Kamishibai are part of a long Asian picture-storytelling tradition, and though uniquely Japanese, are immediately loved by any child lucky enough to hear them.
Children also enjoy hearing about the history of kamishibai.
Kamishibai evolved from a form of itinerant street storytelling art which was popular throughout Japan into the 1950s. He would enter a village or a neighborhood loudly clapping together two wooden blocks. This was the signal for the young children to come from their homes to gather around him for a kamishibai performance. Traditionally the kamishibai man placed the story cards inside a small stage. He stood beside it, telling and even acting out the story line.