One man.
Multitudes of characters.
Your imagination.
Puppeteer & Director
Jo Taira has created an inimitable fusion of puppets and drama in a one-man format. He writes, directs, scores and performs his own shows as well as designing the puppets.
He became the youngest-ever winner at the Japan Puppet Theater Awards, netting the Silver Prize for his acclaimed take on Shuji Terayama’s avant-garde classic “La Marie-Vison”. His numerous other awards include a special prize by the Japanese government for one of his original works.
In 2011, he was invited by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to perform in the Palestinian Territories, becoming the first Japanese artist to tour the region.
He has also created and staged new works on commission by Tokyo Bunka Kaikan, the Kanagawa Arts Theatre and others.
He performs “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” regularly at the New National Theatre, Tokyo and has taken his wide repertory around Japan and abroad.
