Sasago Village is located at the foot of Sasago Pass, the most dangerous spot along the old Koshu-kaido Road. Puppet shows were performed here to welcome travelers crossing over the pass. The tradition stretches back about 400 years, and the tradition of Sasago Oiwake Puppet Show – Nishikawa-za has been passed down over the generations.
Puppet shows are performed by three people, a chief puppeteer, a foot puppeteer, and a left puppeteer. The detailed movements performed by each puppeteer create a smooth flow of movement that attracts audiences.
The Legend of yoshiga-ike Pond had been performed for 800 years in the village. According to records, the story was performed under the title, “Yoshikubo Bijin Kagami and Shinran-Shonin Gohokai “Dokuhebi Saido-no Dan” until 70 years or more ago, when performances were discontinued. Along with the restoration of the Oiwake Puppet Show in 2004, people worked together to restore this program based on an old scenario. New arrangements were introduced and new heads were placed on the puppets.
Puppet shows are performed by three people, a chief puppeteer, a foot puppeteer, and a left puppeteer. The detailed movements performed by each puppeteer create a smooth flow of movement that attracts audiences.
The Legend of yoshiga-ike Pond had been performed for 800 years in the village. According to records, the story was performed under the title, “Yoshikubo Bijin Kagami and Shinran-Shonin Gohokai “Dokuhebi Saido-no Dan” until 70 years or more ago, when performances were discontinued. Along with the restoration of the Oiwake Puppet Show in 2004, people worked together to restore this program based on an old scenario. New arrangements were introduced and new heads were placed on the puppets.