Here some images of the Isshiza puppets, their construction, and some characters.

You have seen already the specific Japanese marionette cross, here a body:

Josiane Keller “Isshiza marionette body” (2015)

The heads are carved out of 桐 (paulownia wood) which is very light and easy to carve, and they are covered with 胡粉 “Gofun”, a paste made from powdered sea shells which is used in traditional puppet or doll making, a somewhat better description is here:

http://www.aisf.or.jp/~jaanus/deta/g/gofun.htm

In the photo of the book you see a traditional ancient puppet performance at a temple or shrine and on the ironing board resting is one of them nay Antonin Artaud marionettes the compagnie uses:

Josiane Keller “Isshiza marionette construction and Artaud puppet” (2015)

Here are four of the traditional puppets in action:

Josiane Keller “four traditional Isshiza marionettes” (2015)

for instance here a nobleman and his princess, a gorgeous couple (“Brangelina, Go Home!”):

Josiane Keller “Isshiza marionettes – a nobleman and his princess” (2015)

As of the princess, she is so gorgeous that there can never be enough pictures of her (if you ask me), so for that reason here are some more:

Josiane Keller “Isshiza marionette princess with veil” (2015)

* So much for now, but there is even more, so please check back in later!