “Honchō Nijūshikō, Okuniwa Kitsunebi Scene”
•Valid for performances held between January and December 2026
•Performance arrangements and scheduling will be discussed via email by the end of September 2025
•Thank-you email with a link to a puppet video
•一糸座(Isshi-za) pamphlet
•Name listing in the pamphlet (large size, optional)
Pamphlet Name Listing:
If you would like your name to be included in the 一糸座(Isshi-za) pamphlet, please enter your preferred name when prompted.
If you prefer not to be listed, simply write “No listing.”
【観劇して応援】
出張公演 上演＋人形操作体験｜関東・日帰り
【Support by Theatergoing】 Traveling Performance + Hands-on Puppetry Experience｜
The Kanto region of Japan，only for day trip
400,000 yen + platform fee
Availability: Unlimited
Estimated Delivery: December 2026
No
7
Details:
•A special performance of a classical piece by Isshi-za at your chosen venue in the Kanto region, including a hands-on puppet manipulation experience.
•Planned repertoire includes:
•“Sanbasō” “Kotobuki Shishi” (Auspicious Lion Dance) “Shōjōji no Tanukibayashi” (Raccoon Dog Dance at Shojoji Temple) “Yaoya Oshichi”
•Total duration (including the hands-on portion): approximately 60–90 minutes
•Additional time will be required for setup and takedown
•Thank-you email with a link to a puppet video
•一糸座(Isshi-za) pamphlet
•Name listing in the pamphlet (large size, optional)
Important Notes:
•The supporter is responsible for securing and arranging the venue. Please notify us in advance of potential venues, as setup time and staffing requirements may vary.
•This offer is valid only for day trip, round-trip travel within The Kanto region of Japan:
(Ibaraki, Tochigi, Gunma, Saitama, Chiba, Tokyo, and Kanagawa prefectures)
•The event date will be scheduled to take place before the end of December 2026
•Further details will be provided via email by the end of September 2025, after the crowdfunding campaign concludes
•For any questions about this reward, please contact 一糸座(Isshi-za) directly:
Tel: 042-313-5205
Email: isshiza@gmail.com
Pamphlet Name Listing:
If you would like your name to be included in the 一糸座(Isshi-za) pamphlet, please enter your preferred name when prompted.
If you prefer not to be listed, simply write “No listing.”
【観劇して応援】
出張公演 上演＋人形操作体験｜日本全国限定(※離島は除く)
【Support by Theatergoing】 Traveling Performance + Hands-on Puppetry Experience｜
Only available in Japan, excluding isolated islands.
1,000,000 yen + platform fee
Availability: Unlimited
Estimated Delivery: December 2026
No
8
Details:
•A special performance of a classical piece by 一糸座(Isshi-za) at your preferred venue anywhere in Japan (excluding remote islands), combined with a hands-on puppet manipulation experience.
•Planned repertoire includes:
• “Sanbasō” “Kotobuki Shishi” (Auspicious Lion Dance) “Shōjōji no Tanukibayashi” (Raccoon Dog Dance at Shōjōji Temple) “Yaoya Oshichi – Scene at the Fire Watchtower”
•Total duration (including the hands-on experience): approximately 60–90 minutes
•Additional time will be required for setup and takedown
•Thank-you email with a link to a puppet video
•一糸座(Isshi-za) pamphlet
•Name listing in the pamphlet (large size, optional)
Important Notes:
・Only available in Japan, excluding isolated islands.
•The supporter is responsible for arranging the performance venue. Please inform us of your preferred venue in advance, as staffing and setup time may vary depending on the location.
•Transportation and accommodation (if required) for 一糸座(Isshi-za) are included in the support amount.
•The performance will be scheduled to take place by the end of December 2026.
•Further details will be provided via email by the end of September 2025, after the conclusion of the crowdfunding campaign.
•For questions regarding this reward, please contact 一糸座(Isshi-za) directly:
Tel: 042-313-5205
Email: isshiza@gmail.com
Pamphlet Name Listing:
If you would like your name to be included in the 一糸座(Isshi-za) pamphlet, please enter your preferred name when prompted.
If you prefer not to be listed, simply write “No listing.”
【人形操作体験で応援】
アトリエで人形操作体験ワークショップ
【Hands-on Puppetry Experience】
Puppet Manipulation Workshop at the 一糸座(Isshi-za) Atelier｜in Kodaira City, Tokyo
No
9
Details:
•Participate in a hands-on puppet manipulation workshop at the 一糸座(Isshi-za) Atelier in Kodaira City, Tokyo.
•The date of the workshop will be scheduled individually between September and December 2025.
•After the crowdfunding campaign ends, we will contact you in the first week of September 2025 to arrange the date.
•Thank-you email with a link to a puppet video
•一糸座(Isshi-za) pamphlet
•Name listing in the pamphlet (small size, optional)
Pamphlet Name Listing:
If you would like your name to appear in the 一糸座(Isshi-za) pamphlet, please enter your preferred name when prompted.
If you prefer not to be listed, simply write “No listing.”
15,000 yen + platform fee
Availability: Limited to 20 participants
Estimated Delivery: September 2025
人形による「おめでとう」
メッセージ動画（1分程度）
Custom “Congratulations” Message Video Performed by Puppet (Approx. 1 Minute)
No
10
Details:
•Receive a personalized video message (approx. 1 minute) performed by a puppet to celebrate a special occasion.
•The message will be customized with your chosen recipient and occasion.
(Example: A birthday message for “Ms.○○”)
•Each video is individually recorded using puppets from the 一糸座(Isshi-za) collection.
Please note that you cannot select which puppet will appear in the video.
•Thank-you email with a link to the puppet video
•Name listing in the一糸座(Isshi-za) pamphlet (small size, optional)
Pamphlet Name Listing:
If you would like your name to appear in the 一糸座(Isshi-za) pamphlet, please enter your preferred name when prompted.
If you prefer not to be listed, simply write “No listing.”
10,000 yen + platform fee
Availability: Unlimited
Estimated Delivery: December 2025
人形による「オリジナル」メッセージ動画（1分程度）
Custom “Original” Message Video Performed by Puppet (Approx. 1 Minute)
30,000 yen + platform fee
Availability: Unlimited
Estimated Delivery: December 2025
No
11
Details:
•Receive a fully customized message video (approx. 1 minute) performed by a puppet.
•The content will be created based on your request and delivered as a unique, personalized video.
•Perfect for surprising friends or family with a lighthearted and fun message.
•Each video is individually recorded using puppets from the 一糸座(Isshi-za) collection.
Please note that the specific puppet featured cannot be chosen.
•Thank-you email with a link to the puppet video
•Name listing in the 一糸座(Isshi-za) pamphlet (medium size, optional)
Pamphlet Name Listing:
If you would like your name to appear in the 一糸座(Isshi-za) pamphlet, please enter your preferred name when prompted.
If you prefer not to be listed, simply write “No listing.”
【グッズで応援】
Caféオオワニ通リのオオワニブレンド ドリップコーヒー
【Support with Goods】
“Ōwani Blend” Drip Coffee from Café Ōwani-dōri｜For Residents of Japan Only
No
12
Note:
This reward is only available to supporters residing in Japan due to shipping limitations. We sincerely appreciate your understanding.
Details:
•Ōwani Blend Drip Coffee (5 sachets)
Enjoy the taste of Café Ōwani-dōri—run by 一糸座(Isshi-za) at home with this special drip coffee created exclusively for this crowdfunding campaign. Ōwani Blend is one of the café’s most popular offerings.
•Thank-you email with a link to a puppet video
•一糸座(Isshi-za) pamphlet
•Name listing in the 一糸座(Isshi-za) pamphlet (small size, optional)
Pamphlet Name Listing:
If you would like your name to appear in the 一糸座(Isshi-za) pamphlet, please enter your preferred name when prompted.
If you prefer not to be listed, simply write “No listing.”
10,000 yen + platform fee
Availability: Unlimited
Estimated Delivery: December 2025
【グッズで応援】
クラウドファンディング限定オリジナル手ぬぐい
【Support with Goods】
Crowdfunding-Exclusive Original Tenugui Towel｜For Residents of Japan Only
No
13
Note:
Due to shipping constraints, this reward is available only to supporters residing in Japan. We sincerely appreciate your understanding.
Details:
•Original Tenugui Towel
A crowdfunding-exclusive tenugui (traditional Japanese hand towel) designed by Marina YOUKI
The design is inspired by the special atelier performance pieces Modoribashi and Tsunayakata.
•Thank-you email with a link to a puppet video
•一糸座(Isshi-za) pamphlet
•Name listing in the 一糸座(Isshi-za) pamphlet (small size, optional)
Pamphlet Name Listing:
If you would like your name to appear in the 一糸座(Isshi-za) pamphlet, please enter your preferred name when prompted.
If you prefer not to be listed, simply write “No listing.”
15,000 yen + platform fee
Availability: Unlimited
Estimated Delivery: December 2025
【グッズで応援】
手ぬぐい＋オオワニ通リ グッズセット
【Support with Goods】
Original Tenugui Towel ＋ Café Ōwani-dōri｜For Residents of Japan Only
No
14
Note:
Due to shipping limitations, this reward is available only to supporters residing in Japan. We sincerely appreciate your understanding.
Details:
•Original Tenugui Towel
A crowdfunding-exclusive hand towel designed by Marina YOUKI, inspired by the special atelier performance pieces Modoribashi and Tsunayakata.
•Café Ōwani-dōri Mug Set (2 Colors)
•Café Ōwani-dōri Sticker
•Thank-you email with a link to a puppet video
•一糸座(Isshi-za) pamphlet
•Name listing in the 一糸座(Isshi-za) pamphlet (medium size, optional)
Pamphlet Name Listing:
If you would like your name to appear in the 一糸座(Isshi-za) pamphlet, please enter your preferred name when prompted.
If you prefer not to be listed, simply write “No listing.”
25,000 yen + platform fee
Availability: Unlimited
Estimated Delivery: December 2025
【グッズで応援】
過去公演ポスター3枚セット「少女仮面」「猟師グラフス」「崩壊」
【Support with Goods】
Set of 3 Posters from Past Performances("Shōjo Kamen", "Hunter Graphe", "Collapse"). ｜For Residents of Japan Only)
No
15
Note:
Due to shipping costs, this reward is available only to supporters residing in Japan. We sincerely appreciate your understanding.
