Awaji Puppet Theater is a form of Ningyou Jyoururi, or traditional puppet theater, in which puppeteers manipulate dolls accompanied by joururi, a traditional narrative ballad played with shamisen, a three stringed instrument. Awaji Puppet Theater is a tradition that has been passed down over the years on Awaji-shima Island, Hyogo Prefecture.
According to historical records, Awaji is where Japanese puppet theater originated and this area is said to have produced many puppeteers who traveled to other parts of Japan practicing the craft.
Awaji Puppet Theater is characterized by the use of large puppets performing compelling period dramas with exaggerated movements. This is a vestige from the days when the performances took place in small huts called nogake which lacked adequate lighting.
Awaji Puppet Theater flourished during Edo period. However, today there remains only two puppet theater groups; Awaji Ningyo-za which plays at the Great Naruto Memorial Museum and Ichimura Rokunojyou-za which performs and is preserved at Awaji Ningyou Jyoururi Shiryoukan.