Urgent Call to Save the 400-Year-Old Puppet Theater Tradition

The Crucial Challenge of Ishiza

For nearly 400 years, the Ishiza theater has been one of the few custodians of the ancient Japanese art of 'Ita Ayatsuri Ningyo,' or string puppetry. This captivating form of art, which dates back to the Edo period, has enchanted audiences for generations, evolving with the creative spirit and dedication of countless puppeteers. However, today, this cherished tradition faces a significant threat to its survival.

An Existential Crisis

The Ishiza theater finds itself at a crossroads, confronted by dire circumstances. The rising cost of living, drastic declines in school tour revenues, and unexpected cancellations of performances have severely strained its finances. While we have managed to piece together various revenue sources, the severity of the current crisis is overwhelming. The ongoing struggle to maintain our rehearsal spaces raises a pressing concern: Will we be able to perform next year or even the year after? This looming uncertainty is a harsh reality that we must face, leaving us teetering on the brink of collapse.

Traditions cannot survive without active practitioners. This is a vital thread of our cultural heritage that, if severed, cannot be restored.

A Determined Challenge

This moment is not just a crisis; it’s a bold challenge for our survival. We are dedicated to preserving the legacy of our art form and ensuring that future audiences can connect with our puppets. We believe that support from those who appreciate our work can help us maintain this lifeline. Therefore, we have initiated a crowdfunding campaign aimed at securing the future of the Ishiza theater.

We urge media representatives to bring awareness to this critical juncture in our traditional art form, and we also invite the public to support our initiative. More details about the project can be found at the link below.

Project Link

The Commitment to Living Art

Ishiza is a theater company dedicated to passing down the techniques and history of 'Ita Ayatsuri Ningyo,' having overcome numerous crises throughout its existence. From the revival efforts of the 'Father of Modern Puppetry,' the ninth-generation Yuuki Sanzaburo, to the tenth-generation Yuuki Seisai, who preserved the classical forms during wartime, the spirit of innovation has been a hallmark of our history. Following in their footsteps, our representative, Edoden Nai (third-generation Yuuki Ichiyo), established Ishiza in 2003 with the aim of evolving our art into a 'living' form.

We do not merely aim to preserve the classics; we strive to develop and adapt them for contemporary audiences. With new co-productions with modern theater artists, workshops, and regular performances in our studio, we constantly explore fresh expressions. The studio, which we opened during the pandemic, has become essential for nurturing young puppeteers and enables us to maintain our classical performances on a regular basis.

Overcoming Today’s Challenges

Ishiza is currently preparing for exciting new productions scheduled for November 2025 with Akira Akatsu, February 2026 with Sankido's Kenji Hiroshi, and our performances in Asakusa. However, we find ourselves short on funds to meet these ambitious plans. It is essential to overcome today's challenges to bring these future performances to life.

Our crowdfunding campaign aims not just to weather this immediate crisis, but to ensure Ishiza can sustain itself in the future. The support we receive is a robust step toward a future where the art of 'Ita Ayatsuri Ningyo' continues to thrive.

We are committed to delivering this art form, which has been cherished for 400 years, with the hope that it resonates with audiences for centuries to come.

Funding Goals and Allocation

- First Target: 3,000,000 JPY

Funding to stabilize our financial situation and ensure continuity of operations. This includes partial repayment of loans incurred during the pandemic, staff salaries, and costs to maintain our rehearsal and storage spaces for about six months.

- Ultimate Goal: 10,000,000 JPY

Funding for stabilizing our cash flow and recovering operations. This will help secure the rehearsal space expenses, partially fund future performances, and expand awareness and operational improvements, including increased regular performances in our studios and digital archiving of classical works.

By supporting this campaign, you become a part of the thread that connects our past, present, and future.

Here at Ishiza, we believe 'traditional arts are like a thread connecting the past, present, and future.' We are dedicated to weaving this thread into a resilient link for future generations. Join us in this effort, and together, we can ensure that the Ishiza theater continues to inspire emotion and creativity for the next century and beyond.

Crowdfunding Project Summary

- Project Name: Facing the Crisis of 'Ita Ayatsuri Ningyo' - Overcoming Hardships for the Future
- Funding Period: Until August 31, 2025, 11:00 PM
- Funding Goals: First goal: 3,000,000 JPY; Final goal: 10,000,000 JPY
- Project URL: Project URL