Details:
•Set of 3 Posters from 一糸座(Isshi-za)’s Popular Contemporary Productions:
"Shōjo Kamen" "Hunter Graphe" "Collapse – In Pursuit of the White Whale"
•Original Tenugui Towel
A crowdfunding-exclusive design by Marina YOUKI, inspired by the special atelier performance pieces Modoribashi and Tsunayakata
•Ōwani Café Mug Set (2 Colors)
•Ōwani Café Sticker
•Thank-you email with a link to a puppet video
•一糸座(Isshi-za) pamphlet
•Name listing in the 一糸座(Isshi-za) pamphlet (large size, optional)
Pamphlet Name Listing:
If you would like your name to appear in the 一糸座(Isshi-za) pamphlet, please enter your preferred name when prompted.
If you prefer not to be listed, simply write “No listing.”
35,000 yen + platform fee
Availability: Unlimited
Estimated Delivery: December 2025
【グッズで応援｜クラファン限定】
結城まりな オリジナル作品
【Support with Goods｜Crowdfunding Exclusive】
Original Artwork by Marina YOUKI｜ For Residents of Japan Only
50,000 yen + platform fee
Availability: Limited to 5
Estimated Delivery: December 2026
No
16
Note:
Due to shipping costs, this reward is available only to supporters residing in Japan. We sincerely appreciate your understanding.
Details:
•Original artwork by Marina YOUKI,
who is responsible for the stage and puppet design of 一糸座(Isshi-za)’s productions.
This exclusive piece is handcrafted using wood inspired by the Teita (control boards used to manipulate the puppets), which are essential tools in Japanese string puppetry.
The artwork will be created after the crowdfunding campaign ends, so please allow some time for its production and delivery.
Since 一糸座(Isshi-za) began hosting atelier performances, most of the newly created stage designs have been produced by Marina YOUKI. She also received high praise for her work in the February–March 2025 production of "Kamigami no Sato (The Village of the Gods)", for which she designed all stage and puppet elements.
•Thank-you email with a link to a puppet video
•一糸座(Isshi-za) pamphlet
•Name listing in the 一糸座(Isshi-za) pamphlet (large size, optional)
Pamphlet Name Listing:
If you would like your name to appear in the 一糸座(Isshi-za) pamphlet, please enter your preferred name when prompted.
If you prefer not to be listed, simply write “No listing.”
【人形をお手元に】
一糸座オリジナル猫人形クラファンバージョン｜日本在住の方限定
【Bring a Puppet Home】
一糸座(Isshi-za) Original Cat Puppet – Crowdfunding Edition ｜For Residents of Japan Only
No
17
Note:
Due to shipping costs, this reward is available only to supporters residing in Japan. We sincerely appreciate your understanding.
Details:
•A crowdfunding-exclusive version of 一糸座(Isshi-za)’s original cat-shaped puppet, crafted with special attention to its ease of movement and charming form.
This is a unique puppet handmade by the artists of 一糸座(Isshi-za).
•Thank-you email with a link to a puppet video
•一糸座(Isshi-za) pamphlet
•Name listing in the 一糸座(Isshi-za) pamphlet (large size, optional)
Pamphlet Name Listing:
If you would like your name to appear in the 一糸座(Isshi-za) pamphlet, please enter your preferred name when prompted.
If you prefer not to be listed, simply write “No listing.”
120,000 yen + platform fee
Availability: Unlimited
Estimated Delivery: December 2026
【人形をお手元に】
古典人形レプリカ1体（八重垣姫）
【Bring a Puppet Home】
Classic Puppet Replica – Yaegaki-hime ｜ Worldwide Shipping Available
1,000,000 yen + platform fee
Availability: 1 only
Estimated Delivery: December 2026
No
18
Note:
That production will begin after the crowdfunding campaign ends, and delivery will require additional time.
We kindly ask that you contact us first. For questions regarding this reward, please contact 一糸座(Isshi-za) directly:
Tel: 042-313-5205
Email: isshiza@gmail.com
Details:
•A replica of Yaegaki-hime, the heroine of the classic scene “The Fox Fire in the Inner Garden” from Honchō Nijūshikō.
This puppet was originally created for the debut performance of the fourth-generation Isshi YOUKI.
Only one replica will be produced and delivered in a paulownia wood box.
Please note that production will begin after the crowdfunding campaign ends, and delivery will require additional time.
•Thank-you email with a link to a puppet video
•一糸座(Isshi-za) pamphlet
•Name listing in the 一糸座(Isshi-za) pamphlet (extra-large size, optional)
Pamphlet Name Listing:
If you would like your name to appear in the 一糸座(Isshi-za) pamphlet, please enter your preferred name when prompted.
If you prefer not to be listed, simply write “No listing.”
【人形をお手元に】
橋弁慶人形（弁慶と牛若丸）レプリカ 描画背景（結城まりな作）つき
【Bring a Puppet Home】
Replica Puppet Set: Benkei and Ushiwakamaru from “Hashi Benkei”
Includes Painted Scenic Backdrop by Marina YOUKI ｜ Worldwide Shipping Available
1,500,000 yen + platform fee
Availability: 1 only
Estimated Delivery: December 2026
No
19
Note:
That production will begin after the crowdfunding campaign ends, and delivery will require additional time.
We kindly ask that you contact us first. For questions regarding this reward, please contact 一糸座(Isshi-za) directly:
Tel: 042-313-5205
Email: isshiza@gmail.com
Details:
•A replica puppet set of Benkei and Ushiwakamaru from the classic scene “Hashi Benkei”, including small props.
•Includes a custom hand-painted scenic backdrop by Marina YOUKI, inspired by the original stage set.
•The set is designed for display purposes, allowing you to enjoy the puppets in a theatrical setting.
•Thank-you email with a link to a puppet video
•一糸座(Isshi-za) pamphlet
•Name listing in the 一糸座(Isshi-za) pamphlet (extra-large size, optional)
Pamphlet Name Listing:
If you would like your name to appear in the一糸座(Isshi-za) pamphlet, please enter your preferred name when prompted.
If you prefer not to be listed, simply write “No listing.”
【人形をお手元に】
寿獅子人形
【Bring a Puppet Home】
Kotobuki Shishi Puppet ｜ Worldwide Shipping Available
No
20
Details:
•An original Kotobuki Shishi puppet
•This puppet was actually used on stage by Dennai EDO.
•The control board (teita) is newly crafted; all other parts are original.
•Delivered in a traditional paulownia wood box.
•Thank-you email with a link to a puppet video
•一糸座(Isshi-za) pamphlet
•Name listing in the 一糸座(Isshi-za) pamphlet (extra-large size, optional)
Pamphlet Name Listing:
If you would like your name to appear in the 一糸座(Isshi-za) pamphlet, please enter your preferred name when prompted.
If you prefer not to be listed, simply write “No listing.”
2,000,000 yen + platform fee
Availability: 1 only
Estimated Delivery: December 2025
【法人様向けコース】
コマーシャル動画への人形出演
【Corporate Sponsorship Option】
Puppet Appearance in a Commercial Video
300,000 yen + platform fee
Availability: Unlimited
Estimated Delivery: December 2026
No
21
Details:
•Puppet appearance in your commercial video (basic package)
•Valid from January 2026 to December 2026
•Additional fees may apply depending on the content and scale of your request
•If the production size or number of puppeteers increases, we will provide a separate quote
•For any questions about this reward, please contact 一糸座(Isshi-za) directly
(Tel: 042-313-5205 / Email: isshiza@gmail.com)
•Thank-you email with a link to a puppet video
•Name listing in the 一糸座(Isshi-za) pamphlet (large size, optional)
Pamphlet Name Listing:
If you would like your name to appear in the 一糸座(Isshi-za) pamphlet, please enter your preferred name when prompted.
If you prefer not to be listed, simply write “No listing.”
【法人様向けコース】
冠公演｜アトリエ公演への冠協賛
【Corporate Sponsorship Option】
Title Sponsorship of an Atelier Performance
No
22
Details:
•Title sponsorship for an 一糸座(Isshi-za) atelier performance
•You may consult with us to choose the performance program
•Performances are typically held over 4 days in a month
•For extended sponsorship (e.g. over 2 consecutive months), we will discuss the schedule with you individually
•Thank-you email with a link to a puppet video
•Name listing in the 一糸座(Isshi-za) pamphlet (extra-large size, optional)
Pamphlet Name Listing:
If you would like your name to appear in the 一糸座(Isshi-za) pamphlet, please enter your preferred name when prompted.
If you prefer not to be listed, simply write “No listing.”
1,000,000 yen + platform fee
Availability: Unlimited
Estimated Delivery: December 2026
【お気持ち応援コースA】
【Support from the Heart】
Course A
No
23
Note:
This option is for those who do not require any special return gifts.
Your generous support will be used directly to sustain and advance our activities.
Multiple units of this course may be purchased.
Details:
•Thank-you email with a link to a puppet video
•Name listing in the 一糸座(Isshi-za) pamphlet (small size, optional)
Pamphlet Name Listing:
If you would like your name to appear in the一糸座(Isshi-za) pamphlet, please enter your preferred name when prompted.
If you prefer not to be listed, simply write “No listing.”
5,000 yen + platform fee
Availability: Unlimited
Estimated Delivery: December 2025
【お気持ち応援コースB】
【Support from the Heart】
Course B
No
24
Note:
This option is for those who do not require any special return gifts.
Your generous support will be used directly to sustain and advance our activities.
Multiple units of this course may be purchased.
Details:
•Thank-you email with a link to a puppet video
•Name listing in the 一糸座(Isshi-za) pamphlet (small size, optional)
Pamphlet Name Listing:
If you would like your name to appear in the一糸座(Isshi-za) pamphlet, please enter your preferred name when prompted.
If you prefer not to be listed, simply write “No listing.”
10,000 yen + platform fee
Availability: Unlimited
Estimated Delivery: December 2025
【お気持ち応援コースC】
【Support from the Heart】
Course C
No
24
Note:
This option is for those who do not require any special return gifts.
Your generous support will be used directly to sustain and advance our activities.
Multiple units of this course may be purchased.
Details:
•Thank-you email with a link to a puppet video
•Name listing in the 一糸座(Isshi-za) pamphlet (small size, optional)
Pamphlet Name Listing:
If you would like your name to appear in the一糸座(Isshi-za) pamphlet, please enter your preferred name when prompted.
If you prefer not to be listed, simply write “No listing.”
50,000 yen + platform fee
Availability: Unlimited
Estimated Delivery: December 2025
【お気持ち応援コースD】
【Support from the Heart】
Course D
No
25
Note:
This option is for those who do not require any special return gifts.
Your generous support will be used directly to sustain and advance our activities.
Multiple units of this course may be purchased.
Details:
•Thank-you email with a link to a puppet video
•Name listing in the 一糸座(Isshi-za) pamphlet (small size, optional)
Pamphlet Name Listing:
If you would like your name to appear in the一糸座(Isshi-za) pamphlet, please enter your preferred name when prompted.
If you prefer not to be listed, simply write “No listing.”
