SUWA×Bunraku 2024: Bringing the Love Story of Princess Yaegaki to Lake Suwa! Launching Crowdfunding for Free Performances and Filming at Lake Suwa

• Omoshirokai in Nagano Prefecture plans outdoor Bunraku performances to promote regional culture through historical community development.
• 'SUWA×Bunraku' events at Suwa Shrine Temple and Shoko-ji Temple aim to showcase traditional performing arts and cultural heritage to a wider audience.
• 'SUWA×Bunraku 2024' project in Suwa region features a spectacular outdoor Bunraku performance at Lake Suwa to promote tourism and cultural heritage preservation.

The nonprofit organization Omoshirokai, centered in the Suwa region of Nagano Prefecture, is conducting activities related to historical community development and cultural heritage preservation. They are planning to showcase traditional performing arts through outdoor Bunraku performances to promote regional culture. The crowdfunding campaign on 'READYFOR' aims to raise funds for this initiative.

In 2022, as part of the Suwa Shrine Temple's project, various temple treasures were unveiled. One of the related events planned was 'SUWA×Bunraku.' This event featured a performance of the Bunraku puppet theater play 'Honcho Nijushiko: Okunite Kitsune no Dan' at Shoko-ji Temple in Okaya City, known for its thousand-year history.

Due to its success, the event was reprised in 2023, including performances at Shoko-ji Temple and Suwa Seiryo Junior High School, providing children with the opportunity to learn about traditional performing arts and regional culture.

Building on the success of previous years, the 'SUWA×Bunraku 2024' project aims to stage a spectacular outdoor performance at Lake Suwa, with Princess Yaegaki's love story set against the backdrop of the frozen lake. The goal is to showcase the charm of the Suwa region to a wider audience and promote tourism, cultural heritage preservation for future generations, and environmental conservation of Lake Suwa.

The project includes a free outdoor performance at Lake Suwa on October 26, 2024, featuring the Bunraku play 'Honcho Nijushiko: Okunite Kitsune no Dan' performed by Bunraku Association artisans. Additionally, a special performance at Shoko-ji Temple on October 25, 2024, will be dedicated to the secret Buddha statue 'Senju Kannon' associated with Takeda Shingen.

Furthermore, the project aims to produce an archive video of the special Bunraku performances dedicated to Suwa Shrine and Lake Suwa.

This video will serve as a promotional tool for tourism and educational material for children, highlighting the history and culture of Suwa.

The crowdfunding campaign for 'SUWA×Bunraku 2024' runs from July 1 to August 23, 2024, with a goal of raising 3 million yen. Supporters can receive various rewards based on their contribution amount.

The initiative is organized by Omoshirokai in collaboration with several local organizations and with support from cultural institutions and funding bodies.