Poppin, a furry creature vaguely resembling a sheep, is wrapping up her NHK E segment about Prince Shotoku when she starts barking like a dog.
She serves as a history expert on ¡°The Wakey Show,¡± which will air at 7 a.m. every morning on the national broadcaster¡¯s Educational TV channel starting March 31. Her lesson focuses on the royal¡¯s achievements in revolutionizing government during the Asuka Period (552-645), and she closes with the legend that Shotoku and his dog, Yukimaru, would talk to one another. She starts woofing at a higher pitch as fellow puppet Mosso and body puppet Wakey turn toward her.
¡°Cut!¡± says an assistant as a cluster of staff approach the van where the scene is taking place. Crew members wearing white gloves approach the puppets to brush up their faces. One asks Satomi Sugiyama, Poppin¡¯s puppeteer, if they can do a retake with a different variety of bark sounds. She agrees and everyone gets into position for another take.
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