100,000 yen + platform fee
Availability: Unlimited
Estimated Delivery: December 2025
【お気持ち応援】
のぼりへお名前記載
【Support from the Heart】
Name Featured on a Nobori Banner
No
26
Details:
•Your name will be featured on a nobori (vertical banner) displayed at 一糸座(Isshi-za) performances
•Thank-you email with a link to a puppet video
•Name listing in the一糸座(Isshi-za) pamphlet (large size, optional)
Pamphlet Name Listing:
If you would like your name to appear in the 一糸座(Isshi-za) pamphlet, please enter your preferred name when prompted.
If you prefer not to be listed, simply write “No listing.”
200,000 yen + platform fee
Availability: Unlimited
Estimated Delivery: December 2025
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A hundred years from now, someone else will encounter them...
We want to protect the stage where the puppets come to life.
A tradition passed down since the Edo period-
To carry a single thread into the future.
We, 一糸座(Isshi-za), are among the few remaining heirs to the 400-year-old tradition of 糸あやつり人形(“ Ito Ayatsuri Ningyo ”, a traditional form of Japanese string puppetry). This art, which has moved audience since the Edo periodo, has been carefully preserved through generations by the creativity and passion of devoted puppeteers.
But now, 一糸座(Isshi-za) faces a crisis that threatens to extinguish this long-burning flame.
Soaring costs, a sharp decline in school touring performances—once our main source of income—and unavoidable cancellations have left us in a critical financial state.
We’ve done our best to combine multiple revenue streams, but the severity of the situation has grown beyond what our efforts alone can overcome.Even the daily cost of maintaining our rehearsal studio has become a heavy burden. We now face the urgent and painful question,
“Will we be able to perform next year? Or the year after?”
Without people to carry them on in the present, traditions cannot reach the future. If this delicate “thread of life” breaks, it may never be restored.
That’s why we’ve launched this crowdfunding campaign. To ensure that this thread, kept alive by countless puppeteers before us, is not lost—but passed on. We need your help to do that.
Your support will protect these irreplaceable puppets, and create the kind of stage that could move someone’s heart—even 100 years from now. Please join us in weaving this future together.
This is not just a plea—it is our determined challenge for facing an existential crisis...
It is a heartfelt request to help us preserve the future meeting between puppets, puppeteers, and new audiences yet to come.
We ask for your warm support, so that this 400-year-old “thread of life” may be carried forward into the next century.
一糸座(Isshi-za) is facing an existential crisis.
一糸座(Isshi-za), a traditional Japanese string puppet theater company, has continued to carry the torch passed down by generations of puppeteers—cherishing this legacy and working hard to pass it on to the next 100 years. Even in difficult circumstances, we have never stopped trying. However, like many performing arts groups, we are now facing an increasingly harsh environment. Soaring prices and other recent economic pressures have pushed us into a financial crisis.
Until now, we’ve managed to keep going by combining multiple sources of income—essentially living hand-to-mouth, one project at a time. But now, things have worsened to a point where our efforts alone can no longer sustain us. We have reached our absolute limit.
In addition—and this is something difficult to write publicly—we faced a major, unforeseen challenge in 2024 that forced us to cancel one of our scheduled performances. This cancellation resulted in a substantial financial loss, which further deepened our crisis.
One of 一糸座(Isshi-za)’s most important revenue streams has been our school touring performances, where we present 人形浄瑠璃(“Ningyō Jōruri”, a form of traditional Japanese puppet theater) to children across Japan. For nearly 20 years, we were selected annually to deliver performances at schools nationwide. However, changes to the funding and selection system last year caused a dramatic drop in the number of schools on our tour. This year, we are performing at only one-tenth the number of schools we did two years ago. As a result, our financial situation is deteriorating rapidly. (We fully recognize that our heavy reliance on this tour-based income was a risk, and we are now actively seeking new, more sustainable revenue streams.)
In addition, our self-produced public performances—held only once or twice a year—are not designed to turn a profit. Ticket sales are used to cover venue rental, performers’ fees, staff wages, and production costs, but they don’t generate surplus income for the company.
All of these challenges have added up, and our financial foundation is now deeply shaken. We are even struggling to cover the maintenance costs of our rehearsal studio, our home base for daily practice.
At this rate, the light of this tradition—carried on for 400 years since the Edo period—could be extinguished with our generation. And once a traditional art is lost, it can never be truly restored.
Until now, our troupe members have faced every hardship with optimism and a strong sense of purpose. But today, the reality we face is stark,
“Can we even make it through this summer of 2025?”
The fear that we may not be able to stage performances next year is no longer a distant worry—it is closing in on us now.
If we can overcome this crisis…
One of 一糸座(Isshi-za)’s greatest strengths is our ability to produce both classical performances and original works created in collaboration with contemporary theater artists. In fact, because performance planning typically happens two to three years in advance, we already have productions scheduled for this year and next. From this autumn onward, we are preparing a number of ambitious productions—works that go beyond traditional forms, and truly reflect the spirit of 一糸座(Isshi-za).
And yet, despite all this, we now find ourselves standing at the edge of a cliff. Right now, in 2025, we are facing a financial crisis that threatens to undo everything. But if we can make it through this moment—if we can survive this one critical year—then we believe the light of 糸あやつり人形(“ Ito Ayatsuri Ningyo ”, a traditional form of Japanese string puppetry) can continue to shine into the future. We are even beginning to see the first signs of recovery ahead.
■ November 2025
New Production: Fujin Raijin-zu (Wind and Thunder Gods) — Co-created with Masahiko AKUTA
This original production marks another collaboration with playwright Masahiko AKUTA, whose creative partnership with Dennai EDO (Third-generation Isshi YOUKI) began in 1999 with their first joint work at the Youki-za. Their artistic bond has continued even after Edo’s departure from Youki-za and the founding of 一糸座(Isshi-za).
■ February 2026
New Production: The Melancholy of the Artificial Man — Co-created with Kenji AZUMA (Sajikidōji Theatre Company)
Following the success of our 2024 debut collaboration Collapse – A Dream in Pursuit of Moby Dick, which received glowing reviews and many requests for a revival, this second co-production between 一糸座(Isshi-za) and playwright Kenji Azuma brings a new, original story to life.
■ August 2026
Creating the Classics of Tomorrow: New 人形浄瑠璃(“ Ningyō Jōruri ”, a form of traditional Japanese puppet theater)
The first installment of our project to carry 糸あやつり人形浄瑠璃 (“ Ito Ayatsuri Ningyō Jōruri ”, a form of traditional Japanese string puppet theater) into the future. This new production explores an entirely new genre for 一糸座(Isshi-za), aiming to introduce puppet jōruri to younger generations and those unfamiliar with the classical form. Our goal is to create a new work that will become part of the “classics of the future.”
■ 2026 (Date TBD)
人形浄瑠璃(“ Ningyō Jōruri ”) at Shrines and Temples in Asakusa
The second phase of our “Future Classics” project! We plan to stage 糸あやつり人形浄瑠璃 (“ Ito Ayatsuri Ningyō Jōruri ”) in Asakusa—the place where Dennai EDO’s grandfather, the 9th Magozaburō YUKI, revived string puppetry during the Meiji era, and where his father, Sessai YUKI (the 10th Magozaburō YUKKI), was also based. A meaningful performance that honors our roots while looking ahead.
However, in order to move forward with these upcoming productions, we must first find a way to cross this critical bridge—the “now.”
Over the past year, we have done everything we can to overcome this crisis. We’ve tried many approaches and planted many seeds of hope. Thanks to these efforts, we’ve met people who have said, “I want to support 一糸座(Isshi-za)”, and who have offered their help in many ways.
Most importantly, the number of people who genuinely look forward to 一糸座(Isshi-za)’s performances has steadily grown year by year.
We are deeply committed to bringing our productions to those audiences—people who truly care about what we do and want to see this art continue.
The Cultural Significance of 糸あやつり人形(“ Ito Ayatsuri Ningyo ”)
It is said that Japan’s tradition of moving puppets originated roughly 1,200 years ago, traveling eastward along the Silk Road from the western regions of Asia—what is now Afghanistan and Pakistan—through China and the Korean Peninsula, and eventually arriving in Japan.
Over time, puppets in Japan developed into two main forms, hand-operated and string-operated. By the early Edo period, string puppets resembling the modern form had emerged and were enjoyed by the townspeople of Edo (present-day Tokyo). 糸あやつり人形(“Ito Ayatsuri Ningyo”, a traditional form of Japanese string puppetry) has since evolved into a highly refined traditional performing art, passed down for over 400 years.
One of the things that most surprises audiences when we perform overseas is the incredible delicacy and expressive power of the puppets’ movements.
Japanese string puppetry developed hand in hand with 浄瑠璃(“Jōruri”, a traditional form of Japanese narrative chanting accompanied by shamisen music). To stage the masterpieces written by playwrights such as Chikamatsu Monzaemon, puppeteers needed a level of technical skill that could express deep emotions over long performances. This gave rise to uniquely sensitive and nuanced puppets, capable of conveying subtle feelings and inner turmoil.
Over the past 400 years, countless puppeteers have dedicated their lives to perfecting this art form. Through tireless ingenuity and personal devotion, they developed uniquely Japanese techniques, giving rise to puppets with an extraordinary expressive power—unlike any found elsewhere in the world. This tradition exists today only because of the generations of puppeteers who poured their hearts and lives into it. As one of the few remaining heirs to this legacy, we at 一糸座(Isshi-za) have continued to take the stage—together with our puppets.
What we seek to preserve is not just a cultural artifact, but a living art form—one that has survived countless crises and evolved with the times. Dennai EDO (Third-generation Isshi YOUKI) was born into Youki-za, one of only two official puppet troupes recognized by the Tokugawa Shogunate during the Edo period. The rich history and techniques of that lineage live on in us today.
Traditional culture can only be passed on to the future if there are people keeping it alive in the present.
Our goal is not to preserve 糸あやつり人形(Ito Ayatsuri Ningyō) merely as a “classical” art form, but to ensure its continued growth and relevance as a living art, resonating with the present age.
How 糸あやつり人形(“ Ito Ayatsuri Ningyo ”)
Has Been Preserved Through the Ages
The path to preserving this art has never been an easy one.
In the Meiji era, the rise of Western culture brought Japanese string puppetry (Ito Ayatsuri Ningyō) to the brink of extinction. It was the grandfather of Dennai EDO, Artistic Director of 一糸座(Isshi-za,Third-generation Isshi YUKKI), the 9th-generation Magozaburō YOUKI, who saved the tradition from disappearing.
