Melbourne-based Japanese Kamishibai storyteller to amuse children in Cowra NSW

Melbourne-based Japanese Kamishibai storyteller, Tetsuta Watanabe, will hold a storytelling sessions at an inaugural Koyo Festival in Cowra, NSW Source: Anthony Cheung

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Kamishibai (紙芝居) is a form of Japanese storytelling, using a set of illustrated story boards.

Tetsuta Watanabe, a Melbourne-based Japanese writer and translator, has been operating a small Japanese library for children

Tetsuta Watanabe, a Melbourne-based Japanese author and translator, has been operating a small Japanese library for children. Source: Tetsuta Watanabe

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Mr. Tetsuta Watanabe, a Melbourne-based author and translator of children's books, started a small library of Japanese books for children 20 years ago. He has been active as a storyteller since and started performing Kamishibai about three years ago.

Kamishibai is a Japanese form of storytelling but it has gained popularity here in Australia. There is a Facebook group on Kamishibai, the Australian Kamishibai Association, with more than 100 members from diverse backgrounds.

In the audio, Mr Watanabe talks about his upcoming sessions at the inaugural Koyo (autumn leaves) Festival in Cowra NSW, and explains the difference between story time for children and Kamishibai.