How to Read Kamishibai

Kamishibai stories are read from the back of illustrated cards. However, you can also tell
the story from memory or even improvise a little to add to the story.
Move the front card to the back after you finish one part of the story. The text now
showing will be the story for the card that is at the front.
The text for the title image (card 1) goes on the back of the last card, so when showing
the title image to the audience, you can read the corresponding text without turning
the card around.
When you finish the story for card 1, move it to the back of the pack. The story for card
2 which is on the back of card 1 will now be at the back for you to read. Once you havetold that part of the story, you move this card to the back and again the story for thecard 3 will now be at the back for you. You continue this for each part of the story until
the end.
Remember, the text on the back of a card does not correspond to the illustration on
its front!

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Taa-chanʼs Oshogatsu
Story by Kazuko Hohki
Illustrations by Aya Burbanks

story text for card 2Itʼs Omisoka today, New Yearʼs Eve. Taa-chanʼs mummy has been very busy since early morning. As well as cooking
special dishes called osechi ryori for tomorrow, sheʼs also been vacuuming and tidying their home from top to bottom
to welcome the God of New Year. Taa-chanʼs elder brother Hiroki was kicked out of bed early to clean their roomand Daddy is tidying up his bookshelves. However, Daddy seems to be spending more time reading than organising;he closes the books very quickly whenever Mummy is nearby.
Taa-chan loves to help Mummy because she gets to taste the osechi ryori. Her favourite is kinton, mashed sweet potato
cooked in sweet syrup. But today Taa-chan doesnʼt feel like it. She is too worried about her hamster, Ham.

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Taa-chanʼs Oshogatsu
Story by Kazuko Hohki
Illustrations by Aya Burbanks

story text for card 3

He hasnʼt been moving much for the last couple of days, and he hasnʼt been eating anything either. Today Ham has barely
moved at all. When Taa-chan told Hiroki, he came to have a look and said, “Hmmm. They told us hamsters only live fora couple of years, maybe heʼs dying!”
This made Taa-chan cry. Mummy told Hiroki off for being so insensitive, so he apologised and buried himself in acomic book. Mummy told Taa-chan to let Ham rest and help her taste the kinton, which was almost ready. It was delicious,
but Taa-chan didnʼt cheer up. She wasnʼt her usual lively self after dinner either; they always had noodles called toshikoshisoba on New Yearʼs Eve. Eating them was a tradition to say farewell to the past year before flowing into the next one.
Hiroki said, “Donʼt be so sad, maybe weʼll get a tarantula next time. They live for 20 years!” This almost made Taa-chan
cry again, but Daddy and Mummy both scolded him, so she felt slightly better.

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Taa-chanʼs Oshogatsu
Story by Kazuko Hohki
Illustrations by Aya Burbanks

story text for card 4

After eating, Mummy carried on preparing for New Yearʼs Day. Daddy did the washing up and then settled down in frontof the TV. Taa-chan had a bath and changed into her pyjamas, but didnʼt go to bed. She wanted to stay up till midnightto hear the temple bells ringing all over Japan to mark the arrival of the New Year. It was called Joya No Kane andthe bells rang 108 times! She went to check on Ham in his cage one last time and then sat down to watch TV. She wasdetermined to stay up till Joya No Kane. Yes, she was going to make it...
She woke up in her bunk bed. Bright sunlight was coming through the gap in the curtains. Hiroki was still asleep inthe top bunk. She got up and went to the kitchen. Mummy was there. As soon as she saw Taa-chan, she wished her aHappy New Year and said, “The ozoni soup will be ready soon. Then weʼll wake up your brother.”3

Taa-chanʼs Oshogatsu
Story by Kazuko Hohki
Illustrations by Aya Burbanks

story text for card 5

Then Mummy came and bent down in front of her and with a rather serious face she said, “Taa-chan, I have sad news.”
Taa-chanʼs heart sank. Mummy explained that when she went to check on Ham this morning, he wasnʼt breathing anymore:
he was dead. She produced an ice cream box filled with white tissues. Then Taa-chan noticed Hamʼs pink nose and closed
eyes, his white body was half buried in the tissue. She started to cry. Mummy switched the cooker off and lifted her up.
“Itʼs ok to feel sad, but Ham had a very happy life being looked after by you. To us he was only two years old, but thatʼs very
old for a hamster.” Taa-chan couldnʼt stop crying. Mummy carried her to the sofa in the living room and cuddled her fora while. When Taa-chan was a bit calmer, Mummy asked, “Do you know why youʼre called Takako?” Taa-chan didnʼt know.
She wondered why Mummy was talking about her name at a time like this.