A distant relative of the 8th-generation Magozaburō YOUKI, the ninth took an interest in puppetry at the age of 13. His extraordinary talent was quickly recognized, and he inherited the name Magozaburō YOUKI at just 21. He then embarked on a 10-year journey across Japan, performing in towns nationwide. During this time, he invented a new form of puppet theater in which the puppeteer spoke lines directly—drawing inspiration from 歌舞伎(Kabuki). He refined this unique form into what became known as 改良人形芝居(”Kairyō Ningyō Shibai” is a reformed style of traditional Japanese puppet theater). At age 31, after completing his travels, he made a triumphant debut performance of 改良人形芝居(Kairyō Ningyō Shibai) at the famed Ichimura-za theater in Asakusa. The show was a massive success, playing to packed audiences night after night. It was said,
“When Magozaburō performs, all the theaters within eight town blocks fall silent.”
This earned him the nickname “The Scourge of Eight Towns” (Hacchō Arashi), reflecting both his popularity and the revival of 糸あやつり人形(“Ito Ayatsuri Ningyo”, a traditional form of Japanese string puppetry) under his influence. Without the 9th-generation Magozaburō YUKKI, this centuries-old art might have vanished entirely.
Because of his pivotal role, he is often referred to as the Restorer of 糸あやつり人形(“ Ito Ayatsuri Ningyo ”).
His puppets were admired even by literary giants such as Sōseki NATSUME and Shiki MASAOKA, as well as the renowned Nihonga painter Kiyokata KABURAKI.
Left side: Sessai YOUKI (the 10th-generation Magozaburō YOUKI), Right side: 9th-generation Magozaburō YOUKI
That spirit was passed on to Sessai YUKKI (the 10th-generation Magozaburō YOUKI), father of Dennai EDO (the 3rd-generation Isshi YOUKI). Through the turmoil of World War II and the chaotic years that followed, he persevered under unimaginable conditions—preserving classical string puppetry while also forging new ground. He actively collaborated with contemporary theater artists, elevating 糸あやつり人形(Ito Ayatsuri Ningyō) into a modern performing art.
Sessai’s artistry was admired by leading figures in Japanese culture, including Nihonga painters Taikan YOKOYAMA and Shinsui ITO. He was also the first person ever granted permission to adapt the works of literary master Ryūnosuke AKUTAGAWA for the puppet stage. In the vibrant theater movement of the Shōwa era, Sessai earned the respect of a new generation of young dramatists. Abroad, his genius and artistry earned him the nickname “The Hands of God.”
Sessai YOUKI (the 10th-generation Magozaburō YOUKI) international performances
Preserving a single traditional art form is no easy feat. It is like shielding a fragile flame from fierce winds—something only possible through relentless dedication and sacrifice. Our predecessors protected this art with extraordinary effort, ensuring that it could be passed down to us today.
The tradition preserved by the 9th-generation Magozaburō YOUKI, and the innovation pioneered by the 10th-generation Magozaburō YOUKI (Sessai YOUKI), together form the foundation of 一糸座(Isshi-za)’s mission. This spirit of “Tradition and Innovation” is at the very heart of all that we do. Before his passing, Sessai YOUKI(the 10th-generation Magozaburō YOUKI )—father of Dennai EDO (3rd-generation Isshi YOUKI)—left behind a final wish,
“May each of my children form their own troupe, and carry this art into the world.”
With those words close to his heart, Dennai EDO, then known as Isshi YOUKI, made the courageous decision to leave the renowned Youki-za, where he had long served at the center of its artistry. At the age of 55, he founded his own company, 一糸座(Isshi-za).
More than 20 years have passed since. In that time, 一糸座(Isshi-za) has dedicated itself not only to preserving classical works and nurturing young talent, but also to creating new expressions—collaborating with international directors and adapting modern literature for the puppet stage. We continue to seek bold new directions for this ancient art form.
Sessai YOUKI once wrote in his own words,
“If I do not continue this work, 糸あやつり人形(“Ito Ayatsuri Ningyo”) will die out.”
It is now our turn to carry that burden—and that honor. 糸あやつり人形(“Ito Ayatsuri Ningyo”, a traditional form of Japanese string puppetry), which our ancestors risked everything to preserve, must now be protected by us. And in turn, we must pass it on—to the next generation of puppeteers, and to the future.
Profile
Left side: 九代目結城孫三郎(9th-generation Magozaburō YOUKI)
・Dennai EDO‘s grandfather.
・Lived from 1869(Meiji 2) to 1947(Showa 22).
・He was the first to create what became known as 改良人形芝居(”Kairyō Ningyō Shibai” is a reformed style of traditional Japanese puppet theater) and helped it gain widespread popularity. He is credited with reviving 糸あやつり人形(Ito Ayatsuri Ningyō) at a time when it was on the verge of disappearing, and is now regarded as its “restorer” or “reviver”.
Middle side: 結城雪斎(“Sessai YOUKI” the 10th-generation Magozaburō YOUKI)
・Dennai EDO’s Father (First-generation Isshi YOUKI)
・Born in 1907 (Meiji 40) – Passed away in 1997 (Heisei 9)
・He trained as a puppeteer from a young age under the 9th-generation Magozaburō YOUKI. Through his collaboration with Enoken, the “King of Comedy” in the Shōwa era, he helped establish a new style of performance in which puppets and human actors shared the stage, creating many memorable productions.
In the postwar period, he also played a key role in Japan’s early television era, becoming the first resident puppeteer for NHK during its experimental broadcasts. Admired by many rising theater artists during the Shōwa-era small-theater boom, he was celebrated overseas as a genius puppeteer and was often praised as having “the hands of a god.”
Right side: 江戸伝内(“Dennai EDO” 3rd-generation Isshi YOUKI)
・Born in 1948 (Showa 23).
・He was born as the third son of Sessai YOUKI. He began working with puppets at the age of three and made his stage debut at five. At 25, he succeeded to the name of the third-generation Isshi YOUKI. He was at the heart of Youki-za’s activities.
In 2003, honoring his father’s dying wish, he set out on his own to promote Japanese string puppetry and established 一糸座(Isshi-za). In 2022, he handed down the name “Isshi” to his son and adopted the stage name “Dennai EDO”—a title once held by a master puppeteer of the Edo period, which had disappeared after a single generation.
A Challenge to Preserve 糸あやつり人形(Ito Ayatsuri Ningyō)
Dennai EDO (the third-generation Isshi YOUKI) left the Youki-za, where he was born and raised, in 2003 to establish his own company. With neither a single puppet in hand nor even a costume to call his own, he stepped into the unknown—and through countless trials, he nurtured 一糸座(Isshi-za) little by little, until it grew into the vibrant company it is today.
一糸座(Isshi-za) is dedicated to both preserving 糸あやつり人形浄瑠璃 (“Ito Ayatsuri Ningyō Jōruri”, a form of traditional Japanese string puppet theater) and advancing its artistic evolution by collaborating with theater artists from Japan and around the world, bringing this timeless art into the realm of contemporary theater.
Over the years, 一糸座(Isshi-za) has undertaken a wide range of activities to promote and further develop string puppetry. These include producing one to two original performances each year, presenting classical works at elementary and junior high schools across Japan through the Agency for Cultural Affairs’ touring program, participating in productions organized by other theater companies, and performing classical pieces abroad while offering workshops at universities.
■Recent Major Activities (Classical and Contemporary Stage Productions)
・May 2022: Ceremonial Performance Marking the Name Succession of the Fourth Isshi YUKKI and the Renaming to Edo Den’nai (Classical)
・March 2023: Shōjo Kamen (Contemporary Production)
・October 2023: The Hunter Grafus – Japan–Norway Co-Production, performed in both countries (New Production)
・November 2023: European Tour (Classical Repertoire)
・March 2024: Collapse: In Pursuit of the White Whale (Contemporary Production)
■Agency for Cultural Affairs Touring Performances
For nearly 20 years, we have traveled across Japan, bringing workshops and classical puppet performances to elementary and junior high schools. Through these performances, we aim to share the beauty of traditional performing arts with children.
This initiative began in the postwar period with Sessai YOUKI (the 10th-generation Magozaburō YOUKI), father of Dennai EDO, who felt deeply committed to fostering emotional and cultural development in young audiences.
Today, the program is supported by Japan’s Agency for Cultural Affairs, but we proudly continue his mission, touring the country with the same heartfelt purpose.
■Participation in Productions Hosted by Other Companies
In addition to our own productions, participating in performances organized by other companies provides valuable opportunities to introduce 糸あやつり人形(“Ito Ayatsuri Ningyo”, a traditional form of Japanese string puppetry) to entirely new audiences. It also allows us to collaborate with a wide range of talented theatre professionals.
・2015 – Itoshi no Hakanashi
・2017–2023 – Get in Touch “Mazekoze Ichiza”
・2017 – "Kaspar"
・2018 – "Kinuginu"
・2019 – "Hai to, Hai no Hai (Ashes and the Ash of Ashes)"
・2023 – "Shinkoten Tanoshiza NOBODY"
・2025 – "Kamigami no Sato (The Village of the Gods)"
■Workshops
Across continents and generations, 一糸座(Isshi-za) brings the ancient art of 糸あやつり人形(“Ito Ayatsuri Ningyo”, a traditional form of Japanese string puppetry) to life through immersive workshops and demonstrations.
In universities both in Japan and abroad, we invite aspiring theatre artists to experience firsthand the subtle magic of 糸あやつり人形(“Ito Ayatsuri Ningyo”)—a form born of centuries of devotion, delicacy, and imagination.
At public venues and cultural events, we open the curtain for people of all ages to encounter the charm of these living dolls. The unique wooden control bar, unlike any seen elsewhere in the world, reveals the refined craftsmanship that allows a puppet to breathe, grieve, or rejoice in silence.
By lifting a single puppet, one feels its weight—not only physical, but historical. It is a quiet weight, heavy with time, memory, and human artistry passed down through generations.
・2015 – Workshop and performance at the University of Bologna, Italy
・2023 – Workshop at Ernst Busch Academy of Dramatic Arts, Germany
・2025 – Hands-on puppet workshop at 一糸座(Isshi-za) Pop-up Store, at Kokubunji Marui, Japan
A Pivotal Turning Point for 一糸座(Isshi-za), The COVID-19 Pandemic
The year 2020 marked a profound turning point in the journey of 一糸座(Isshi-za). Like so many artistic groups in Japan and around the world, we too found ourselves stripped of our regular lives during the global COVID-19 pandemic.
All our scheduled performances, including international tours, were abruptly canceled. Faced with an uncertain future, 一糸座(Isshi-za) made a bold and forward-looking decision, to establish a new base—a rehearsal studio and creative home.
It was a challenge born of adversity, undertaken with the belief that we must keep moving forward even in the hardest of times. With the generous support of many, we transformed a former sushi restaurant into our current atelier—by our own hands. It became not only a rehearsal space, but also a small theater with a café attached.
