A chance to catch a glimpse of a rare form of Japanese puppetry

It is not as widely known as that other tradition of Japanese puppetry, bunraku, but Hong Kong has the opportunity to see a rare otome bunraku artist.

The Asian Cultural Council invited Manami Kimura to be its headline performer at its annual Fellowship Awards reception tonight at the Academy of Performing Arts. From Awaji Island, southwest of Kobe, which has a long association with puppetry, Kimura has been practising the traditional art form, performed only by women, since an early age.

Otome is different from the usual bunraku style in that it is done by a single artist. Typical bunraku needs three men to operate a single puppet. In addition, the otome school is less narrative-driven and more based on dance movements.

Kimura is appearing at this evening's event because the council gave her a fellowship in 2004 to work and collaborate with puppeteers and marionette artists overseas. Luckily for the rest of the city not invited to the private event, she has also agreed to offer a public demonstration organised by the PIP cultural group tomorrow at the Arts Centre's Studio 1 from 7pm to 8.30pm. The capacity though is limited to about 30 people. If you have an interest in traditional Japanese culture, this should be a must see. Call 2421 6176.