Imai Yone became the first person to experiment with kamishibai as a tool for educating children sometime around 1931. After noticing a sharp decrease in attendance at her Sunday school lessons, Yone followed the local children to a performance and immediately recognized the value such an art form could provide to her proselytizing efforts. She soon began the first iteration of what is now known as Fukuin Kamishibai, or Gospel Kamishibai. When she was later asked about her intentions behind creating a biblical theater performance, Imai offered the following simple explanation:
