Real Name: Manami Kimura (Maiden name: Sakamoto)
Manami Sakamoto was born in Awaji, Hyogo Prefecture.
Her birth house was totally destroyed by the enormous earthquake Hyogo- Awaji Daishinsai on January 17, 1995.
She was a member of the puppet theater “Clarte” for about 9 years until April, 1996.
After leaving the theater, she started to perform Otome-Bunraku which she had been learning long.
She learned making of Bunraku puppets (Joururi puppets) from late Master Mr. Yuragame III and operating Bunraku puppets from Master Ms. Mitsuko Yoshida.
At present she refines her skill under Master Ms. Masako Kiritake.
Besides, she learned Japanese Dance under late Master Mr. Kanjiro Fujima.
She is now a freelancer and actively performs Otome-bunraku with her own-made puppets as well as collaboration performances with various traditional music.
[History of her performance]
1988
1996
1997
1999
2000
2001
2003
2004
2005
2006
2008
2010
2011
Joined the puppet theater “Clarte”and
its circuit performance at schools and family theaters all over Japan.
Became a freelancer and started her career as an Otome-Bunraku puppeteer.
Performed at Unima in Hungary.
Performed in collaboration with Japanese traditional drums in Nara and
at the Renaissance Festival of Japanese sake wineries in Nishinomiya.
Performed in collaboration with Tsugaru Shamisen (Japanese traditional
instrument with 3 strings) in Frankfurt and Duesseldorf, Germany.
Performed “Sagimusume” with modern back music of violin, contrabassoon
and Shakuhachi (Japanese traditional wind instrument) in Switzerland.
Joint performance with Master Kodanshi (Japanese traditional story teller)
Ichiryusai Teishin in his performance of “Mugensho II”at the performance
category of Japan Art Festival annually promoted the government.
Performed in collaboration with Japanese traditional drums and flute.
Performed with modern music in Germany and Switzerland.
Performed with Japanese traditional flute for the religious ceremony
at the main hall of Asama Shrine in Shimonoseki.
Authorized sirname ‘Kiritake’ was given by Master Masako Kiritake
in January, and named Kiritake Masaya thereafter.
Awarded “Fellowship of Asian Cultural Council”.
Performed in Indonesia (Jakarta, Jokjakarta, Bali) and the United States of
America (N.Y., Atlanta, San Francisco, Los Angels, Portland, Seattle)
Highly appreciated for her performance at Closing Jamaica Avenue
“1000 Years Waiting” in N.Y.
Performed at Asian Cultural Council Hong Kong.
Performed at the 1,250 years anniversary Buddhism ceremony
of Hokke Temple, Nara in May.
Performed at INCANTI Festival in Torino, Italy in October.
Performed at IZMIR Puppet Festival in Turk in March.