This new atelier enabled us to hold regular performances of classical works, something that had been difficult to achieve in larger, rented venues due to financial constraints. For young puppeteers to truly grow in their craft, they must perform classical repertoire before live audiences—an experience irreplaceable by practice alone.
Now, four years have passed since our atelier opened. Thanks to this space, we’ve been able to stage many classical performances, and our younger members have steadily acquired both technique and confidence. Our long-cherished dream—to preserve and pass down the art of 糸あやつり人形(“Ito Ayatsuri Ningyo”, a traditional form of Japanese string puppetry)—has come closer to reality through the establishment of this atelier.
But the atelier brought us another unexpected gift. Until then, 一糸座(Isshi-za)’s office had been tucked away in an anonymous room in a building, barely known to the local community in Kodaira. But once we opened a café on a lively shopping street, we became visible. More people began attending our shows, and we formed meaningful new connections with our neighbors.
The atelier itself is not large, but its intimacy allows audiences to feel the breath of the puppets, to sense their presence just an arm’s length away. It is a rare and precious setting for watching traditional puppetry—and the joy and satisfaction on the faces of our visitors, many of whom return again and again, gives us immeasurable encouragement.
This atelier has become a place of deep importance to us. And yet, because of our current financial difficulties, we now face the heartbreaking possibility of losing it.
To master the art of 糸あやつり人形(“Ito Ayatsuri Ningyo”) requires long, continuous training. Puppeteers must spend time with the puppets daily—adjusting them, learning their weight and balance, discovering their character through repeated encounters. And nothing compares to the growth that comes from performing in front of a live audience. We want to protect this space that makes such experiences possible. We want to keep this theater alive, so we can carry 糸あやつり人形(“Ito Ayatsuri Ningyo”) into the future.
But we’ve reached a point where we can no longer overcome these obstacles on our own. That is why we’ve launched this crowdfunding campaign—to not only weather this storm, but to let the world know that 糸あやつり人形(“Ito Ayatsuri Ningyo”) is alive, evolving, and worth preserving.
What We Hope to Achieve with Your Support
As mentioned earlier, 一糸座(Isshi-za) has long operated in a hand-to-mouth fashion—barely sustaining itself by using the modest proceeds from one production to fund the next. We managed to keep going by maintaining a delicate balance—but that balance has now been broken.
A combination of factors—rising costs of materials and operations, cancelled performances resulting in deficits, and a sharp decline in touring opportunities—has placed an overwhelming strain on our finances.
Every month, we struggle to cover the fixed costs of our atelier. Our core members continue working tirelessly, almost entirely without pay, in the hope of turning things around. But the reality is that we are now on the verge of being unable to make it through the summer.
Still, we are not giving up. We continue planting seeds for the future, pursuing projects that, with time and support, we believe will begin to yield returns by next year. But in order to survive this year and reach that future, we urgently need help—to preserve our atelier, and to keep our company alive.
Your contribution to this crowdfunding campaign is not just to help us through the current crisis. It is a vital investment in the future of 一糸座(Isshi-za), helping us move toward a more sustainable, self-sufficient model of operation.
Our initial goal is to raise JPY3,000,000. But to realize the future we are working toward, our ultimate goal is set at JPY10,000,000. We cannot get there without your support.
【Use of Funds if the First Goal is Achieved】
■To overcome the current sever financial crisis and continue our activities: JPY 3,000,000
1. Partial repayment of loans taken out during the COVID-19 pandemic
2. Partial coverage of staff wages
3. Approximately six months’ worth of maintenance costs for our rehearsal space and puppet storage—both vital to our survival
Should we receive a contribution of JPY3,000,000, it would enable us to navigate the current critical financial challenges and continue our activities.
【Use of Funds Upon Reaching the Second Goal】
■Stabilize our finances and restore the company’s operations: JPY6,000,000
4. A portion of the costs needed to maintain our rehearsal space and puppet storage, which are vital to our operations(covering an additional six months, through August 2026)
5. A portion of the production costs for our atelier and in-house performances scheduled within the next year
We anticipate that by the end of our summer performance in 2026, there will be signs of financial recovery.
【Use of Funds if the Final Goal is Reached】
■Toward further financial recovery and greater public awareness of string puppetry: JPY10,000,000
6. Expand regular performances at our atelier to welcome more audience members
7. Strengthen outreach efforts through video streaming of our productions and diversify our revenue streams
8. Launch new projects in collaboration with private companies and local governments to reduce dependence on public grants
9. Allocate funds for puppet and stage set production to perform classical plays that 一糸座(isshi-za) has never staged before.
By increasing atelier performances and staging previously unperformed classical works, we will cultivate new puppeteers and ensure the future of 糸あやつり人形(“Ito Ayatsuri Ningyo”, a traditional form of Japanese string puppetry).
※All contributions will be utilized to sustain 一糸座(Isshi-za)`s ongoing endeavors to preserve and transmit the art of 糸あやつり人形(“Ito Ayatsuri Ningyo”) to future generations.
If this crowdfunding campaign succeeds and we are able to continue operating the company through next year, the various plans we are currently preparing will be set in motion, and we expect to see signs of financial stability. Furthermore, once we overcome this crisis and achieve financial recovery, we hope to focus our efforts on the following goals.
■Cultivating the Next Generation of Puppeteers for the Next 100 Years.
・Training programs for young puppeteers
・Establishing a supportive environment for their growth.
■Creating a Digital Archive to Preserve Classical Works and the Unique Puppets Used by Edo Den’nai. To ensure that these treasured elements of our craft can be passed down to future puppeteers.
■ Developing a Sustainable Support Structure
・Establishing sponsorship and supporter programs.
・Building a membership system to engage long-term allies.
Your support is a powerful step toward ensuring a future for 糸あやつり人形(“Ito Ayatsuri Ningyo”, a traditional form of Japanese string puppetry).
As a token of our gratitude, we will present a special performance at our atelier as part of the crowdfunding rewards.
What we can offer is what we do best—sharing the stage with you.
We believe the greatest way we can thank you is by performing this centuries-old art, entrusted to us over 400 years of history, with the utmost care and dedication. At the heart of the performance will be our two master puppeteers—Dennai EDO and Isshi YUKKI—alongside the entire 一糸座(Isshi-za) ensemble, united in spirit and skill.
We will give everything we have to make you feel that 糸あやつり人形(“Ito Ayatsuri Ningyo”) is a tradition worth preserving for the next 100, even 200 years. We invite you to experience this living art form up close, in the intimate setting of our atelier—a rare and precious space where every breath and gesture of the puppets can be felt.
So That 糸あやつり人形(“Ito Ayatsuri Ningyo”) May Continue to Meet New Audiences, Even 100 Years from Now
糸あやつり人形(“Ito Ayatsuri Ningyo”, a traditional form of Japanese string puppetry). has endured for over 400 years—not only because of the dedication of puppeteers, but also thanks to the audiences who have cherished these performances throughout the centuries. A puppet show is never complete with puppeteers alone; it lives only when it is witnessed.
Traditional performing arts are like a single thread, passed from the past through the present, and into the future. Today, that thread is fraying. Through this project, we hope to weave it forward together with you, believing in the enduring value of this art form and embracing our responsibility to carry it onward.
The name 一糸(Isshi), which we proudly carry as our company’s name, comes from the expression 一糸不乱(Isshi Furan), meaning “to manipulate puppets with unwavering focus, as if guided by a single thread.”
This name was given to Dennai EDO (the third-generation Isshi YUKKI) in his childhood by his father, Sessai YUKKI (the tenth-generation Magozaburō YOUKI), as a symbol of the life-long devotion expected of a true puppeteer. It has now been passed down for over a century.
At 一糸座(Isshi-za), we have lived true to that name—devoting our lives to a single, unbroken thread.
We are determined to strengthen that thread, to extend it far into the future. And to do so, we sincerely ask for your support.
Please help us bring this project to life.
Your support will raise the curtain on a stage 100 years from now, touching the hearts of future audiences.
We invite you to stand with us—as a partner in preserving and continuing this legacy.
With gratitude,
The Members of 糸あやつり人形一糸座(Ito Ayatsuri Ningyo Isshi-za)
Message of Support for the Project
Actress, Representative of Get in Touch
東 ちづる様(Ms. Chizuru AZUMA)
“糸あやつり人形一糸座(Ito Ayatsuri Ningyo Isshi-za)", is a treasure of Japan and something we can truly be proud of!
I’ll never forget the awe and shock I felt when I first saw one of their performances. The puppeteers who handcraft their puppets and breathe life into them onstage—this ensemble is a truly one-of-a-kind art form.
Wanting more people to see and experience their work, we’ve invited them to collaborate on various projects, including the Mazekoze Ichiza stage performances produced by Get in Touch, as well as the official video for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, “MAZEKOZE Island Tour.”
Each time, I’m reminded of just how extraordinary they are—absolutely breathtaking!
The thought that Isshi-za is now facing a threat to its very survival is simply unacceptable.
Let’s all come together to support 一糸座(Isshi-za)—a company that cherishes tradition while boldly embracing new creative challenges. Supporting them means nurturing and advancing the future of Japanese entertainment itself!
女流義太夫(Female Gidayū Narrator) / 竹本 越孝様(Ms. Koshikou TAKEMOTO)
義太夫三味線(Gidayū Shamisen Player) / 鶴澤 三寿々様(Ms. Sansuzu TSURUZAWA)
一糸座(Isshi-za) carries forward the rich traditions of the Edo period while continuing to evolve its artistry. Our connection with them runs deep—not only in our generation, but also through our teachers—especially through their long-standing ties to Joryū Gidayū¹ (female Gidayu narration).
Their creativity, technical mastery, and adventurous spirit are truly unmatched. People of all generations can enjoy their performances.
We wholeheartedly support Isshi-za’s crowdfunding campaign. Please don’t miss the chance to see their remarkable puppetry up close—it’s an unforgettable experience.
Singer-Songwriter
大藤 史様(Ms. Fumi ŌTŌ)
This spring, I had the honor of composing the music and theme song for 一糸座(Isshi-za)’s new string puppet play, Kamigami no Sato (The Village of the Gods) – where myth lives on as a guiding light.
When seen up close, the string puppets seem truly alive. Watching them stirred something deep inside me—like returning to the wonder of childhood. I couldn’t take my eyes off them. I was completely captivated.
These puppets gently bring back the tender feelings we may have forgotten—like the warmth of a parent’s or grandparent’s hands that comforted us when we were little.
I believe that watching a traditional string puppet performance like this not only brings joy, but also nurtures a sense of identity—connecting us with our history, our ancestors, and the spirit of Japan itself. This feeling becomes a source of strength to face tomorrow.
