Welcome to the world of KAMISHIBAI — Japanese Paper Theatre.
Discover our Kamishibai in English.
What is kamishibai?
From Japanese: kami=paper, shibai=art
Kamishibai is a traditional Japanese storytelling art. Its basic element is a wooden box called butai, taking the form of a fold-out theatre. Inside, there are cards with illustrations, each card representing a sequential part of the story. The storyteller unfolds the illustrations, continuing to narrate the tale. This storytelling method is highly engaging, as confirmed during numerous workshops. Rest assured, every time children look at our illustrations as if enchanted. The possibilities offered by the butai box are limitless.
In the store below, you’ll find our kamishibai tales (illustrated cards with accompanying text) in A3 format (297 x 420 mm), fitting our handmade wooden butai boxes. Choose a story and see how quickly it captivates children. All stories and illustrations are our own creations, and we construct the boxes by hand. The tales are written in English; Polish versions can be found here.
We can ship our products anywhere in the world. Fill out the order form, and we’ll calculate the delivery cost to your country. You can then pay for the order via bank transfer, and we’ll send you the package with the order.
IN SOPHIE’S GARDEN
Beyond the horizon the sun wakes up.
‘It’s time to show up in the sky,’ the sun thinks. ‘I’m going to be very hot and very yellow today. Yellow must be the most important colour in the world! There is no life without the yellow sun!’ the sun says.
It’s going to be a lovely day.
Join us for a walk in Sophie’s garden. What will you see there? Definitely a yellow sun, blue galoshes, red roses. But that’s not all!
During the tour, we’ll consider what’s greener: a frog or grass? What gives us sunshine, and what rain, as well as what will result from the combination of all these encountered garden colors? Can you feel the beautiful illustrations and the enchanting garden flora invite you for a stroll?
Let’s take a look around and have fun!
HOW A LITTLE CATERPILLAR BECAME A BUTTERFLY
From this tale, you will learn, among other things, why birds build nests. You will discover that it’s worth being helpful, and not just because a reward awaits you in the end.
We will tell you a fable about a caterpillar who helped the great spirit Barabaj paint the world during its creation. Our heroine encounters other animals on her journey. But whom can she trust? Who wants to take advantage of her, and who wishes to help?
In this colorful journey, we will traverse the world of the Aborigines, and the illustrations are styled after the traditional art of Australia’s indigenous people.
THE HEAVENLY GARDEN
One of the legends of the Land of the Blooming Cherry tells the story of Prince Haitamagusuku and his wife Tamanonimo. The princess falls ill with a mysterious disease and dies. Unable to accept this, the prince decides to journey to the Garden of the Heavens to retrieve his beloved’s soul.
However, this is just the beginning of his difficulties. Upon arrival, he faces a severe test of character. Will he succeed and regain his wife? Will the ruler of the Heavens deceive our brave hero?
Beautiful illustrations, inspired by the art of Japan, will bring us closer to a distant world where an incredible story of love, hope, and perseverance unfolds.
A TALE OF PRINCE HUSSEIN AND A FLYING CARPET
An Arabic fairy tale taken from One Thousand and One Nights. It’s the story of three brothers who embark on a long journey in search of the most precious gift for their father.
Each of them, during their solitary quest, finds a gift that is meant to persuade the Sultan to give him the kingdom and the hand of a beautiful princess. However, unexpected events force the brothers to join forces and collectively utilize the invaluable gifts they have acquired for the Sultan.
Only together will they be able to prevent a great tragedy.
A TALE OF THREE KNOTS AND THE QUEEN OF THE SEA
During a prolonged winter in one of the Estonian fishing villages, hunger prevailed. The autumn catches were insufficient, and the pantries began to empty, but it was still too early to venture out to sea. Kaarel, rumored to be a friend of the Sea Mistress, came to the fishermen’s aid.
The old man handed the fishermen a scarf with three knots and instructed them to untie the first knot after raising the sails, the second knot after casting the nets, and under no circumstances to touch the third knot. Grateful, the fishermen set out to fish.
Did they catch anything? And did they keep their promise? Why did they anger the Sea Mistress? This Estonian tale will show us the secrets
MAHAMERU AND THE GIANT FROM THE ISLAND OF THE VOLCANOES
Djewi Djurranga, the daughter of the god Mahameru, was extraordinary. Not only did she live inside a volcano, but she was also constructed from fire.
Her flickering skin, dress made of sparks, flames, and embers, and eyes like two glowing coals were spectacular, though inaccessible to the world as she couldn’t leave the volcano. When the girl, against her father’s prohibitions, peeked over the crater, she encountered Rakasas, a giant with a long black beard, gleaming gold-and-black eyes, and magnificent, twisted fangs. Though huge and strong, he was actually kind and gentle, capturing Djewi’s heart. However, Rakasas was a servant of Bromo – the eternal enemy of Mahameru. Did they manage to fight for their own happiness?
By learning the Indonesian tale, we’ll discover why roosters crow at the sound of cracking rice, and why the volcano is full of ominous thunder and roars. And also why leaves still whisper about Rakasasa to this day.
We also recommend an addition to the story in the form of cardboard puppets for DIY crafting. You can find them here.
THE LITTLE SUBTER
Meet the Little Subter, a mole living deep uderground. The Little Subter felt very lonely; from afar, he could hear the hustle and laughter of animals from the backyard, but every time he tried to come to the surface, his eyes hurt, unfamiliar sounds filled his ears, and the wind blocked his snout.
So, he returned to his closed, underground world, feeling like something was passing him by. He could only be on the surface at night, but at night, all the animals slept, and no one wanted to climb the hills or run slaloms with him. One day, Yuckie appeared in the area. Yuckie was ugly, and no one wanted to be friends with him. He sat on the Little Subter’s mound and cried. That’s how the Little Subter met Yuckie, and a beautiful friendship began, infecting neighboring animals with happiness. The Little Subter’s story is a tale of emotions, longing, rejection, and loneliness. But it’s also about tolerance, mutual acceptance, and finding beauty in what is different. It’s a reflective and timeless story. Not just for children.
THE MATILDA EFFECT
The story titled „The Matilda Effect” is dedicated to women who have changed the world of science. Yet their work has not been properly recognized, and sometimes they have even been attempted to be erased from history.
Female scientists, researchers, scholars from different countries and different epochs. They deserve for the world to finally hear about them and their discoveries.
This story will greatly enrich history lessons, awaken curiosity in children, and present the profiles of real heroines. Additional cards with portraits and biographies of 9 Polish female scientists are included in the story.
KUNKUSH
Here is the story of a cat who must flee from war. He loses his favorite pillow, his own bowl, and worst of all, loses his family during the journey. All of this is recounted by Kunkush himself, so we learn about the topic of refugees from the perspective of a cat who doesn’t understand what’s happening around him and tries to adapt to the new situation.
And the situation, it must be admitted, is completely illogical. The accessible nature of kamishibai further encourages reading with kids and facing the topic of war and refugees together.
ORDERING FORM
Follow us on Facebook!