Time to ask questions!!

So what is Bunraku?

Bunraku is a traditional performing art consisting of a narrator reading a Gidayu Joruri libretto to the accompaniment of a Shamisen while puppets supported by three puppeteers each act out the story. The concentration and emotions of the narrator is interesting in that he puts heart and soul into the performance, and makes it rather exciting to watch.

So what does the narrator do?

Ahem..so what does he do apart from narrating? :) In Bunraku, unlike Kabuki, the art is not inherited by sons but rather succeeded by true artists of great talent, regardless of whatever background. Therefore, the amount of training is very strainous. I doubt there are many people who are involved in 30 years of perfecting this art, but I realy admire the past craftsmen and puppeteers who do.

The narrator has a tough job. He not only descrives the scene of the action but must act out ALL the characters on stage. He has text in front so he does not have to memorise but the responsibility of bringing the puppets to life rests heavily upon his shoulders. Oh yes, the text is spoken in Osaka accent.

Wait..what's a shamisen and it's function in Bunraku?

Good question..A shamisen is like a Japanese guitar/banjo, with a plectrum to pluck on the strings. It has three strings. The ones used in Bunraku is futo-zao (thick neck), chu-zao used in Tokiwazu and Jiuta and the last one is hosozau for Naguta and Kouta. Apart from accompanying the sweaty and emotional narrator, the shamisen accompanist plays rather virtuosic lines as well. For example in Honcho Nijushiko, Ehon Taiko Ki, Shimpan Uta-zai-mon.The shamisen accompanist has to evoke much character into the puppets (in this case, all princesses). Sometimes he uses  a teacup or a candle stick for special effects!

What about the puppeteers?

There are three handlers--chief handler, the left handler and the leg handler (bet you were thinking right). It takes ten years to master supporting the legs, ten more for the left handler, and ten more to be the chief handler. Most of them wear black. Seldom do they wear colourful clothes unless it is for celebratory events. In Kanjincho, the puppeteers do not wear masks.

Can the puppets really move every part of their body?

From eyebrows, to lips to some special scenes where the woman can suddenly stick out her eyes and tongue to turn into a demon (that one is quite ugly by the way), everything can be moved. All women puppets have no legs and seem as though they are kneeling. Saves on material used.

So what are Bunraku stories about?

In Meiji period onwards, the kabuki suffered from censorship because of its themes on loyalty, suicide etc themes considered feudalistic and non advanced.  Perhaps bunraku suffered in that stream, but not so, although the stories were more or less the same. The stories told of filial love, sacrifices for lords and master, tragedy and moral righteousness. Both differed from Noh's death and enlightenement Buddhist theme.

Audience wise, Kyoto people patronised Noh more and Osaka people appreciated craftsmanship, thus Bunraku flourished greatly in Osaka. Along came a man called Uemura Bunraku-ken from Awaji and began a great line of puppet theatre producers. Thus puppetry in Japan is called Bunraku today.