Literature: Kamishibai

Kamishibai

Included in Daily Life box, Visual Arts box, Literature box

• Description: Kamishibai,  or “picture-story shows” became popular in postwar Japan. It is a unique cultural artifact to Japan. A Kamishibai is a show performed by a storyteller using picture boards and a stage (similar to that of a puppet show). The storyteller recites the story out loud while withdrawing picture boards in accordance to the development of the plot.  It is said that Kamishibai originated as a way for shops selling cheap sweets and snacks to attract the attention of children.
  For more information, visit: http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/location/spot/museum/kyotomanga.html)

• Other Kamishibai Examples
  • Japan’s Four Seasons and Yearly Events
  • The One-Inch Boy
  • The Story of Tanabata

• Links
  • Book: Kamishibai Man (short story centered around kamishibai)
  • Book: Kamishibai Story Theater (a collection of stories and lessons)
  • Brief Information on Kamishibai
  • Journal about Kamishibai and the Art of Interval
  • Kamishibai for Kids
  • Kyoto International Manga Museum
  • Online Kamishibai
  • Video: Kamishibai in Pop Culture (time from 00:42 – 03:44)
  • Video: Explaining Kamishibai Storytelling
  • Video: What is Kamishibai?

• Lesson Plans (All are in PDF format)
  • Japan Day
  • Japanese Folktales – Ohio Japan Project
  • Japan/Kirigami Chain People – NCTA Ohio
  • Kamishibai for Turbulent Times – Ohio Japan Project

• Standard Reference
  (If you know of another standard that may link to this item, please add it to the comment box below.)
  • English Language Arts:
    • Grades K: Speaking and Listening – #1a, #5, #6
    • Grade 3: Reading Standards for Literature – #1, #2, #3, #5, #10
    • Grade 3-4: Foundational Skills – #4
    • Grade 3-4: Speaking and Listening Standards – #1, #2, #4, #5
    • Grade 4: Reading Standards for Literature – #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #7, #9
    • Grades K-10: Reading Standards – #10
    • Grades 6-12: Reading Standards for Informational Texts
    • Grades K-12: Reading Standards for Literature – #7, #9
    • Grades K-12: Speaking and Listening Standards – #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6
    • Grades K-12: Writing Standards – #3, #5, #6, #8
  • Social Studies:
    • Grade K: A Child’s Place in Time – #2
    • Grade K: A Child’s Place in Time – #3
    • Grade K: A Child’s Place in Time – #5
    • Grade K: A Child’s Place in Time – #6
    • Grade K: A Child’s Place in Time – #8
    • Grade K: A Child’s Place in Time – #12
    • Grade 1: Families Now and Long Ago, Near and Far – #2
    • Grade 1: Families Now and Long Ago, Near and Far – #4
    • Grade 1: Families Now and Long Ago, Near and Far – #5
    • Grade 2: People Working Together – #2
    • Grade 2: People Working Together – #5
    • Grade 2: People Working Together – #9
    • Grade 3: Communities: Past and Present, Near and Far – #5
    • Grade 3: Communities: Past and Present, Near and Far – #6
    • Grade 3: Communities: Past and Present, Near and Far – #8
    • Grade 10: Historical Thinking and Skills – #2
    • Grade 10: Historical Thinking and Skills – #4
    • Grade 10: Cold War (1945-1991) – #24
    • Grade 10: Cold War (1945-1991) – #25
    • Grade 10: Cold War (1945-1991) – #26
    • Grade 10: Social Transformations in the United States (1945-1994) – #28
  • Visual Arts:
    • Grade 2: 2PE, 3PE, 4PE, 6PE, 1PR, 4PR, 1RE, 6RE