Hachioji Kuruma Ningyo is a rare Japanese form of puppet theatre (ningyō jōruri) developed by the Nishikawa lineage in the late Edo period. A single puppeteer sits on a small cart (rokuro-guruma) and performs a full character solo, controlling remarkably detailed movements—including facial expression elements—while giving the puppet an unusually vivid physicality. A defining feature (often described as almost unique worldwide) is that the puppet can place its feet directly on the stage, creating a distinctive sense of presence and motion.
Today, the tradition is carried forward by Nishikawa Koryu-za (西川古柳座) in Hachioji (Tokyo), presenting regular public performances at their own theatre while also touring and sharing the art form through modern outreach, including social media and YouTube.
In 2022, Hachioji Kuruma Ningyo was designated a nationally important intangible folk cultural property (Japan).
Alongside the classical repertoire, the troupe also explores contemporary, cross-cultural projects such as the international co-production “AKUTAGAWA.”
Nationally Designated Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property, Hachioji Kuruma Ningyo Nishikawa Koryu-za, Puppeteer Nishikawa Ryuji VI.
At the age of 20, he apprenticed under his father, the head of the Nishikawa family, and currently supports the troupe as the leading young member.
In April 2019 (Age 22), he began training at the Awaji Ningyo Za to learn the fundamentals of puppetry: three-person puppetry. He returned to his hometown in June 2020. Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, he has been posting his own "short movies" on social media such as YouTube as a means of disseminating information without relying on the stage.
He also travels to various prefectures across Japan, giving school performances and workshops at kindergartens, elementary schools, junior high schools, high schools, and universities.
In addition, Nishikawa Ryuji is currently spearheading a monthly "Regular Performances" at the Nishikawa Koryuza Theater, based on the concept of "casually accessible traditional performing arts."
He has collaborated with a wide range of genres, including flamenco, theater readings, ballet, orchestras, Japanese instruments such as koto, shinobue, hayashi musicians, and Tsugaru shamisen, as well as flute players.
He has been invited to perform at local puppet festivals in the Czech Republic in June and the United States in July 2022.
He has also had extensive experience performing overseas, including in a co-production with an American puppet theater company.
This will be Ryuji's first time performing in Germany.
After watching Kuruma Ningyo in an elementary school moral education class, Nishikawa participated in the summer vacation children's class held by Hachioji Kuruma Ningyo.
He then joined the Nishikawa Koryuza troupe at the age of 12.
He made his stage debut at the age of 14 and continued to work while studying.
In March 2025, he hosted, stage-directed, and performed a successful paid performance at the Souto-Terrace theater in Hachioji.
He currently focuses on puppetry and also works behind the scenes as a stage manager and performer.
In December 2026, he was given the title of Nishikawa Ryuta. He is one of the promising young puppeteers supporting the troupe.
This is his first trip to Germany and abroad.