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Taa-chanʼs Oshogatsu
Story by Kazuko Hohki
Illustrations by Aya Burbanks

story text for card 6

Mummy explained that the name came from her own grandma: Taa-chanʼs great grandma. She pointed at a small photoof an old lady who looked like she was dancing. Taa-chan had often wondered who she was and what she was doing.
Mummy said, “She loved making me laugh by showing me her funny dance, like in the picture. We were very close.
But she became very ill when I was pregnant with you and I couldnʼt go to see her much because you were so heavy.”
Then Mummy made a huge belly with her hands and started breathing heavily and groaning. Her face was so funny it madeTaa-chan laugh a bit.
Mummy continued, “Then one morning, my mum phoned to tell me my grandma had died.” Mummy paused and looked
like she was remembering that moment and feeling very sad. “But then you started to come! Daddy had to take me tothe hospital straight away and in just a few hours you were born. Thatʼs you, my precious Taa-chan!”. Mummy pressed
her face up against Taa-chanʼs and Taa-chan felt Mummyʼs skin, all warm and soft.

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Taa-chanʼs Oshogatsu
Story by Kazuko Hohki
Illustrations by Aya Burbanks

story text for card 7

Then Mummy said she thought Taa-chan must be her grandmaʼs umare kawari. Taa-chan didnʼt know what that meant.
Mummy explained it was like reincarnation: after someone dies their spirit returns in somebody else and is re-born.
The new person is called umare kawari.
Taa-chan was still a bit puzzled. She looked again at the photo of the old lady. Did that mean her great grandma was inside
her? Mummy said, “Donʼt worry. It just means my grandma is always with us, protecting you and our family. Thatʼs whywe gave you her name. Thatʼs also why youʼre so good at dancing!”
She said Hamʼs spirit might be looking for something to be reincarnated into now. They both wondered what hewould become... Suddenly, Daddy, who was still in his pyjamas, came in and said, “Do you smell something burning?”
Mummy jumped up and ran to the kitchen ‒ she had left mochi in the toaster!

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Taa-chanʼs Oshogatsu
Story by Kazuko Hohki
Illustrations by Aya Burbanks

story text for card 8

The New Year breakfast was fantastic. There was ozoni soup with mochi rice cakes in it (mind you, some were a bit burnt!)
and all the osechi ryori which had special meanings. Taa-chan remembered them all: the grilled prawns with their bent
bodies represented a long life; the sweet stew of shining black beans was for getting rid of evil spirits; the salad madeof grated carrot and daikon radish in sweet vinegar was red and white because they were celebration colours; the dishof lots of small fish cooked in sticky juice symbolised hope for a great harvest; the yellow herring roe represented awish for many children; and of course Taa-chanʼs favourite, kinton, which was a golden colour, was a wish for wealth,great success, and happiness.
After breakfast they decided to visit their local shrine. Taa-chan knew lots of other families would be there too, doing
hatsumode, the first visit of the year to a temple or shrine.

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Taa-chanʼs Oshogatsu
Story by Kazuko Hohki
Illustrations by Aya Burbanks

story text for card 9

The shrine was very busy and they had to join a long queue to pray at the main hall. Lots of women were dressed in colourfulkimonos. Taa-chan still felt a bit sad, but the colour, sounds and joyful atmosphere started to lift her spirits.
As they neared the front, they discussed what they should wish for this year. Mummy and Daddy both said the healthand happiness of the whole family, but Hiroki said that was very boring. He declared he was going to ask for a reallybig otoshidama ‒ the money that children receive as a new year present. But Mummy said, “Youʼre going to be 12 this year
Hiroki, thatʼs too old for otoshidama. Didnʼt you know you wonʼt get anything this year?”“What?” Hiroki shouted. He looked very distressed.
Then it was their turn, so they all prayed and threw coins as an offering into the big wooden box. Hiroki looked very serious
when praying. Taa-chan prayed for her hamsterʼs spirit to be happy and to find a great umare kawari.

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Taa-chanʼs Oshogatsu
Story by Kazuko Hohki
Illustrations by Aya Burbanks

story text for card 10

After praying, Mummy suggested they buy an omikuji fortune telling strip from the shrine. Daddy went first and unfolded
the small piece of white paper. It predicted ʻa little luckʼ. He said it sounded just right for his life and laughed heartily.
Mummyʼs said ʻsome luckʼ and they debated whether that was better or worse than Daddyʼs, but couldnʼt decide.
Hiroki opened his omikuji very seriously - it said medium happiness. He instantly became more cheerful and said loudly,”Itʼs lucky! I must be getting the otoshidama I prayed for. Mummy you must have been wrong.” Mummy laughed and said,“Ooh, I can feel the shrine God is bending the rules, and also my arm...” as she pretended somebody was forcing her arm
into her bag. She produced a small envelope and gave it to Hiroki. He hopped about with excitement.

