Street kamishibai is a One-Man-Theatershow performed at a street corner in front of children as an audience.

The content of the so called "Educational Kamishibai" (printed Kamishibai) is important,so you cannot freely change the quotes and storyline. In contrast, the text on the back of a street kamishibai is simple and you can perform it according to the atmosphere at the actual place.

With street kamishibai we feel the charm and importance of "children's hangout" that has become less common now. And we cherish the interaction with children who gather for kamishibai in free spaces.

A day at a Kamishibai pictures

Around 1950 (Showa 25) was the golden age of Kamishibai. In the afternoon here and there one could hear the sound of wooden clappers to gather children, so it was hard to find a new place to perform kamishibai.

I got up around 7 o'clock A.M., exchanged kamishibai pictures and bought and prepared sweets in the morning.

Children liked original sweets better than standard ones, so I baked "dried squid" and molded melted candy called "bekko-ame".

When school was over at 1:30 PM I 'went to work'.

In summer I performed at five places and in winter at three or four, because the days are short.

I was especially busy on Sundays, so I 'went to work' already at 10 AM.