Japanese Bunraku Puppet Theatre: Traditional Puppetry
Bunraku puppetry uses traditional Japanese puppets, traditional Japanese shimasen music and chanted narration to create performances which can make an audience laugh or cry.
Japanese Bunraku puppet theatre is puppetry which started in Japan in the early 1600s. Japanese Bunraku is recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The Bunraku puppet dramas follow a serious theme which may be focused on a historic event or everyday situation. A Bunraku puppet performance may be as long as a day but usually lasts three or four hours.
Bunraku Puppet at the Bunraku National Theatre in Osaka, Japan-Image via Wikipedia
Japanese Bunraku is also known as Ningyo-Joruri and was often called Ningyo-Joruri in the olden days, especially in the middle of the 18th century, when Japanese Bunraku was more popular among the Japanese people than Kabuki theatre. However now, Ningyo-Joruri goes by the more modern name of Japanese Bunraku, named after the popular Bunraku-za theatre established in Osaka, Japan in the 18th century.
A Busker Playing a Shamisen-Image via Wikipedia
The Shamisen is accompanied by chanting and is an important feature of Bunraku theatre.
Japanese Bunraku puppeteers don’t conceal themselves from the audience during the performance. Japanese Bunraku puppeteers usually work together in groups of three to coordinate the movements of one Bunraku puppet. This is because the Bunraku puppets are heavy. Bunraku puppets are sometimes as tall as 150 cm and weigh as much as ten kilograms.
Bunraku Puppet-Image via Wikipedia
Bunraku Puppeteers-Three Working as One
Bunraku puppeteers all have different specialties, according to their years of training. One puppeteer manipulates the puppet’s feet and legs; another puppeteer is responsible for stage props and the movements of the puppet’s left hand. The third puppeteer is responsible for the movements of the puppet’s right hand and the puppet’s head.
Bunraku Puppet-Image via Wikipedia
Bunraku puppeteers train for more than 20 years before being eligible to become a head puppeteer. The head puppeteer is known as the Omo-zukai. The left-hand puppeteer is known as the Hidari-Zukai. The puppeteer who is responsible for the puppet’s foot movements is known as the Ashi-zukai.
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Liked it
I wish I could see a puppet show like this or at least take my 5 year old nephew.
so many nice stuff in Japan, Sharifa. You really make me feel like migrating to Japan, haha.
There was a puppet theater here in Pittsburgh years ago. Bunraku is definitely a cultural art form.
Have always loved cute Japanese puppets. Thanks Sharifa
Nice Write. I am impressed from this
Thank you for sharing more of the history and culture of Japan. Very interesting and informative article. Good job.
I wonder if this art influenced Jim Henson of muppet fame?
I can see this specialized talent being used on the larger muppets.
But I am sure that this is as dramatic as other Japanese theatrical art forms, and not a childrens’ passtime.
Great choice of supporting pictures.
Very cool stuff as always, Sharifa.
great share
Hi Pattian,
Bunraku has toured other countries in the past.
Lol.
Lovely things to enjoy everywhere Star 
I like puppet theatre Guy.
You’re welcome Raj
You know as soon as I started reading your comment the Muppets theme started playing in my mind Lew. You are right. Bunraku is targeted towards adults.
Thanks Albert, Strategy and Adrn.
I would love to see these puppet shows.
Nice write dear ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !
Great article Sharifa!
This is the first time I heard about bunraku, thanks, Sharifa.
Interesting topic. I hope I can watch a Bunraku puppet performance in the future. Thanks for sharing.
20 years is a long time to master the art. I still remember the puppet scene In the Sound of Music. They make it look like it requires minimum skill.lol. Thanks for sharing this fascinating artform Sharifa.
Very interesting. Thanks for sharing.
An interesting one cheers
It sounds like a great show. It sounds like something that would be great for people of all ages. There has never been a puppet show like that here in New Jersey.
cool
good post
Lovely article! I am a little freaked out by puppets, I hated the punch and Judy ones we had in this Country when I was young! But I can appreciate how much work goes into the performance.
Nice to see you again, hope all is going great with your family. x and yes my pup has grown, she was 2 in August.
This must be of a high class, the costumes and the appearance says it so.Very cute also.Got to learn a lot about the other world from this and good to have a Japanese friend.
Thanks for all your kind comments my friends.
@ CA
Bunraku is for people of all ages but I think the adults enjoy it most .
@Sharif
It does seem so easy when a master does it.
@ Lisa
She’s looking happy as always, in the pictures.
@Wonder
Thank you my friend.