9Taa-chanʼs Oshogatsu
Story by Kazuko Hohki
Illustrations by Aya Burbanks

story text for card 11

Taa-chan was a bit apprehensive about opening her fortune. Mummy said not to worry if it was a bad one; in that casethey could tie it onto one of the trees nearby, which were full of omikuji, and it would change to a good one. Taa-chan
opened it. It said ʻgreatest luckʼ which was the best fortune of all. Mummy was excited - much more than Taa-chan was.
“Woah, Taa-chan, I wonder what this means...” Then her phone rang, “Itʼs your Uncle Masaki!” she said, “I must get this.”
She went to a quiet corner and answered her phone. Taa-chan could see Mummy smiling and looking excited during
the call. After a while, she waved her hand to invite over the rest of the family. “Your Aunt Sanae just had a baby boy!”
Mummy said excitedly, “Hiroki and Taa-chan, you have a new little cousin. Come and have a look!”

10Taa-chanʼs Oshogatsu
Story by Kazuko Hohki
Illustrations by Aya Burbanks

story text for card 12

Mummy lowered her phone and Daddy, Hiroki and Taa-chan all gathered around to peer at the screen. Taa-chan
had to stretch, but she wanted to join in. First they saw Uncle Masakiʼs beaming face on the screen. Then the camera
moved to a baby in a cot. Mummy said with a sigh of appreciation,“What a beautiful baby!”
Taa-chan took the phone from Mummy and looked at it more carefully. She didnʼt think the baby looked particularly
beautiful, with his scrunched-up face. In fact, she though he looked more like a gigantic dried plum, with reddish skinand wrinkles. He was all wrapped up in white. The camera zoomed in to the baby. His eyes were tightly closed but his
mouth moved slightly as if he was munching something. Taa-chan stared at him hard. He reminded her of something...
Daddy congratulated her aunt and uncle. Taa-chan couldnʼt look away from the baby. Yes, he must be...but was itpossible? Taa-chan thought she could almost see whiskers growing on his face...

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Taa-chanʼs Oshogatsu
Story by Kazuko Hohki
Illustrations by Aya Burbanks

story text for card 12

On the way back, Taa-chan was very quiet and deep in thought as she walked beside Mummy. After a while she asked,
very seriously, “Mummy, do you think a hamster can get reincarnated as a baby?”
Mummy looked surprised and almost burst out laughing, but didnʼt. She just said she was sure that was possible.
Then she smiled and pointed up at the sky, “Look, Taa-chan!”Taa-chan looked up and saw colourful kites flying in the distance. As they moved and fluttered in the wind, Taa-chanthought they looked like they were dancing to celebrate Oshogatsu. Happy New Year!

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Taa-chanʼs Oshogatsu
Story by Kazuko Hohki
Illustrations by Aya Burbanks

story text for card 1

About the festival
New Year, or Oshogatsu, is the most important holiday of the year in Japan. In the run-up to New Yearʼs Day, people
spend time cleaning their homes, putting up decorations, and writing cards to friends and family. New year cards arecalled nengajo and are actually postcards. They feature a New Year greeting and short message, as well as seasonaldesigns and sometimes a family picture on the front, with the back reserved for the recipientʼs address only.
On New Yearʼs Day, people spend time with family and eat traditional dishes called osechi ryori which each have a special
meaning. Many people will also visit a shrine or temple: the first visit of the year is called hatsumode.

The Japanese words in this story are:

Joya no kane: Tradition in which bells at Buddhist temples are rung

Oshogatsu: New Yearʼs Day

108 times at midnight on New Yearʼs Eve to drive away negativity
Ozoni: A soup eaten along with osechi ryori on New Yearʼs Day, theOmisoka: New Yearʼs Eve

recipe varies according to region and household

Chan: a suﬃx added to names as a term of endearment or familiarity. ItMochi: Rice cakes made from pounding rice until it is soft and chewy

is often used for children, especially girls. In the story, Takako is known

and can be moulded into shapeas ʻTaa-chanʼ

Otoshidama: Envelopes containing money which are gifted to children

Toshikoshi soba: Noodles traditionally eaten on New Yearʼs Eveon New Yearʼs Day

Osechi ryori: Traditional dishes eaten during the New Year holidays

Omikuji: A small paper fortune, sold at shrines and temples

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