The task focuses on getting to know and exploring the paper theater - kamishibai, as well as defining its role in kindergarten and educational work. The purpose of the task is also to understand the process of creating one's own kamishibai performance. Kamishibai is a unique form of storytelling where the kamishibai author has the freedom to choose creative techniques for creating images that are inserted into the butai and the freedom to choose a story. Although kamishibai originated in Japan, it is adapted differently to each culture. To perform a kamishibai show, a wooden stage called a butai is needed. The butai consists of double or triple doors, and the pictures are stored in the correct order behind the butai doors. The kamishibai performer plays an important role in the performance and must prepare well for it. The author of the kamishibai performance is expected to be honest, open, confident, articulate, emotional, and focused on the audience. Their storytelling must be in harmony with the pictures in the butai.
To create our own kamishibai, we need to follow some general guidelines. The first step is to choose a suitable story, followed by creating a script. After the script, the creation of the images to be used in the performance follows. Then, the preparation of the butai and the performance itself are carried out. To improve future performances, evaluation and improvements are necessary.
As kamishibai is gaining increasing importance in Slovenia, especially in educational work, I have decided to study it in detail and present it in my thesis. Within the research, three research questions are set: how to create a visual image for a kamishibai performance based on a story, what is the process of creating kamishibai from the visual image to the performance in front of the audience, and how does the implementation of kamishibai performances work in kindergartens.
The successful implementation of a kamishibai performance in a kindergarten depends on choosing a theme or story that is suitable for the children's age, as only then will they be able to understand the message the kamishibai performer is trying to convey. Kamishibai is an excellent way to combine storytelling, visual art, and theater. Based on the research findings, it can be concluded that kamishibai is an effective tool in educational work in kindergartens and can make a significant contribution to the development of children's emotional, social, and creative potential.
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