Transcript What is Bunraku? - Writing Composition

What is Bunraku?
Bunraku
This is a Japanese
form of puppet theater
used to depict
Japanese culture.
It is the most
developed puppetry in
the world.
Considered a serious
art form~not as
entertainment for
children.
It is a narrative chanting and a shamisen
instrument is used to accompany the
bunraku.
It is the most representative form of public
theater.
Originated in the 17th century.
It is a form of Japanese drama.
It is referred to as a Double Triangle
(Sangyo)- Which means a triangle within a
triangle. (See triangle on board)
The Double Triangle
One triangle is
considered because
there are three
puppeteers per puppet.
The other triangle is
because in the show
there are the puppet, the
singer, and shamisen
player.
Originally there was
only one puppeteer.
In Japan the bunraku is
known as ningyo-joruri
which means puppetsstorytelling
History of Bunraku
Japanese culture claims
that a puppet troupe from
Osaka had come to
Shikoku, an island, and
snow had trapped them
there for several weeks in
the 1830’s. Thus, when
they could leave they left
several puppets behind so
the idea culturally
assimilated.
Bunraku is about 400
years old.
It became an
important part of their
folk culture which is
important considering
in Japan your rights to
teach your art are
determined by your
hierarchy standing.
History Continued
Bunraku flourished
because the merchant
class wanted and
looked for
entertainment.
Gidaya is the most
famous of all bunraku
narrators or writers.
The Puppets
These puppets have no strings.
In early days the puppeteers were hidden behind a
curtain, but that changed.
These puppets are large~ about half life size.
The puppets are operated by three puppeteers.
Puppet is called a gyonin.
Eyes, eyebrows, mouths, hands, and arms can
move.
Hips are made of bamboo.
Puppets Continued
Arms and legs are
attached by only one
string.
Shoulders are padded
with dried gourd fiber
Can roll eyes and make
fingers into a fist.
These puppets are more
sophisticated than
European puppets.
Puppeteers
Much skill and talent is needed to operate these
puppets.
Only the main puppeteer is visible throughout
the play while the other two are covered in
black outfits. (They must remain invisible to the
audience.)
The least talented (ashidzukai) controls the
feet. If the puppet is female, then this
puppeteer controls the skirt movements because
female puppets don’t have legs. Female
puppets wear tradition Japanese dress known as
a kimono.
The Second and Last Puppeteer
The second most
experienced puppeteer
(hiraridzukai)
controls the left hand
and helps the main
puppeteer.
The last and most
experienced puppeteer
(dedzukai) controls
the right hand and head.
Other Important People
Next to puppeteers comes the tayo or joruri
known to us as the performer. He is the
storyteller and singer. He is also the narrator
who recites the story in a mixture of chanting
and emotional telling.
They must have a strong voice and be able to
get emotions across to the audience.
The songs are sung using a breathing
technique which involves inhaling from the
belly not the chest because the length of a
performance makes them need more breath.
Last Part of Double Triangle
The last part of the
triangle is the
shamisen player.
A shamisen is an ancient
Japanese guitar-like
instrument with only three
strings.
It can be used to create
both sound effects and
meditative music.
Originally a Japanese lute
was used.
Plays
Many bunraku plays are historical and deal with
the common Japanes theme of girl and ninjo.
Another common theme deals with the external
conflict that exists between social obligations
and human emotions.
One of the most famous plays Keisei Awa no
Naruto is about a sumari, who has taken it upon
himself to find his master’s lost sword. He and his
wife go in search of the sword so they must leave
their infant daughter in the care of her
grandmother for her own safety. He joins a band
of thieves to allow himself
Play Continued
Access to where the sword might be. He
searches for ten years with no luck.
Plays were used in a formal context in
religious ritual at shrines and temples.
Dealt with tales of heroism and tragedy,
typical elements of dramas.
Also dealt with legends of the history of
warfare.
Tradition
Bunraku is passed
down from father to
eldest son.
Must go through ten
year apprenticeship.
Long ago women were
not allowed to
participate, for
Japanese authorities
questioned women’s
morals so they did not
want women’s
influence on their
plays.
The Tradition of Today
Now women can perform in the plays as
puppeteers.
The government in Japan now funds bunraku.
The government opened the National Theater in
Tokyo. This was important because before this,
the puppeteers had to be traveling puppeteers;
whereas, now they have a permanent place to
perform.
In 1985, National Bunraku Theater opened in
Osaka, the original home of bunraku.