Bando Jurobe is a real character, who is also famous as one of the main characters in the drama 'Keisei Awa's Naruto', a masterpiece of Joruri puppetry, which peaked in the Edo period. Awa's house has been preserved to this day and is a Joruri puppet theater.
   The building dates back 300 years and embodies Awa's spirit in its stately gate and Genroku-style garden with its black pine trees and natural stones.
   Awa was an informal rice smuggler. At that time, it was prohibited to sell rice independently. Because the farmers in Awa's area were encouraged to produce indigo and salt, there was a rice shortage and Awa was forced to smuggle.
   When one of Awa's subordinates got caught, he was punished without the crime being named to avoid a government inquiry. People sympathized with Awa, which eventually led to his character being featured in Joruri puppet performances.