ABSTRACT
This chapter provides an examination of the choices which the theatre has been forced to make, in order to survive. It looks at the role of the puppet theatre on the island of Awaji in an attempt to gauge the extent to which it plays a meaningful role for the islanders, or whether is has become merely a contrived recreation of an extinct historical tradition. Awaji Ningyo originally developed as part of a religious ritual, conducted by itinerant puppeteers, who performed at annual festivals throughout the year, and especially at new year. In the past Awaji Ningyo was an outdoor tradition, performed by travelling amateurs for a largely local community. In addition, the Awaji Theatre has had admirable success at reaching an international audience. The Awaji performers, on the other hand, fel that although internationally recognized, the Bunraku performers had not suffered for their art in the way that the Awaji troupe had had to.
