Bunraku
Bunraku(文楽) is a Japanese traditional puppet show over three hundred years old. It is said that Uemura Bunrakuken(植村文楽軒) reproduced Ningyō-Jōruri (人形浄瑠璃); a Japanese puppet show in Osaka in 19th century. Then, it became known as "Bunraku". Kabuki was very popular in the 18th century and people went to see Kabuki instead of Japanese puppet show. Bunraku stories were based on the ordinary lives of Osaka citizens, as a form of entertainment for them. It is performed by the union between Tayū(太夫); a soloist and a story teller, Shamisen players and Ningyō-tsukai(人形遣い); puppet players. It describes humanity vividly by " Talking about emotion, emotional music and showing emotion through puppetry. " |
The language used is "Osaka Japanese " a different dialect to Edo. Almost of these stories are performed in the Jōruri style.
Bunraku uses many ideas which are not present in human plays. There are many characteristic puppet movements. For example, how to look back is a unique move, Ushiro-buri. Three Puppeteers move the character in a special moment from turning away to face back at the audience. This unique move surprised a New York stage director. It is a traditional style used by the puppeteers. In Japan, it has been thought that puppets take on the spirits of men and come alive on the stage. This is an original Japanese entertainment form. |