Mar ~ Marionetas | Espinho International Puppet Festival

Mar~Marionetas - Festival Internacional de Marionetas de Espinho 2025

Samurai - Iwami Jyūtarō [ SHOW ]

• Kôichi Iimuro (Minomushi) < JAPAN
• M/6 . 45mins . free access


• free access on a first-come, first-served basis, with prior collection of tickets and subject to venue capacity

Samurai - Iwami Jyūtarō

This traditional Japanese puppet performance brings to life a tale rooted in Japanese folklore, centering on the legendary samurai hero, Iwami Jyūtarō.

Known for his incredible strength and bravery, Iwami Jyūtarō embarks on a perilous quest. In this story, he confronts a fearsome supernatural creature – the monstrous Hi-Hi, often depicted as a giant, ape-like snow monster that terrorizes a local community. The plot typically revolves around Jyūtarō's heroic battle against this formidable foe, often driven by the need to rescue villagers, particularly a young girl, from its clutches.

Presented using the intricate techniques of traditional 17th-century Japanese string puppetry (Ito-Ayatsuri), the show masterfully portrays the epic confrontation between the courageous samurai and the powerful monster. It's a classic tale celebrating heroism, courage, and the triumph of good over evil.

what the festival has to say

Being able to host international companies is always a great challenge, and Mar~Marionetas Festival, through a partnership with the Bienal Internacional de Marionetas de Évora (Évora International Puppet Biennale), has managed to arrange the arrival of this traditional company from Japan, which presents traditional tales using highly developed techniques such as strings.

This is an opportunity for us to travel, bringing us a whole culture that we are very passionate about. Japanese culture, also in the art of puppetry, has a strong presence, a strong development, which for the Festival is undoubtedly a moment of privilege and prestige.

Kôichi Iimuro (Minomushi)

Regarded as a leading figure in Japanese marionette theatre, Koichi Iimuro is dedicated to the exquisite art form of Edo Ito Ayatsuri Ningyo (Edo-style marionettes), a precious cultural heritage. Having honed his craft, including studies under the legendary Takeda Kinosuke, Iimuro brings centuries of tradition to life with remarkable skill and artistry.

Atelier Minomushi, often a family collaboration, creates enchanting performances that showcase meticulously crafted puppets and nuanced manipulation. Their work, appealing to both children and adults, is celebrated for its technical brilliance, character design, and the gentle humour often woven into their storytelling.

From their base in Kyoto, Kôichi Iimuro and Atelier Minomushi continue to preserve, innovate, and share the unique magic of Japanese marionette theatre with audiences both locally and internationally. They are true custodians of a fascinating and intricate performance art.

They have been in the puppetry craft for over 50 years and have made over 1000 puppets!

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