It is my heartfelt wish that many people will experience the stage of 一糸座(Isshi-za), and that the rich spirit of Japan will be passed down into the future.
I sincerely hope you will lend your support to help make that happen.
President, Sustainable Town Inc.
萩元 直樹様(Mr. Naoki HAGIMOTO)
Traditional culture is a precious gift passed down from those who came before us. The art of Japanese string puppetry has endured through countless challenges since the Edo period, and I deeply respect the passion and commitment of 一糸座(Isshi-za) as they continue to safeguard this tradition into the future.
I am always moved by the dedication of 一糸座(Isshi-za)’s members—many of whom are my contemporaries—including Isshi YOUKI, as they devote themselves wholeheartedly to daily rehearsals, performances, puppet-making, and the company’s operations.
And through the long history woven by Dennai EDO and Tamiko YOUKI, I feel the deep weight of nearly 400 years of time and artistry.
It has led me to reflect on this question,
Is it not our responsibility—those of us who cherish culture—to become the ones who now pass tradition on to the future?
I earnestly hope that 100 years from now, people will still be able to experience the beauty of string puppetry. The joy of future generations in discovering this art is something that we, in the present, are entrusted with. I’m already looking forward to next year’s stage!
That is why I wholeheartedly support 一糸座(Isshi-za)’s challenge. I invite all of you to join me in supporting them. Let us come together to pass this irreplaceable cultural treasure on to the future.
【Important Notes Regarding This Project】
※Please note that, due to unforeseen circumstances such as natural disasters or changes in the social climate—including the spread of COVID-19—certain events or reward-related activities may be canceled, postponed, or altered. In such cases, your contributions will be allocated toward any costs related to the cancellation or postponement, and we will not be able to offer refunds.
※Once the initial funding goal has been reached, no refunds, cancellations, or changes to the return items can be accepted. We kindly ask for your understanding and support under these terms.
※Messages submitted as “cheering comments” at the time of your contribution may be used for project updates, promotional materials, or other public communications related to this campaign.
Project Manager: Megumi TANAKA (糸あやつり人形一糸座 Ito Ayatsuri Ningyo Isshi-za)
Project Completion Date: December 31, 2026
【Project Overview and Use of Funds】
糸あやつり人形一糸座(Ito Ayatsuri Ningyo Isshi-za), a puppet theatre company dedicated to preserving the centuries-old tradition of Edo-period 糸あやつり人形(“Ito Ayatsuri Ningyo”, a traditional form of Japanese string puppetry), is currently facing an existential crisis due to severe financial difficulties. We are seeking your support to help ensure the company’s survival. Funds raised will be used to sustain our operations, including rehearsal space maintenance, partial repayment of loans, personnel costs, and production expenses for our self-produced performances.
Support Tiers for the Project
NOTICE:
◇Only credit card payments are accepted for international contributions. Please note that international payments may take several days to be processed. For this reason, we kindly ask that only supporters residing outside Japan use a credit card for payment.
◇Due to shipping limitations, we kindly ask international supporters not to select reward tiers that include merchandies only. If such a tier is selected, we may need to contact you directly to make arrangements. However, the following items can be selected by international supporters:
・【Bring a Puppet Home】 Classic Puppet Replica – Yaegaki-hime
・【Bring a Puppet Home】 Replica Puppet Set: Benkei and Ushiwakamaru from “Hashi Benkei”
・【Bring a Puppet Home】 Kotobuki Shishi Puppet
We kindly ask that you contact us first.
We sincerely appreciate your understanding and cooperation.
◇Please check here
for how to support our project ➡
タイトル
【映像を観て応援】
特別アトリエ公演 映像プレゼント
【Support by Watching】
Special Atelier Performance –
Video Access
No
1
Details:
•A URL link to a video recording of the Special Atelier Performance (This will contain the same content as the in-person event.Please refrain from sharing the video link publicly.)
•Your name will be listed in the 一糸座(Isshi-za) program booklet (small size, optional)
•A thank-you email including a link to a short puppet performance video
Pamphlet Name Listing
If you would like your name to be included in the 一糸座(Isshi-za) pamphlet, please enter your preferred name when prompted.
If you prefer not to be listed, simply write “No listing.”
Optional Additional Support
If you would like to further support our efforts, we warmly welcome you to combine this reward with the “Support with Your Heart” option.
15,000 yen + system usage fee
Availability: Unlimited
Scheduled delivery: March 2026
【観劇して応援】
一糸座の通常アトリエ公演へのご招待
【Support by Theatergoing】
Invitation to a Standard Atelier ｜in Kodaira, Tokyo
10,000 yen + system usage fee
Availability: Unlimited
Scheduled delivery: December 2026
No
2
Details:
•One ticket to a standard Atelier performance by 一糸座(Isshi-za)
•One seat per unit of support
•Venue: 一糸座(Isshi-za) Atelier in Kodaira City, Tokyo)
•Valid from December 2025 to December 2026(Multiple performances are planned during this period)
•Details about upcoming Atelier performances will be sent via email by the end of November 2025
•A thank-you email including a link to a short puppet performance video
•一糸座(Isshi-za)’s official program booklet
•Your name listed in the program booklet (small size, optional)
Pamphlet Name Listing:
If you would like your name to be included in the 一糸座(Isshi-za) pamphlet, please enter your preferred name when prompted.
If you prefer not to be listed, simply write “No listing.”
Optional Additional Support
If you would like to further support our efforts, we warmly welcome you to combine this reward with the “Support with Your Heart” option.
【観劇して応援】
特別アトリエ公演へのご招待｜
2025年9月19日（金）14:00-
【Support by Theatergoing】Invitation to a Special Atelier ｜September 19, 2025 (Fri) at 14:00 in Kodaira, Tokyo
20,000 yen + system usage fee
Availability: Limited to 30 seats
Scheduled delivery: September 2025
No
3
Details:
•Special Atelier Performance: Modoribashi and Tsunayakata
•Date and Time: Friday, September 19, 2025 at 14:00
•Venue: 一糸座(Isshi-za) Atelier (Kodaira City, Tokyo)
•One seat per unit of support
•One drink from the on-site café “Ōwani-dōri”
•A limited-edition tenugui (traditional Japanese hand towel)
•A thank-you email including a link to a short puppet performance video
•一糸座(Isshi-za)’s official program booklet
•Your name listed in the program booklet (medium size, optional)
Pamphlet Name Listing:
If you would like your name to be included in the 一糸座(Isshi-za) pamphlet, please enter your preferred name when prompted.
If you prefer not to be listed, simply write “No listing.”
Optional Additional Support:
If you would like to further support our efforts, we warmly welcome you to combine this reward with the “Support with Your Heart” option.
【観劇して応援】
特別アトリエ公演へのご招待｜
2025年9月20日（金）14:00-
【Support by Theatergoing】Invitation to a Special Atelier ｜September 20, 2025 (Sat) 14:00 in Kodaira, Tokyo
20,000 yen + system usage fee
Availability: Limited to 30 seats
Scheduled delivery: September 2025
No
4
Details:
•Special Atelier Performance: Modoribashi and Tsunayakata
•Date: Saturday, September 20, 2025 at 14:00
•Venue: 一糸座(Isshi-za) Atelier in Kodaira City, Tokyo
•One seat per contribution
•One drink at the café Ōwani Dōri
•Limited-edition tenugui (Japanese hand towel)
•Thank-you email with a link to a puppet video
•一糸座(Isshi-za) pamphlet
•Name listing in the pamphlet (medium size, optional)
Pamphlet Name Listing:
If you would like your name to be included in the 一糸座(Isshi-za) pamphlet, please enter your preferred name when prompted.
If you prefer not to be listed, simply write “No listing.”
Optional Additional Support:
If you would like to further support our efforts, we warmly welcome you to combine this reward with the “Support with Your Heart” option.
【観劇して応援】
2026年の主催公演へご招待
＋支援者限定バックステージツアー
【Support by Theatergoing】Invitation to the 2026 Main Performance + Exclusive Backstage Tour ｜in Japan
30,000 yen + platform fee
Availability: Limited to 100 seats
Estimated Delivery: December 2026
No
5
Details:
•Invitation to 一糸座(Isshi-za)’s 2026 Main Performance Choice of:
•One seat at two separate performances (premium seating), or Two seats (pair) for one performance (premium seating)
•Crowdfunding Exclusive: Backstage Tour You will be invited on a special backstage tour during the main performance, exclusively for supporters.
•Limited-edition tenugui (Japanese hand towel)
•Thank-you email with a link to a puppet video
•一糸座(Isshi-za) pamphlet
•Name listing in the pamphlet (medium size, optional)
Additional Notes:
•Seating arrangements may vary depending on the venue and performance content. We will contact you individually to coordinate seating.
•This invitation is valid from January to December 2026.
•Detailed performance information will be shared via email by the end of December 2025.
•Due to limited premium seating at some venues, the number of guests per performance may be restricted.
Pamphlet Name Listing:
If you would like your name to be included in the 一糸座(Isshi-za) pamphlet, please enter your preferred name when prompted.
If you prefer not to be listed, simply write “No listing.”
Optional Additional Support:
If you would like to further support our efforts, we warmly welcome you to combine this reward with the “Support with Your Heart” option.
【観劇して応援】
一糸座アトリエ貸し切り公演
（観覧人数：2名〜20名様まで）
【Support by Theatergoing】 Private Atelier by 一糸座(Isshi-za) (For 2–20 Guests)
in Kodaira, Tokyo
¥200,000 + platform fee
Availability: Unlimited
Estimated Delivery: December 2026
No
6
Details:
•Private performance by 一糸座(Isshi-za) at our atelier in Kodaira, Tokyo
•For groups of 2 to 20 guests
•Performance duration: approximately 60–90 minutes (to be decided in consultation with the supporter)
•Sample repertoire options include: “Sanbasō” “Hashi Benkei” “Yaoya Oshichi, Hinomi Yagura Scene” “Tanokyū” “Honchō Nijūshikō, Okuniwa Kitsunebi Scene”
•Valid for performances held between January and December 2026
•Performance arrangements and scheduling will be discussed via email by the end of September 2025
•Thank-you email with a link to a puppet video
•一糸座(Isshi-za) pamphlet
•Name listing in the pamphlet (large size, optional)
Pamphlet Name Listing:
If you would like your name to be included in the 一糸座(Isshi-za) pamphlet, please enter your preferred name when prompted.
If you prefer not to be listed, simply write “No listing.”
