Kamis Around Us

“Kamis Around Us”, personified as colorful, silk, giant puppets, brings a mythical experience to Cleveland sidewalks. The Kami, Shinto spirits, playful and mischievous, share our world and wait in anticipation to be welcomed in. This is your once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to have a conversation with a Kami in Cleveland.

“Kami Around Us” is a street performance with no specific beginning or end. It is simply the story of a Kami and its person out for a stroll to enjoy downtown Cleveland. Kami are Shinto spirits/deities, which were an integral part of daily life in Japan from 800 to 1900 CE.

My Kami take their form as colorful, 9’ tall, silk puppets. For each performance the Kami and I will stroll the sidewalks of the Borderlight footprint. I will introduce spectators to my Kami and visa versa. In the Shinto faith the sacred Kami is also a trickster. Be ready to suspend belief and submerse yourself in the way of the Kami.