Seeking kairaishi (Japanese Puppetry) information

[Matsuyama Yoshitoshi]

Greetings,

Am looking for some very specific information re: Kairaishi (Japanese puppetry).

As a project I am looking to construct a small, portable stage-box used by traveling Ebisu-mawashi or hako-mawashi hand-puppeteers. However, I cannot find the dimensions or any other details of how such boxes/stages were compartmentalised.

Yes, I can/could guesstimate some things from several of the pictures I have already unearthed but it would be greater yet to reproduce a facsimile of the real deal.

Any information would be greatly appreciated. TIA.

[Saionji Shonagon]

This person might know.
kuji.windycitywizard.com/sca_resume.htm

You can email him from here:
www.windycitywizard.com/Contact%20Form.htm

[Matsuyama Yoshitoshi]

Domo go-shinsetsu ni Saionji-hime.

Will most definitely contact said Lord.

[Matsuyama Yoshitoshi]

Well, it's been nearly two and a half years but I have finally managed to unearth the information ... courtesy of Mr. Katami Eimei, international puppeteer and curator of the Torokko Puppetry Library (Shiga). If anyone else is interested, PM me and I can forward the details.

[tanuki]

why not just share with the rest of us a basic gist, to whet the appetite so to speak, and see where it goes from there?

I, for one, am interested in the workings of kairaishi. I know how hard it is at times to get anything from anywhere but the source, but it's also great to share with others when the knowledge becomes available. Most of us wouldn't have our knowledge of armor without Bryant Sensei, or our knowledge on screen printing and garb if it wasn't for Saionji Sensei.

[Matsuyama Yoshitoshi]

I'm slowly collating any number of fragmentary notes for an A&S paper dealing with Puppetry in Period to be delivered at a Collegium early next year at Canterbury Faire (the Crescent Isles premier event). When I have every thing assembled (and edited to my satisfaction), I'll post further on the subject.