【観劇して応援】
出張公演 上演＋人形操作体験｜関東・日帰り
【Support by Theatergoing】 Traveling Performance + Hands-on Puppetry Experience｜
The Kanto region of Japan，only for day trip
400,000 yen + platform fee
Availability: Unlimited
Estimated Delivery: December 2026
No
7
Details:
•A special performance of a classical piece by Isshi-za at your chosen venue in the Kanto region, including a hands-on puppet manipulation experience.
•Planned repertoire includes:
•“Sanbasō” “Kotobuki Shishi” (Auspicious Lion Dance) “Shōjōji no Tanukibayashi” (Raccoon Dog Dance at Shojoji Temple) “Yaoya Oshichi”
•Total duration (including the hands-on portion): approximately 60–90 minutes
•Additional time will be required for setup and takedown
•Thank-you email with a link to a puppet video
•一糸座(Isshi-za) pamphlet
•Name listing in the pamphlet (large size, optional)
Important Notes:
•The supporter is responsible for securing and arranging the venue. Please notify us in advance of potential venues, as setup time and staffing requirements may vary.
•This offer is valid only for day trip, round-trip travel within The Kanto region of Japan:
(Ibaraki, Tochigi, Gunma, Saitama, Chiba, Tokyo, and Kanagawa prefectures)
•The event date will be scheduled to take place before the end of December 2026
•Further details will be provided via email by the end of September 2025, after the crowdfunding campaign concludes
•For any questions about this reward, please contact 一糸座(Isshi-za) directly:
Tel: 042-313-5205
Email: isshiza@gmail.com
Pamphlet Name Listing:
If you would like your name to be included in the 一糸座(Isshi-za) pamphlet, please enter your preferred name when prompted.
If you prefer not to be listed, simply write “No listing.”
【観劇して応援】
出張公演 上演＋人形操作体験｜日本全国限定(※離島は除く)
【Support by Theatergoing】 Traveling Performance + Hands-on Puppetry Experience｜
Only available in Japan, excluding isolated islands.
1,000,000 yen + platform fee
Availability: Unlimited
Estimated Delivery: December 2026
No
8
Details:
•A special performance of a classical piece by 一糸座(Isshi-za) at your preferred venue anywhere in Japan (excluding remote islands), combined with a hands-on puppet manipulation experience.
•Planned repertoire includes:
• “Sanbasō” “Kotobuki Shishi” (Auspicious Lion Dance) “Shōjōji no Tanukibayashi” (Raccoon Dog Dance at Shōjōji Temple) “Yaoya Oshichi – Scene at the Fire Watchtower”
•Total duration (including the hands-on experience): approximately 60–90 minutes
•Additional time will be required for setup and takedown
•Thank-you email with a link to a puppet video
•一糸座(Isshi-za) pamphlet
•Name listing in the pamphlet (large size, optional)
Important Notes:
・Only available in Japan, excluding isolated islands.
•The supporter is responsible for arranging the performance venue. Please inform us of your preferred venue in advance, as staffing and setup time may vary depending on the location.
•Transportation and accommodation (if required) for 一糸座(Isshi-za) are included in the support amount.
•The performance will be scheduled to take place by the end of December 2026.
•Further details will be provided via email by the end of September 2025, after the conclusion of the crowdfunding campaign.
•For questions regarding this reward, please contact 一糸座(Isshi-za) directly:
Tel: 042-313-5205
Email: isshiza@gmail.com
Pamphlet Name Listing:
If you would like your name to be included in the 一糸座(Isshi-za) pamphlet, please enter your preferred name when prompted.
If you prefer not to be listed, simply write “No listing.”
【人形操作体験で応援】
アトリエで人形操作体験ワークショップ
【Hands-on Puppetry Experience】
Puppet Manipulation Workshop at the 一糸座(Isshi-za) Atelier｜in Kodaira City, Tokyo
No
9
Details:
•Participate in a hands-on puppet manipulation workshop at the 一糸座(Isshi-za) Atelier in Kodaira City, Tokyo.
•The date of the workshop will be scheduled individually between September and December 2025.
•After the crowdfunding campaign ends, we will contact you in the first week of September 2025 to arrange the date.
•Thank-you email with a link to a puppet video
•一糸座(Isshi-za) pamphlet
•Name listing in the pamphlet (small size, optional)
Pamphlet Name Listing:
If you would like your name to appear in the 一糸座(Isshi-za) pamphlet, please enter your preferred name when prompted.
If you prefer not to be listed, simply write “No listing.”
15,000 yen + platform fee
Availability: Limited to 20 participants
Estimated Delivery: September 2025
人形による「おめでとう」
メッセージ動画（1分程度）
Custom “Congratulations” Message Video Performed by Puppet (Approx. 1 Minute)
No
10
Details:
•Receive a personalized video message (approx. 1 minute) performed by a puppet to celebrate a special occasion.
•The message will be customized with your chosen recipient and occasion.
(Example: A birthday message for “Ms.○○”)
•Each video is individually recorded using puppets from the 一糸座(Isshi-za) collection.
Please note that you cannot select which puppet will appear in the video.
•Thank-you email with a link to the puppet video
•Name listing in the一糸座(Isshi-za) pamphlet (small size, optional)
Pamphlet Name Listing:
If you would like your name to appear in the 一糸座(Isshi-za) pamphlet, please enter your preferred name when prompted.
If you prefer not to be listed, simply write “No listing.”
10,000 yen + platform fee
Availability: Unlimited
Estimated Delivery: December 2025
人形による「オリジナル」メッセージ動画（1分程度）
Custom “Original” Message Video Performed by Puppet (Approx. 1 Minute)
30,000 yen + platform fee
Availability: Unlimited
Estimated Delivery: December 2025
No
11
Details:
•Receive a fully customized message video (approx. 1 minute) performed by a puppet.
•The content will be created based on your request and delivered as a unique, personalized video.
•Perfect for surprising friends or family with a lighthearted and fun message.
•Each video is individually recorded using puppets from the 一糸座(Isshi-za) collection.
Please note that the specific puppet featured cannot be chosen.
•Thank-you email with a link to the puppet video
•Name listing in the 一糸座(Isshi-za) pamphlet (medium size, optional)
Pamphlet Name Listing:
If you would like your name to appear in the 一糸座(Isshi-za) pamphlet, please enter your preferred name when prompted.
If you prefer not to be listed, simply write “No listing.”
【グッズで応援】
Caféオオワニ通リのオオワニブレンド ドリップコーヒー
【Support with Goods】
“Ōwani Blend” Drip Coffee from Café Ōwani-dōri｜For Residents of Japan Only
No
12
Note:
This reward is only available to supporters residing in Japan due to shipping limitations. We sincerely appreciate your understanding.
Details:
•Ōwani Blend Drip Coffee (5 sachets)
Enjoy the taste of Café Ōwani-dōri—run by 一糸座(Isshi-za) at home with this special drip coffee created exclusively for this crowdfunding campaign. Ōwani Blend is one of the café’s most popular offerings.
•Thank-you email with a link to a puppet video
•一糸座(Isshi-za) pamphlet
•Name listing in the 一糸座(Isshi-za) pamphlet (small size, optional)
Pamphlet Name Listing:
If you would like your name to appear in the 一糸座(Isshi-za) pamphlet, please enter your preferred name when prompted.
If you prefer not to be listed, simply write “No listing.”
10,000 yen + platform fee
Availability: Unlimited
Estimated Delivery: December 2025
【グッズで応援】
クラウドファンディング限定オリジナル手ぬぐい
【Support with Goods】
Crowdfunding-Exclusive Original Tenugui Towel｜For Residents of Japan Only
No
13
Note:
Due to shipping constraints, this reward is available only to supporters residing in Japan. We sincerely appreciate your understanding.
Details:
•Original Tenugui Towel
A crowdfunding-exclusive tenugui (traditional Japanese hand towel) designed by Marina YOUKI
The design is inspired by the special atelier performance pieces Modoribashi and Tsunayakata.
•Thank-you email with a link to a puppet video
•一糸座(Isshi-za) pamphlet
•Name listing in the 一糸座(Isshi-za) pamphlet (small size, optional)
Pamphlet Name Listing:
If you would like your name to appear in the 一糸座(Isshi-za) pamphlet, please enter your preferred name when prompted.
If you prefer not to be listed, simply write “No listing.”
15,000 yen + platform fee
Availability: Unlimited
Estimated Delivery: December 2025
【グッズで応援】
手ぬぐい＋オオワニ通リ グッズセット
【Support with Goods】
Original Tenugui Towel ＋ Café Ōwani-dōri｜For Residents of Japan Only
No
14
Note:
Due to shipping limitations, this reward is available only to supporters residing in Japan. We sincerely appreciate your understanding.
Details:
•Original Tenugui Towel
A crowdfunding-exclusive hand towel designed by Marina YOUKI, inspired by the special atelier performance pieces Modoribashi and Tsunayakata.
•Café Ōwani-dōri Mug Set (2 Colors)
•Café Ōwani-dōri Sticker
•Thank-you email with a link to a puppet video
•一糸座(Isshi-za) pamphlet
•Name listing in the 一糸座(Isshi-za) pamphlet (medium size, optional)
Pamphlet Name Listing:
If you would like your name to appear in the 一糸座(Isshi-za) pamphlet, please enter your preferred name when prompted.
If you prefer not to be listed, simply write “No listing.”
25,000 yen + platform fee
Availability: Unlimited
Estimated Delivery: December 2025
【グッズで応援】
過去公演ポスター3枚セット「少女仮面」「猟師グラフス」「崩壊」
【Support with Goods】
Set of 3 Posters from Past Performances("Shōjo Kamen", "Hunter Graphe", "Collapse"). ｜For Residents of Japan Only)
No
15
Note:
Due to shipping costs, this reward is available only to supporters residing in Japan. We sincerely appreciate your understanding.
Details:
•Set of 3 Posters from 一糸座(Isshi-za)’s Popular Contemporary Productions:
"Shōjo Kamen" "Hunter Graphe" "Collapse – In Pursuit of the White Whale"
•Original Tenugui Towel
A crowdfunding-exclusive design by Marina YOUKI, inspired by the special atelier performance pieces Modoribashi and Tsunayakata
•Ōwani Café Mug Set (2 Colors)
•Ōwani Café Sticker
•Thank-you email with a link to a puppet video
•一糸座(Isshi-za) pamphlet
•Name listing in the 一糸座(Isshi-za) pamphlet (large size, optional)
Pamphlet Name Listing:
If you would like your name to appear in the 一糸座(Isshi-za) pamphlet, please enter your preferred name when prompted.
If you prefer not to be listed, simply write “No listing.”
35,000 yen + platform fee
Availability: Unlimited
Estimated Delivery: December 2025
【グッズで応援｜クラファン限定】
結城まりな オリジナル作品
【Support with Goods｜Crowdfunding Exclusive】
Original Artwork by Marina YOUKI｜ For Residents of Japan Only
50,000 yen + platform fee
Availability: Limited to 5
Estimated Delivery: December 2026
No
16
Note:
Due to shipping costs, this reward is available only to supporters residing in Japan. We sincerely appreciate your understanding.
