The Musée des Contes et Récits showcases the art of kamishibai at Japan Impact

The Musée des Contes et récits (Museum of Tales and Stories), based in Vevey, invites you to discover Kamishibai and learn about this art form during the 17th edition of Japan Impact. A selection of tales, legends, and other stories brought to life in pictures, centered around the theme of animals. Suitable for all ages, from 6 months old!

Kamishibai, a word composed of “Kami” (paper) and “shibai” (theater), is a Japanese art form that appeared in Japan in the late 1920s and contributed to the development of Japanese animation.

A kamishibaya-san was a street vendor who stopped at street corners in Japan. On the luggage rack of his bicycle was a large box with a wooden frame on top, which he lifted up and into which he slid an illustrated board that he showed to the audience. As the images scrolled by, he told the story, and when he had finished the episode, he would remove the image and slide in another one. These techniques are also used in animated films.

Why not try your hand at this art form? Take a seat in the Kamishibai Hall, either to listen or to read behind the wooden puppet theater, and share these stories with the convention’s visitors.🎭