Details:
•Original artwork by Marina YOUKI,
who is responsible for the stage and puppet design of 一糸座(Isshi-za)’s productions.
This exclusive piece is handcrafted using wood inspired by the Teita (control boards used to manipulate the puppets), which are essential tools in Japanese string puppetry.
The artwork will be created after the crowdfunding campaign ends, so please allow some time for its production and delivery.
Since 一糸座(Isshi-za) began hosting atelier performances, most of the newly created stage designs have been produced by Marina YOUKI. She also received high praise for her work in the February–March 2025 production of "Kamigami no Sato (The Village of the Gods)", for which she designed all stage and puppet elements.
•Thank-you email with a link to a puppet video
•一糸座(Isshi-za) pamphlet
•Name listing in the 一糸座(Isshi-za) pamphlet (large size, optional)
Pamphlet Name Listing:
If you would like your name to appear in the 一糸座(Isshi-za) pamphlet, please enter your preferred name when prompted.
If you prefer not to be listed, simply write “No listing.”
【人形をお手元に】
一糸座オリジナル猫人形クラファンバージョン｜日本在住の方限定
【Bring a Puppet Home】
一糸座(Isshi-za) Original Cat Puppet – Crowdfunding Edition ｜For Residents of Japan Only
No
17
Note:
Due to shipping costs, this reward is available only to supporters residing in Japan. We sincerely appreciate your understanding.
Details:
•A crowdfunding-exclusive version of 一糸座(Isshi-za)’s original cat-shaped puppet, crafted with special attention to its ease of movement and charming form.
This is a unique puppet handmade by the artists of 一糸座(Isshi-za).
•Thank-you email with a link to a puppet video
•一糸座(Isshi-za) pamphlet
•Name listing in the 一糸座(Isshi-za) pamphlet (large size, optional)
Pamphlet Name Listing:
If you would like your name to appear in the 一糸座(Isshi-za) pamphlet, please enter your preferred name when prompted.
If you prefer not to be listed, simply write “No listing.”
120,000 yen + platform fee
Availability: Unlimited
Estimated Delivery: December 2026
【人形をお手元に】
古典人形レプリカ1体（八重垣姫）
【Bring a Puppet Home】
Classic Puppet Replica – Yaegaki-hime ｜ Worldwide Shipping Available
1,000,000 yen + platform fee
Availability: 1 only
Estimated Delivery: December 2026
No
18
Note:
That production will begin after the crowdfunding campaign ends, and delivery will require additional time.
We kindly ask that you contact us first. For questions regarding this reward, please contact 一糸座(Isshi-za) directly:
Tel: 042-313-5205
Email: isshiza@gmail.com
Details:
•A replica of Yaegaki-hime, the heroine of the classic scene “The Fox Fire in the Inner Garden” from Honchō Nijūshikō.
This puppet was originally created for the debut performance of the fourth-generation Isshi YOUKI.
Only one replica will be produced and delivered in a paulownia wood box.
Please note that production will begin after the crowdfunding campaign ends, and delivery will require additional time.
•Thank-you email with a link to a puppet video
•一糸座(Isshi-za) pamphlet
•Name listing in the 一糸座(Isshi-za) pamphlet (extra-large size, optional)
Pamphlet Name Listing:
If you would like your name to appear in the 一糸座(Isshi-za) pamphlet, please enter your preferred name when prompted.
If you prefer not to be listed, simply write “No listing.”
【人形をお手元に】
橋弁慶人形（弁慶と牛若丸）レプリカ 描画背景（結城まりな作）つき
【Bring a Puppet Home】
Replica Puppet Set: Benkei and Ushiwakamaru from “Hashi Benkei”
Includes Painted Scenic Backdrop by Marina YOUKI ｜ Worldwide Shipping Available
1,500,000 yen + platform fee
Availability: 1 only
Estimated Delivery: December 2026
No
19
Note:
That production will begin after the crowdfunding campaign ends, and delivery will require additional time.
We kindly ask that you contact us first. For questions regarding this reward, please contact 一糸座(Isshi-za) directly:
Tel: 042-313-5205
Email: isshiza@gmail.com
Details:
•A replica puppet set of Benkei and Ushiwakamaru from the classic scene “Hashi Benkei”, including small props.
•Includes a custom hand-painted scenic backdrop by Marina YOUKI, inspired by the original stage set.
•The set is designed for display purposes, allowing you to enjoy the puppets in a theatrical setting.
•Thank-you email with a link to a puppet video
•一糸座(Isshi-za) pamphlet
•Name listing in the 一糸座(Isshi-za) pamphlet (extra-large size, optional)
Pamphlet Name Listing:
If you would like your name to appear in the一糸座(Isshi-za) pamphlet, please enter your preferred name when prompted.
If you prefer not to be listed, simply write “No listing.”
【人形をお手元に】
寿獅子人形
【Bring a Puppet Home】
Kotobuki Shishi Puppet ｜ Worldwide Shipping Available
No
20
Details:
•An original Kotobuki Shishi puppet
•This puppet was actually used on stage by Dennai EDO.
•The control board (teita) is newly crafted; all other parts are original.
•Delivered in a traditional paulownia wood box.
•Thank-you email with a link to a puppet video
•一糸座(Isshi-za) pamphlet
•Name listing in the 一糸座(Isshi-za) pamphlet (extra-large size, optional)
Pamphlet Name Listing:
If you would like your name to appear in the 一糸座(Isshi-za) pamphlet, please enter your preferred name when prompted.
If you prefer not to be listed, simply write “No listing.”
2,000,000 yen + platform fee
Availability: 1 only
Estimated Delivery: December 2025
【法人様向けコース】
コマーシャル動画への人形出演
【Corporate Sponsorship Option】
Puppet Appearance in a Commercial Video
300,000 yen + platform fee
Availability: Unlimited
Estimated Delivery: December 2026
No
21
Details:
•Puppet appearance in your commercial video (basic package)
•Valid from January 2026 to December 2026
•Additional fees may apply depending on the content and scale of your request
•If the production size or number of puppeteers increases, we will provide a separate quote
•For any questions about this reward, please contact 一糸座(Isshi-za) directly
(Tel: 042-313-5205 / Email: isshiza@gmail.com)
•Thank-you email with a link to a puppet video
•Name listing in the 一糸座(Isshi-za) pamphlet (large size, optional)
Pamphlet Name Listing:
If you would like your name to appear in the 一糸座(Isshi-za) pamphlet, please enter your preferred name when prompted.
If you prefer not to be listed, simply write “No listing.”
【法人様向けコース】
冠公演｜アトリエ公演への冠協賛
【Corporate Sponsorship Option】
Title Sponsorship of an Atelier Performance
No
22
Details:
•Title sponsorship for an 一糸座(Isshi-za) atelier performance
•You may consult with us to choose the performance program
•Performances are typically held over 4 days in a month
•For extended sponsorship (e.g. over 2 consecutive months), we will discuss the schedule with you individually
•Thank-you email with a link to a puppet video
•Name listing in the 一糸座(Isshi-za) pamphlet (extra-large size, optional)
Pamphlet Name Listing:
If you would like your name to appear in the 一糸座(Isshi-za) pamphlet, please enter your preferred name when prompted.
If you prefer not to be listed, simply write “No listing.”
1,000,000 yen + platform fee
Availability: Unlimited
Estimated Delivery: December 2026
【お気持ち応援コースA】
【Support from the Heart】
Course A
No
23
Note:
This option is for those who do not require any special return gifts.
Your generous support will be used directly to sustain and advance our activities.
Multiple units of this course may be purchased.
Details:
•Thank-you email with a link to a puppet video
•Name listing in the 一糸座(Isshi-za) pamphlet (small size, optional)
Pamphlet Name Listing:
If you would like your name to appear in the一糸座(Isshi-za) pamphlet, please enter your preferred name when prompted.
If you prefer not to be listed, simply write “No listing.”
5,000 yen + platform fee
Availability: Unlimited
Estimated Delivery: December 2025
【お気持ち応援コースB】
【Support from the Heart】
Course B
No
24
Note:
This option is for those who do not require any special return gifts.
Your generous support will be used directly to sustain and advance our activities.
Multiple units of this course may be purchased.
Details:
•Thank-you email with a link to a puppet video
•Name listing in the 一糸座(Isshi-za) pamphlet (small size, optional)
Pamphlet Name Listing:
If you would like your name to appear in the一糸座(Isshi-za) pamphlet, please enter your preferred name when prompted.
If you prefer not to be listed, simply write “No listing.”
10,000 yen + platform fee
Availability: Unlimited
Estimated Delivery: December 2025
【お気持ち応援コースC】
【Support from the Heart】
Course C
No
24
Note:
This option is for those who do not require any special return gifts.
Your generous support will be used directly to sustain and advance our activities.
Multiple units of this course may be purchased.
Details:
•Thank-you email with a link to a puppet video
•Name listing in the 一糸座(Isshi-za) pamphlet (small size, optional)
Pamphlet Name Listing:
If you would like your name to appear in the一糸座(Isshi-za) pamphlet, please enter your preferred name when prompted.
If you prefer not to be listed, simply write “No listing.”
50,000 yen + platform fee
Availability: Unlimited
Estimated Delivery: December 2025
【お気持ち応援コースD】
【Support from the Heart】
Course D
No
25
Note:
This option is for those who do not require any special return gifts.
Your generous support will be used directly to sustain and advance our activities.
Multiple units of this course may be purchased.
Details:
•Thank-you email with a link to a puppet video
•Name listing in the 一糸座(Isshi-za) pamphlet (small size, optional)
Pamphlet Name Listing:
If you would like your name to appear in the一糸座(Isshi-za) pamphlet, please enter your preferred name when prompted.
If you prefer not to be listed, simply write “No listing.”
100,000 yen + platform fee
Availability: Unlimited
Estimated Delivery: December 2025
【お気持ち応援】
のぼりへお名前記載
【Support from the Heart】
Name Featured on a Nobori Banner
No
26
Details:
•Your name will be featured on a nobori (vertical banner) displayed at 一糸座(Isshi-za) performances
•Thank-you email with a link to a puppet video
•Name listing in the一糸座(Isshi-za) pamphlet (large size, optional)
Pamphlet Name Listing:
If you would like your name to appear in the 一糸座(Isshi-za) pamphlet, please enter your preferred name when prompted.
If you prefer not to be listed, simply write “No listing.”
200,000 yen + platform fee
Availability: Unlimited
Estimated Delivery: December 2025